Golden Sands Nature Park

Golden Sands Nature Park is a national park on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast in Varna Province. It is spread on an area of 1320.7 hectares. The park is 9.2 km long and on the average 1.2 km wide; it was declared a protected territory in 1943 (under the name Hachuka State Forest). According to the criteria of the World Conservation Union, it ranks fifth category on the list of protected territories.
Under protection are 20 other rare and endangered species (snowdrop, Caucasian primula, orchids, etc.) The flora of the park includes a total of about 500 plant species.
Two amphibious, 8 reptile, 78 avian and 25 mammal species inhabit the park. The water-covered areas are populated by amphibious species. Among the variety of reptiles some protected species are Aesculapian snake, green whip snake, and tortoise. Of the 78 avian species most common are blackbirds, thrushes, tits, woodpeckers, jays, and common buzzards. Of the predatory birds the most common are goshawks, eagle owls, and tawny owls. In the water basins nest moorhens and green-headed duck.