Văcărești Natural Park– paradise in the middle of Bucharest, the biggestnatural urban park of Europe

Delta Văcărești, as it is also called, is a unique formation of urban wetlands, supplied by underground springs,that has been made during 20 years, on the site of former hydrological project. A beautiful story about nature that was set and developed without human interference, in the middle of the country’s most crowded city, city of Bucharest.

It is a wet ecosystem laying out on 190 ha,made up of wetlands, waterholes, rush-bed, willow-grove, poplar nests, rush and rattan curtains. In this habitat live many species of water birds, species ofreptile, insects, frogs and even mammals. The park shelters presently over 97 species of birds, of which56in various stages of protection, birds that are nesting, feeding and breeding here.

We can notice especially the water species: herons, tufts, cormorants, geese andwild ducks, egrets, fishers, swans, coots. There are other rare migrating birds and singing birds, finches, gold finches, green finches. Besides them, the area accommodates also small mammals such as: foxes, weasels and otters (protected at European level), rabbits, musks. The ecosystem is diverse and includes reptiles, amphibiansandinvertebrates,as well as: tritons, salamanders, green turtles, grey lizard, grass serpent. 

VăcăreștiPark remain the last area from Bucharest,of a larger surface, with specific wetland vegetation, where several of more special species can be found, such as “relict for field” (Menyanthestrifoliata),Linderniaprocumbens (Krocker),Wolffiaarrhiza(very rare species).

A wonderful landscape, that takes the colors of all seasons, may be admired from the 6 km long embankment aimed for refreshing promenades, in an area that offers the cleanest air from Bucharest.  I has become since 2016 a protected area and is managed by AsociațiaParculNaționalVăcărești (Vacaresti National Park Association)

The plans for the preservation of the local ecosystem were developed according to the model of the London Wetlands downtown. The Association works in its projects with well-known environmental organizations, such as: Wetland Link International, Wildfowl and Wetland Trust.  It is a natural oasis of enchantment and relaxation, both for the people living in Bucharest and for tourists that come to visit Bucharest.  

Sources/photo:

https://www.facebook.com/parculnaturalvacaresti/videos/1540712215994124/

parcnaturalvacaresti.ro/ ;