The slopes surrounding the dam are covered with mixed broadleaf forests of oak and hornbeam, bushes of Christ’s thorn, white jasmine, prickly juniper and a variety of grass communities. A considerable part of the area is occupied by rock complexes. The animals here include: Balkan glass-snake, Aesculapian snake, Hermann’s and spur-thighed tortoises, black-eared wheatear, Sardinian warbler, black stork, wolf, beech marten, wild boar, fallow deer and other. There are 219 bird species established in the region; 91 of them are included in the Bulgarian Red List, and 103 have conservation significance on a European level.

Studen Kladenets has a global significance as a representative site of the Mediterranean biome, and it is also one of the most important areas for the conservation of the cinereous, griffon and Egyptian vultures. Studen Kladenets holds 3 pairs of Egyptian vultures and two more pairs breed in its near surroundings, and the SPA is qualified as one of the most important sites for the species at EU level. More than half of the Griffon vulture pairs in Bulgaria breed here. The largest permanent roosting sites is situated in the territory of Studen Kladenets and usually between 50 and 120 Griffon vultures are roosting here in the pre breeding season. The site is the one of the most important for the Cinereous vulture. The last record of nesting pair of Cinereous vultures in Bulgaria was recorded in the area in 1993. Afterwards, several pairs with breeding behaviour were registered, but an active nest has never been found. Studen Kladenets SPA has been identified as one of the most important sites for foraging of the species in Bulgaria. The feeding site located there is regularly visited by both Black and Griffon vultures. Studen Kladenets is one of the most important areas for Cinereous vultures, staging in the Bulgarian side of the Mountain.

The main occupation of the local people is traditional (extensive) animal husbandry, agriculture, and forestry.

As in most southern, dryer areas, forest fires are a major threat here. The depopulation of the region leads to a decline in the numbers of livestock and to an overgrowing of pastures. Illegal logging, poaching, poisoning, unprotected electricity poles, disturbance by extreme sports activities and investment plans pose a threat to the biodiversity in the region.

At present, 14% of the area of Studen Kladenets is protected as a reserve, and there are three protected areas. Valchi Dol Reserve aims at the conservation and protection of the griffon vulture colony, together with other rare and endangered bird species, typical for the Eastern Rhodopes. In 1989 the area was declared as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.

Most of the area is occupied by broadleaf dry-tolerant forests, arable land, grass and bush communities mixed with Mediterranean flora like prickly juniper, white thorn and white jasmine. Among the animals here can be observed: southern crested newt, agile frog, five-streaked and Erhard’s wall lizards, green whip snake, Hermann’s and spur-thighed tortoises, roe deer, beech marten, forest dormouse, wild cat, red fox, bat species and other. Most Arda is one of the most important SPAs in the country for the Egyptian vulture, the Imperial eagle, the Black stork and the Stone curlew Burhinus oedicnemus. The Arda Bridge is important site on a European level for the Scops owl Otus scops and the Blue rock thrush Monticola solitarius.

Out of the 142 bird species here, 47 are included in the Bulgarian Red List, and 65 have conservation significance on a European level. The area also harbours 43 species listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive. Most of the Arda area is an important site for the conservation of southern, cold-sensitive species like black-eared wheatear, olive-tree warbler, masked shrike and other.

As a natural corridor, Most Arda connects vulture colonies in Madzharovo and Studen Kladenets. It is an important roosting site, with 2–15 birds regularly using it during the pre-breeding season.

Livestock breeding is prevalent but declining, leading to reduced grazing and habitat degradation.

Major threats include habitat loss, wind turbine development, and unregulated tourism, which could disturb species and habitats.

11.5% of the area is protected by national legislation and overlaps with the Dolinata na Arda CORINE site.

Byala Reka Special Protection Area (SPA) is located in southern Bulgaria, next to the national border with Greece. It covers the catchment area of the Byala River in the furthermost south-eastern part of the Eastern Rhodope Mountains, alongside with its surrounding hills.

The region is characterized by sporadically occurring individual cliffs. Around the villages there are small plots of arable land. The strong influence of the Mediterranean climate in the area dictates high flora diversity, with a wide distribution of mixed oak forests and bush. Due to the thin human presence in this border region, there still remain forests of Fagus moesiaca and Quercus petraea. The fauna is represented by over a hundred species of butterflies, Rhodopean loach, snake-eyed lizard, true and marsh tortoises, olive-tree warbler, subalpine warbler, nightjar, masked shrike, Levant sparrowhawk, wolf, roe deer, bat species and other.

The area boasts with 167 species of birds; 46 of them are included in the Bulgarian Red List, and 67 have conservation significance on a European level. Byala Reka is one of the most important sites in Bulgaria on a European Union scale for the breeding of the Black Stork, Honey Buzzard, Booted eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk, Olive-tree Warbler and Masked Shrike.

Byala Reka is globally significant as a representative area of the Mediterranean biome. It contains important feeding and resting sites for two globally threatened species: the cinereous and the Egyptian vultures. Byala reka SPA is the most important site for the Cinereous Vulture in Bulgaria. It is a former breeding site and the closest one to the only one existing colony of Cinereous vultures on the Balkans in Dadia, Greece. The area is being used as a foraging site, and up to 30 Cinereous vultures can be found roosting or perching in the vicinity of an existing feeding place. The site is an important stopover site and natural “bridge” before the birds fly to the area of Studen Kladenets. The main flyway route of Cinereous vultures from Greece and backwards is passing through this territory, where some birds are also staging for certain periods of time.

The main sources of living in the area are the extensive traditional animal husbandry, agriculture, and forestry.

As many depopulated regions in the country, the area shows a decline in the numbers of livestock, which in turn diminishes the natural food sources for the vultures. Other threats include poaching, fires, unprotected electric poles, investment plans (wind generators, solar parks, small water plants); these activities lead to loss of biodiversity.

About 7.11% of the territory of Madzharovo is under legal protection as protected site under Bulgarian Protected areas Act. The ‘Patronka’ protected site was designated to protect the breeding colony of Griffon Vultures.

The diverse relief, composed of rock complexes, rocky screes and land, determines the mosaic distribution of trees, bushes, and grass. The arable land is located mostly on the higher grounds of the valley. Among the animals here can be seen: great toad, European blind snake, sand boa, Hermann’s and spur-thighed tortoises, rufous-tailed rock thrush, rock nuthatch, peregrine falcon, wild cat, hare, wolf, wild boar and other.

The territory of Madzharovo supports 174 bird species, 69 of which are listed in the Red Data Book for Bulgaria. The site harbours 78 species of European conservation concern.

The area is globally significant as a representative site of the Mediterranean biome. Located here is one of the two griffon vulture colonies in Bulgaria. Madzharovo is among the most important Bulgarian sites for the protection and conservation of birds of prey, in particular the globally threatened Egyptian vulture. Madzharovo is holding 2 pairs of the Egyptian Vulture in Bulgaria (LIFE NAT/BG/00874, 2021) and the SPA is qualified as one of the most important sites for the species at EU level. Madzharovo is one of the most important breeding area of Griffon vultures in Bulgaria. The breeding population numbers 35 pairs (30 % of the national population) of Griffon vultures. The site is of great importance as a roosting site for the immature, as usually about 30 to 55 vultures are regularly using the area in the pre breeding period. It is a foraging area for Cinereous vultures.

Up to the early 1990’s the area around the town of Madzharovo was characterized with a well-developed mining industry. Today, locals rely on animal husbandry and small-scale agriculture. Nature based tourism has a big potential for enhancing the economic growth of the area and is already slowly being developed.

Due to the depopulation of the area, the number of extensively bred livestock is in decline. This is causing the diminishing food sources for the vultures and undergrowth of the pastures, leading to loss of biodiversity. Other problems and threats are poaching, potential disturbance of the nesting birds, fires, investment plans for small water plants and wind turbines.

About 3.8% of the area is designated as protected site, The Byala Reka meanders under Bulgarian Protected areas Act. “Byala Reka Meanders” is a protected site aimed at the conservation of threatened bird species, including the Egyptian vulture and the golden eagle, as well as that of riverbank habitats.

Krumovitsa Special Protection Area (SPA) is located in southern Bulgaria and includes the valleys in the middle course of Krumovitsa River, along with the valley of Dusun Dere River and the neighbouring hills and slopes of the Eastern Rhodope Mountains. The area also covers the surroundings of Gorna Kula and Chal villages.

Along the banks of the rivers there are poplar trees, willows, black alder and dense bush (brambles and dog rose). Animals inhabiting the area are light green whip snake, European blind snake, Hermann’s and spur-thighed tortoises, rock nuthatch, black-eared wheatear, black stork, booted eagle, wolf, wild boar, roe deer and other.

There are 136 bird species in the Krumovitsa region; 46 of them are included in the Bulgarian Red List. Krumovitsa is one of the most important SPAs in the country for the breeding Egyptian Vulture, Booted eagle, Black Stork, and Olive-tree Warbler. Seven biome-restricted species, typical for the Mediterranean zone out of 9 established in Bulgaria, occur there: Black-eared Wheatear, Olive-tree Warbler, Sub-alpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans, Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala, Rock Nuthatch Sitta neumayer, Masked Shrike and Black-headed Bunting.

The area has a global significance as a representative area of the Mediterranean biome. It is among the most important areas for the conservation of the globally threatened Egyptian vultures. The site is intensively used for foraging site by wandering Griffon and Cinereous vultures. The open landscape of the site and the high domestic animals’ density defines the site as one of the most important foraging areas for the Griffon vulture. The species has disappeared as e nesting one, but still the site has available nesting habitat and as a natural linkage to Greece. Because of the permanent air currents over the ridges combined with food availability (wolves kills) the area is often used by both Griffon and Cinereous vultures for foraging. The site was also established to be on the main fly way path for the Cinereous vultures coming to forage in Studen kladenets area from the breeding colony in Dadia national park. The last case of a Cinereous vulture pair with breeding behaviour was registered in the site in 2012, but no nest was found. However, the site offers suitable breeding and foraging habitats for the Cinereous vultures and lies at the main flight corridor of the species between the DLSFNP colony and the foraging habitats in the Bulgarian part of the Mountain.

Agriculture, forestry and (extensive) animal husbandry.

The depopulation in the area leads to a decline in the numbers of livestock and thence – in the number of carcasses. This diminishes to a great extent the natural food sources for the vultures. Fires, poaching, poisoned baits, electricity network and investment plans with no consideration for nature are among the threats for wildlife in the area.

Threats include habitat loss from wind turbine farms and gold mining, dangerous power lines, and conversion of pastures to arable land.

About 10% of Krumovitsa overlaps with the Arda Valley CORINE site. While lacking comprehensive protection, the site remains critical for conservation efforts.

The National Park of Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli is located in the center of Evros region and in the fingertips of the Rhodopi Mountain. It consists of low forested hills with plenty of small valleys and few agricultural lands. It belongs to the Soufli municipality.

The site has a significant ecological value due to the presence of a great number of birds of prey; many of them are rare in Europe. The area is an important biotope for many reptiles and birds as a result of the site location; it is a cross road for migrating birds as well as an ideal nesting point. This is a very important site for breeding and wintering raptors, with 36 diurnal species recorded. Breeding birds include eight of the 21 species that are restricted in Europe to the Mediterranean biome.

The Dadia forest is situated on a low altitude zone and the dominant topographical feature of the park is a network of low hills and hill chains, generally of moderate slopes, separated by valleys containing temporary streams.

The National Park is dominated by woodlands. More than 70% of the area is covered by oak and pine forest, either in pure or in mixed condition. The rest of the area is agricultural land (15%), open plains (9%) and villages/roads (3%).

The mosaic of habitats and the low exploitation of natural resources have contributed to the high biodiversity of the area, where unique and rare species of flora and fauna occur. During the last 20 years important number of flora and fauna species were recorded and studied in the area and is consisted: ca 360–400 species of plants, including 25 orchids, 104 butterflies making it one of the 10 prime butterfly areas in Greece, 12–13 amphibians and 29 reptiles making it one of the highest reptiles’ densities area in Europe. 60-65 five mammal species were found in the area, 24 of which are bats and most of them endangered species. Moreover, at least 17 fish species and at least 371 invertebrate species have been recorded. Totally 203 birds species (breeding: 132) have been recorded, among them 36 diurnal and 7 nocturnal raptorial species.

Raptors are of particular interest, not only because of the high number of species found in the National Park and especially inside the project area, but also because of the large populations of some of them. The Lesser Spotted Eagle and the Short-toed Eagle occur in larger populations compared to other parts of Greece, while the Black Vulture population constitutes the last breeding colony in Greece and the Balkan Peninsula over the past 2 decades. A large population of Black Stork is also present in the area.

This area is a critical breeding and foraging ground for raptors and a vital link between vulture populations in Greece and Bulgaria. It also serves as a stopover and staging area for migrating birds. The site is very important since it holds the biggest breeding colony of Eurasian Black vulture (35 pairs, source Dadia-Lefkimmi-Souflu National Park Management Body data) in the Balkan Peninsula. It also holds the 60% of the National Egyptian vulture population (3 pairs) Griffon Vulture are breeding in lower numbers (0-2 pairs, source DNP Management Body data) even though the site hosts high concentrations of Balkan Griffon vultures (NE Italy, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria) all the year round but mainly in autumn (max 115 individuals in 2009) recorded in Dadia feeding station. The Dadia vultures’ populations are well-connected with the ones of Eastern Rhodopes in Bulgaria related to wintering, migrating and foraging movements. Besides that, this site was severely affected by wildfires in 2022 and 2023 and urgent preventive and mitigation measures are needed to halt the primary breeding habitat for the Cinereous vultures.

Traditional farming, livestock grazing, and forestry are the main activities sustaining the local economy and maintaining biodiversity.

Major threats include wildfires, intensive forest management, and poisoning aimed at controlling predators, which indirectly impacts scavenger species like vultures.

Dadia Forest was declared as Protected Area in 1980 with two core zones and a buffer zone. In 2006, the conservation status was improved, and Dadia Forest was declared as National Park keeping the same area of c. 42,800 ha where 7,800 ha are included in the strict protection zone.

This site is situated in North East Greece next to Bulgarian border. It belongs to the Soufli municipality and the majority of the villages are traditional Pomak villages. The site encompasses the catchment of Diavolorema river that creates deep and steep slopes.

It is an important area mainly for breeding raptors, forest, agriculture and shrub land species, as well as migratory raptors. It is of vital importance for the feeding of the unique Cinereous Vulture population of Greece. Priority species include: Black Stork, Egyptian Vulture (1 pair) Cinereous Vulture, Short toed Eagle, Golden Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle and Booted Eagle. The area is also considered to be of importance for rare breeding passerines such as Semicollared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata and Barred Wabler Sylvia nisoria.

The area is situated next to the Dadia National Park, and it is frequently used by Griffon and Black vultures as a foraging area. The Egyptian vulture is foraging in the area but is not breeding.

Forestry and animal husbandry are the main occupations of the residents. Oak forest is exploited for fire wood, while beech and pine forest for industrial wood. The forest management is more intensive in the oak forests as demand for fire wood is high. The livestock breeding is still active in the Pomak villages, however this activity gradually is abandoned.

The reduction of livestock is an ongoing threat to the availability of food for the vultures, but also for the maintenance of open forests. An ongoing threat is also the illegal use of poisoned baits for foxes, wolves, or due to the poisoning of dogs as a result of informal resolving of rivalries between shepherds and hunters for the loss of their dogs. The intense forest management with the removal of mature trees threatens the breeding sites of raptors and other birds like woodpeckers. There are few wind turbines in this site, but the number of planned wind farms is very high, and this is a potentially high risk to raptors and vultures.

Wildlife refuge and IBA (GR005).

Stena Nestou comprises forested gorges and agricultural areas. It supports key raptor species, including Griffon vultures, Short-toed Eagles, and Peregrine Falcons. Historically, it hosted one of Greece’s largest Griffon vulture breeding colonies.

The area serves as a critical foraging ground for raptors and a potential breeding site for Griffon vultures. It also supports other important Mediterranean species.

Livestock and farming are the main economic activities but are declining due to rural depopulation.

Key threats include sand quarries, wind farms, habitat abandonment, and illegal poisoning.

Stena Nestou is part of the Natura 2000 network and designated as a Wildlife Refuge and Aesthetic Forest.

The site of Filiouri valley is located in north-east Greece, next to the border with Bulgaria. The Pomak villages spread in the site belong to the Arriana municipality. The site encompasses the catchment of Filiouri river with deep and steep valley.

The main vegetation consists of maquis with sparse stands of grazed oak forests. Beech forests with overripe trees are situated near the border with Bulgaria.  This is an important site for breeding and passage raptors and species associated with forest and scrub. Plenty of rocky outcrops inside the deep valleys form suitable nesting sites for species of concern include: Egyptian Vulture Short-toed Eagle, Golden Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Syrian Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Semicollard Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike, Ortolan Bunting.

It is of vital importance for the feeding of the unique Cinereous Vulture population of Greece (that breeds at the neighbouring SPA GR1110002) and foraging and roosting site for Griffon vulture (source LIFE 14 NAT/NL/000901). The site presents important foraging areas for the Cinereous vulture and harbours many flying and wandering birds due to the traditional extensive husbandry practices that occur there.

Land-use is traditional and non-intensive. Main uses of the area are the extensive agriculture and livestock breeding. The presence of Pomak communities has perpetuated traditional extensive land use and contributed to the significant biodiversity of the area.

The main threats are from illegal use of poisoned baits for raptors, road construction, deforestation, intensified forest management, locally overgrazing and illegal hunting. The planned infrastructure of a large number of wind farms in the area is expected to affect breeding raptors and migratory species passing through the area, as well as in the Cinereous Vulture that feeds and roosts and Egyptian Vulture that breeds in this area.

The Filiouri valley, is included in the networks of the Special Protected Areas, the Sites of Community Importance and the Important Bird Areas.

The Special Protected Area of Kompsatos valley is located in North East Greece, next to the border with Bulgaria. It belongs to the Iasmos municipality, the nearest large village. Ruins of old small villages are found in the higher parts of the site. The Kompsatos river crosses the valley, creating deep and steep slopes.

This deep valley is surrounded by hills covered with deciduous broadleaved forest (mainly mature oak forest), scrubland and grassland. In some areas of the river, important habitats are present as dense riparian forest of willows and poplars or sandbanks adjoining meadows and small fields. Many cliffs are scattered on steep slopes, with the most impressive of these, the Thracian Meteora. This is a very important site for breeding and passage raptors, as well as forest species. Twenty-eight species of raptors have been recorded, of which 17 as breeding. Species of concern include:White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla, Griffon Vulture (2-4 pairs), Cinereous Vulture, Egyptian Vulture (1 pair), Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca, Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus, Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius, Semicollared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata, Ortolan Bunting Emperiza hortulana.

This site is one of the most important foraging areas for Griffon vultures, and especially for the targeted Cinereous vulture, outside its core breeding areas in DLSFNP.

The main human activity is livestock breeding (nomadic among seasons) and forestry.

The main threats are the degradation of forest from intensive grazing by goats, which causes erosion and floods in the lower parts of the valley. The previous intensive forest management with the removal of mature forest trees and the replacement of mature oak forests with coniferous plantations resulted in the degradation of the landscape and of raptor and forest species habitats. The illegal use of poisoned baits both by livestock farmers and hunters affects negatively to the scavengers’ population. There are plans for construction of a dam on the River Kompsatos and installation of wind farms that will affect negatively the vultures and raptors and their habitats.

The Kompsatos valley, is included in the networks of the Special Protected Areas, the Sites of Community Importance and the Important Bird Areas.

This site is located in the Evros region of Greece, covering a total area of 29,275 hectares. It is protected under the SPA (GR1110009) designation and includes a Wildlife Refuge and IBA (GR005).

The area features diverse habitats, including forests and agricultural lands. The decline of small-scale livestock breeding has limited suitable biotopes for raptors. This site is a critical breeding and wintering ground for raptors and forest-associated species, such as White-tailed Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, and Booted Eagle. Wildfires in 2009, 2011, and 2020 have significantly affected the region. It hosts several priority species, including Golden Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, and Lesser Kestrel.

Notio Dasiko Symplegma Evrou provides foraging grounds for the Cinereous Vulture that was also affected by the wildfire from 2023. The area’s rocky outcrops are essential nesting sites for vultures, a colony of Griffon Vultures (5-8 pairs) also resides here.

The region’s primary activities include forestry, agriculture, livestock breeding, and mining. The local economy is influenced by traditional practices, although these are diminishing due to rural depopulation and industrial activities.

Key threats include afforestation with non-native species, as key habitats include areas impacted by afforestation with pine plantations and the removal of mature trees. Other treats include removal of mature trees, reduced livestock numbers impacting food availability for scavengers, and the use of poisoned baits. The installation of wind farms and recurrent large-scale forest fires have exacerbated habitat loss and fragmentation.

Notio Dasiko Symplegma Evrou is recognized as an SPA under the Natura 2000 network. The site is a Wildlife Refuge and Important Bird Area, contributing to the conservation of species at the EU level.