Bearded Reedling

(Panurus biarmicus)

Category of conservation concern (IUCN, 2020) – Least Concern

Population size: 2020: 76-167 pairs (2007: 200-600 pairs)

Distribution pattern

With limited distribution, grouped mainly along the Black Sea coast (the Burgas wetlands, the Varna-Beloslav Lake Complex and the Northern Black Sea wetlands), along the Danube River (Orsoya and Kalimok fishponds and Srebarna lake). With isolated localities in the Danubian Plain, the Sofia Field and the Thracian Plain.

Population estimation for the period 2013 – 2020:  In 25 squares in which the species was reported as breeding in 2013, there is no new data confirming the presence of the species. In many of these squares, the Bearded Reedling has never been established as breeding, probably migrants or stray birds have been observed. The status of the species in the reed massifs in part of the Black Sea marshes south of Sozopol, as well as in the Danube wetlands, has not been clarified. These are potential breeding sites that need more detailed research.

Population size in Special Protection Areas of Natura 2000: The entire population is found in Natura-2000 Bird Areas. The highest numbers have been registered in the SPAs “Durankulak Lake” (13-45 pairs), “Atanasovsko Lake” (15-35 pairs), “Burgas Lake” (9-22 pairs), and “Rayanovtsi” (10-15 pairs).

Comparative distribution of the species compared to the first breeding birds atlas (Iankov, 2007): Breeding locality until 2007 | Breeding locality until 2007, confirmed after 2015 – | New breeding locality after 2015. – The breeding localities after 2015 are identified on a base of raw data from smartbirds.org.

Habitats

Breeds in bogs and marshes, in water fringe vegetation, mainly in reed beds of Phragmites australis.

Trends in population changes for the period 2013-2020

Threats

Drainage of wetlands. Damage to habitats due to large-scale fires in reeds. Cold and snowy winter conditions.

Girgina Daskalova, Petar Shurulinkov