Orlitsata Reserve - Kotel

Overview

Orlitsata (The Eagle) is a reserve in the Eastern Stara Planina. It is located in the lands of the town of Kotel and the village of Medven, about 5 km away from each of the two settlements. The reserve is located in the eastern part ("White Shores") of the Kotel Mountains. It was established on August 10, 1984 by order of the then Committee for Environmental Protection. The purpose of turning the area into a reserve is to protect primary ecosystems of Moesian beech, habitats of rare birds of prey and a unique karst complex. The reserve thus created includes the Beli Bryag Reserve and the natural landmarks Orlitsa and Medvenski Izvori. A buffer zone has been created to the Ovcharitsa Reserve, including forest massifs and pastures. 296 species of higher plants have been identified on the territory of the reserve, seven of which are of conservation importance. These are old licorice, male fern, thin-leaved rabbit shade, yarrow, trinine-leaved gnawing, broad-leaved willow and crested male fern. In addition to primary primary deciduous forests of Moesian beech and hornbeam, the reserve also includes goruna plantations, with the participation of common and hornbeam, as well as mixed oak forests of cer and blagun. Together with the nearby maintained reserve "Ardachlaka" and the natural landmarks "Zlosten" (358 ha), "Orlovi peshteri" (5 ha) and "Urushki skali" (10 ha), the reserve "Orlitsata" is an important important ornithological site, considered one of the most ornithologically important places in the Eastern Balkan Mountains. On its territory there are Egyptian vulture, snake eagle, small bald eagle, reed warbler, small hawk, spotted woodpecker, white-backed woodpecker and others. 18 of the registered 70 bird species are included in the Red Book of Bulgaria. A total of 176 bird species have been identified throughout the Kotlenska Mountain, of which 50 are included in the Red Book. The other representatives of the fauna are the mammals typical for Stara Planina, such as European wolf, jackal, wild boar, Eastern European hedgehog, fox, wild cat, deer, badger.