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RO085
Blahniţa
Location Romania, Mehedinti
Central coordinates 22o 37.70' East  44o 25.97' North
IBA criteria C1, C2, C3, C6
Area 45,286 ha
Altitude 30 - 312m
Year of IBA assessment 2007

Romanian Ornithological Society



Ornithological information This is an important site for breeding wetland species. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Phalacrocorax pygmeus (passage).

Site description A natural wetland which has partially been converted into over 20 fish-ponds. Aquatic vegetation, including reedbeds (Phragmites), is abundant and covers approximately 60% of the site. Surrounding the ponds are sand-hills, uncultivated areas, a Robinia plantation and grassland.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca breeding  1990-2006  100-120 breeding pairs  good  C1, C6  Near Threatened 
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia breeding  1990-2006  54-68 breeding pairs  good  C2, C6  Least Concern 
Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris breeding  1990-2006  28-44 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus breeding  1990-2006  120-140 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Black-crowned Night-heron Nycticorax nycticorax breeding  1990-2006  380-440 breeding pairs  good  C2, C6  Least Concern 
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides breeding  1990-2006  160-230 breeding pairs  good  C2, C6  Least Concern 
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea breeding  1990-2006  90-100 breeding pairs  good  C2, C6  Least Concern 
Great Egret Casmerodius albus breeding  1990-2006  40-60 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Little Egret Egretta garzetta breeding  1990-2006  420-560 breeding pairs  good  C2, C6  Least Concern 
Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus breeding  1990-2006  90-120 breeding pairs  good  C2  Least Concern 
Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus winter  1990-2006  240 individuals  good  C2  Least Concern 
Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus passage  1990-2006  700-800 individuals  good  C2  Least Concern 
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo passage  1990-2006  1,600-3,000 individuals  good  C3  Least Concern 
Western Marsh-harrier Circus aeruginosus breeding  1990-2006  20-30 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa passage  1990-2006  340-420 individuals  good  C1  Near Threatened 
Common Tern Sterna hirundo breeding  1990-2006  90-100 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
European Roller Coracias garrulus breeding  1990-2006  170-180 breeding pairs  good  C1, C6  Near Threatened 

Protected areas

Protected area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)  
BlahniÅa - ROSPA0011 Birds Directive 45,273 is identical to site 44,768  
PÄdurea Stârmina - ROSCI0173 Habitats Directive 123 protected area contained by site 123  

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Shrubland   5%
Grassland   5%
Wetlands (inland) Standing freshwater; Water fringe vegetation  90%

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture 5%
fisheries/aquaculture 70%

Management considerations The main threat to birds is posed by reedbed burning. In recent years the reed has begun to encroach on areas of open water and muddy shore, reducing the overall area of these habitats. A management plan exists for the site.

Protection status National None International None

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Blahniţa. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 20/06/2013

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife