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Overview
The delta of the Danube River represents one of the last natural paradises in Europe, a network of channels, lakes, and lushly vegetated forests. It is home to a fascinating mix of cultures and peoples—and a huge diversity of birds, presided over by the greatest of them all, the pelican.
Occupying some 5800 sq.km, the Danube Delta is the second largest in Europe, after the Volga Delta. It was formed approximately 12,000 years ago at the point where the Danube flows into the Black Sea. The Danube arises in the German Black Forest and flows across 10 countries, a distance of 2,860 km. It flows into the Black Sea as three main branches: the Chilia, Sulina, and Sf.Gheorghe (Saint George).
The Danube Delta has a human population of around 15,000, living in 25 villages. The largest town is Sulina, situated at the very eastern point of Romania, with around 5,000 inhabitats. The population is made up of a Romanian majority living in natural harmony with more than 15 minority groups including Lipovans, Ukrainians, Turks, Tatars, Greeks, Italians, and others.
Impassioned ornithologists and birders can admire approximately 330 species of birds over the course of the year, many of them otherwise very rare in Europe.
Birds
Notable Species
The quintessential Danube Delta bird is the Pelican, represented by both European species: the Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) and the White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus).
Other notable birds found n the Delta include Saker Falcon(Falco cherrug), White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus), Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis; winter only), European Roller (Coracias garrulus), European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster), Syrian Woodpecker (Dendrocopos syriacus), Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), and a host of others. More pictures with birds of Danube Delta
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Glossy Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Great White Pelican, Dalmatian Pelican, Great Cormorant, Pygmy Cormorant, Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Great White Heron, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis, White Stork, Mute Swan, Greater White-fronted Goose, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Red-breasted Goose, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, White-headed Duck, White-tailed Eagle, Osprey, Western Marsh Harrier, Saker Falcon, Red-footed Falcon, Slender-billed Curlew, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Black Tern, Whiskered Tern, European Roller, European Bee-eater, Syrian Woodpecker
Other Wildlife
The fauna includes many species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, as well as 3,018 species of invertebrates.
The most common mammals include the Otter (Lutra lutra), with one of the most significant populations in Europe; the Wild Cat (Felix silvestris); Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides); and Wild Boar (Sus scrofa).
Reptiles are well represented by the Dice Snake (Natrix tessellata), Grass Snake (Natrix natrix), Spur–thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca), and European Pond Terrapin (Emys orbicularis); a variety of lizards is also present.
Fish are also richly represented in the Danube Delta. The main species are carp (Cyprinus carpio), catfish(Silurus glanis), pike (Esox lucius), sander (Stizostedion lucioperca), and sturgeons. As a curiosity, the smallest fish recorded in the Danube is a chub no longer than 3.2 cm. Also, the biggest pike ever captured weighed 18 kg and was over 1 meter long; the largest catfish weigh nearly 400 kg!
Site Information
The Danube Delta is a refuge for people like you who love the peace and quiet of nature. As you explore the vast complex of lakes and channels, you will discover a dreamworld still untrammeled by human intervention.
History and Use
All of the Danube Delta was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1990. It is part of the world’s natural patrimony, and is managed by a state institution located in the town of Tulcea. The managing body is overseen by a governor.
The main objective of the DDBRA (www.ddbra.ro)is to preserve and protect the huge natural patrimony that still persists in this natural paradise.
Another main objective of the DDBRA is the ecological reconstruction of areas destroyed by the impact of human activities, mostly during the communist period.
Areas of Interest
To do
Access and Facilities
To do You can reach Danube Delta through Tulcea City or Murighiol Village. This are the most important"gates" to enter into Paradise. Tulcea. The biggest city in Danube Delta is at the end of the road from Bucharest (about 300 km). From Bucharest you head to Constanta on A2 Highway till Cernavoda, exit from the highway, cross Cernavoda an head to Saraiu, to Saraiu turn right and follow the way to Tulcea. Murighiol. From Tulcea you head to Murighiol on the local way for about 45km. From here is only water and you need to rent a boat
Contact Details
To do For general information about Danube Delta you can see the official website of the Administration of Danube Delta; www.ddbra.ro For a professional opinion or birdwatching or photography tours in Danube Delta you can find information on www.fotodelta.ro.
