Alepu nature reserve description and photos - Bulgaria: Duni (Topic)

Alepu nature reserve description and photos - Bulgaria: Duni. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photos and a map showing the nearest significant objects.

Photo and description

Alepu nature reserve, which is part of the large Ropotamo nature reserve, is located on the southern coast near Sozopol - about 17 kilometers, near the resort village of Dyuny. Alepu is an estuary, a swampy place overgrown with reeds and various marsh vegetation, it is located behind the bay of the same name. It covers an area of about 167 hectares, the length of the reserve is more than three kilometers, the width is 320 meters, the salinity of the water is from 1.3 to 7.0 ‰. Alepo is separated from the sea coast by a strip of sand dunes; before the construction of the resort and tourist complex there was a wild beach - one of the few in Bulgaria.

Translated from the Greek language, "Alepu" - a fox, therefore, this area is often called the Fox Swamp. The Alepu bog was declared a protected area in 1986. In 2002, it became part of a large wetland - the Ropotamo complex (total area of 5.5 thousand hectares), created to support the rarest biological diversity.

The size of Alepu has recently significantly decreased, now these are two small reservoirs, which are connected only when there is heavy rainfall, this usually happens in spring. The shores are covered with sand, due to inconsistent contact with the sea, the salinity of the water is low. Mostly blue-green, green and some other algae grow in the water, there is little plankton. However, Alepu is home to rare waterfowl, many of which are endangered species. Here mute swan and cormorant nest and winter, various species of herons and ducks, and also the little grebe - the smallest of the waterfowl. In addition, in this area, rare white-tailed eagle nesting sites have been found on the Black Sea coast.

The Alepu Swamp is located on the migration route of a large number of migratory birds. This place is considered a real paradise for bird watchers as it provides a rich base for their exploration. Birds are attracted by the safety of the terrain and large reserves of food.

Recently, there is a huge problem of unregulated fishing and hunting in this protected area. They associate this with the construction of resorts located in close proximity to the reserve.

We also recommend reading Temple of Hao Pha Bang (Haw Pha Bang) description and photos - Laos: Luang Prabang

Topic: Alepu nature reserve description and photos - Bulgaria: Duni.