Treasures of Thrace
Birds have a special place in the wealth of biodiversity that Thrace possesses. Thrace includes habitats of pan-European importance that are protected by the NATURA 2000 network, mainly for large birds of prey and waterfowl, whereas Special Protection Areas (SPAs) have been established for wild birds, in accordance with the EU Directive 79/409/EEC. Three of these areas are now formalised as National Parks (Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufliou Forest, Evros Delta and Eastern Macedonia and Thrace), with the objective of protecting the high diversity of bird species.
Thrace is one of the few regions in Europe where three of the four European vulture species coexist, the globally threatened Egyptian vulture, the cinereous vulture and the Eurasian griffon vulture. In addition, rare birds of prey nest or winter in the wider area. Thrace is also a corridor where birds of prey migrate from Greece and also from the Balkan countries.
This unique bird sanctuary was created thanks to the long presence of people who had a traditional low-intensity agriculture that gave the area a mosaic of habitats. With scattered settlements and small fields dotted throughout the wooded area, along with numerous herds of livestock combined with the use of small-scale burning led to the maintenance of forest openings and grasslands. This diversity has been key to maintaining the high biodiversity of the area.
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