Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
Two freshwater lakes, Mikri and Megali Prespa, in a mountainous area. The lakes have extensive reedbeds (
Phragmites) and small areas of wet meadow. The site lies adjacent to Albanian IBAs 003 and 004 and to site 006 in the FYR Macedonia.
This is an important site for breeding, passage and wintering waterbirds. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria:
Aythya nyroca (3 breeding pairs).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main threats are from hunting, disturbance and agricultural intensification. The area is a candidate SAC.
National Partial
International Partial900 ha of IBA covered by Wildlife Refuge (Vronterou, 900 ha). Part of IBA covered by Wildlife Refuge (Sfina, Prespon, 6,700 ha). 19,470 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Prespes, 19,470 ha). 12 ha of IBA covered by Biogenetic Reserve (Council of Europe) (Ethnikos Drymos Prespon (Dasos Kedron), 12 ha). 8,000 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Lakes Mikri Prespa and Megali Prespa, 8,000 ha). 26,620 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Ethnikos Drymos Prespon, 26,620 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Prespa National Park and Varnountas mountains (Greece). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/prespa-national-park-and-varnountas-mountains-iba-greece on 22/11/2024.
