Prundu with Birds, a strictly protected area in the Danube Delta

Official status and legal framework

• Framing: area strictly protected / scientific reserve within the Dan Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDDBR).
• Official demarcation: the boundaries and area have been described by government decree as the scientific reserve "Bird Plunge Islands".

Year of establishment, regulatory act and administration

• Reference year for official delimitation: 2010 (Government Decision No 1066/2010).
• RBDD basic framework: established by Law No 82/1993, with functional zoning subsequently adopted.
• Administrator: ARBDD - Administration of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve.

Geographical features

• Surface: approx. 187 haincluding the shallows around the islands.
• Earth's core: ~1.4 ha (the two islands proper), shaped like low, sandy atolls.
• Localisation: in the south-western part of Lake Sinoe, close to the shore, in the Razim-Sinoe lagoon area; administratively, the commune of Mihai Viteazu (Constanța County).
• Natural component: Sandy micro-islands/grills, reed margins and halophilous vegetation, Sinoe lagoon waters - key resting and feeding areas for birds.

Biodiversity - flora and fauna (focus on birdlife)

• Flora: psamophilous and halophilous vegetation (pioneer plants of sandy substrate, beach grasses, saline associations).
• Birds:
  • Sterne/Chire: puddle chira, small chira, sandwich chira;
  • Seagulls: including the Pontic gull;
  • Wader species (prundărași, fluierari, sitari);
  • Pelicani: the common pelican and the crested pelican - utilising the area for resting and feeding;
  • Eurasian spoonbill - species of conservation concern, part of mixed colonies.
• Ichthyology & invertebrates: communities typical of lagoons with variable salinity - trophic resource for fish-eating birds.

Ecological role

• Migration node at the Razim-Sinoe interface - the Black Sea coast: island beaches offer nesting places for terns and stopping and feeding places for waterfowl and migratory birds.
• Connectivity with other strictly protected areas south of the Delta (e.g. Ceaplace Island), forming a network of monitored colonies.

Threats and conservation efforts

• Threats:
  • Anthropogenic disturbance (unauthorised landings, approaching boats, drones), especially during the nesting season;
  • Micro-island erosion and sediment dynamics;
  • Predators accidentally landed on islands;
  • Floating waste and microplastics.
• Conservation:
  • Full protection status and monitoring of colonies by the ARBDD;
  • Projects dedicated to the crested pelican and mixed colonies (monitoring, seasonal protection measures, sensitisation of operators).

Access and tourism rules

• Public access is banned in the perimeter Bird Meadow. Activities are only allowed for scientific or management purposes, on the basis of ARBDD authorisations.
• Tourism is conducted only on authorised trails in the vicinity (Razim-Sinoe area), respecting the minimum distances from the colonies and the navigation rules. Remote viewing with authorised guides without landing is recommended.