Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
The western end of a mesotrophic, shallow, natural freshwater lake, shared with Greece (site 047). It is linked to the north with the much larger Lake Megali Prespa and is fed by seasonal streams. The main surface of the Albanian part of the lake is covered by reedbeds and surrounded by rocky scrub. In winter it freezes almost completely. The area is used for many purposes including grazing by large numbers of cattle.
The lake supports very important breeding populations of
Pelecanus crispus and
Phalacrocorax pygmeus although the breeding sites are in the Greek section of the lake, the birds also forage within the Albanian section. In winter the Albanian part of the lake is important for
Phalacrocorax pygmeus, but in general for wintering waterbirds the area is less important as it is covered by ice for several months. Little data are available on breeding birds but
Chlidonias hybridus (30-50 pairs) and
Ixobrychus minutus (2-20 pairs) are known to breed.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main threat to the site is the unsustainable use of water resources: water is extracted to irrigate the plains between Korça and Pogradeci, causing fluctuations and a general reduction of the water-levels and siltation. The Greek side of the lake is protected as a National Park.
National High
International None800 ha of IBA covered by National Park.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lake Mikri Prespa (Albania). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lake-mikri-prespa-iba-albania on 24/11/2024.
