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The Tisata Nature Reserve

Bulgaria has the largest natural juniper forest in Europe

published on 10/17/24 7:50 AM

Photo: pirin.bg

"Exactly 75 years ago, in 1949, the largest natural stand of Greek juniper (Juniperus excelsa) in Europe, the Tisata, at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, was declared a nature reserve.

Greek juniper is a southern protected relict species of Anatolian origin. It can reach a height of 10-15 metres, and in some places the trunks of old trees can reach a diameter of 1 metre. Another endangered species listed in the Red Book of Bulgaria in this area is the European yew. It is an evergreen, extremely slow-growing tree that can reach a height of 30 metres. Its needles contain the alkaloid taxine, which is poisonous to humans and some animals.

The area has a great ornithological diversity - 109 species of birds nest here, 30% of which belong to the southern (Mediterranean) complex - the Blue Rock Thrush, the Western Orphean Warbler, the Sardinian Warbler, the Eastern Subalpine Warbler.

"The area is characterised by its immense ornithological wealth - 109 bird species nest here, 30% of which belong to the southern (Mediterranean) complex, including the Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius), the Orphean Warbler, the Lesser Grey Shrike and the Red-breasted Flycatcher (Sylvia hortensis, Sylvia melanocephala, Sylvia cantillans).

The Tisata is also famous for its rich herpetofauna. Of the 16 species of snakes found in Bulgaria, 11 live in this reserve.

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