• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

Site description (2000 baseline)
An ancient volcano, cut by the gorge of the Arda river. The shingle and sand riverbanks are covered by Salix trees, bushes and other vegetation. There are scattered forests of Quercus and Mediterranean trees (Juniperus, Colutea) on the rocky mountain slopes. Jasminum and Paliurus are predominant in the sclerophyllous shrubland. Land-uses are the extensive rearing of cattle, sheep and goats, forestry and mining. The area is becoming depopulated due to ongoing rural emigration.

Key biodiversity
The site is one of the most important sites in Bulgaria for breeding Ciconia nigra and Otus scops. It also supports the only breeding colony of Gyps fulvus in Bulgaria. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aegypius monachus (common non-breeding resident). Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site: Neophron percnopterus (3 pairs), Circaetus gallicus (1 pair), Bubo bubo (3 pairs).

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Madzharovo (Bulgaria). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/madzharovo-iba-bulgaria on 22/11/2024.