Bern Convention

Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats

This complaint was submitted in 2003 by the BSPB - Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds/BirdLife Bulgaria on the construction of wind parks in the Balchik area.

According to the complainant, this is a threat to the internationally significant numbers of birds for which Balchik is a bottleneck on the “Via Pontica” migratory flyway. The complainant claims that this also includes the globally threatened Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis), which over-winters in the area. Following two on-the-spot appraisals (OSA) in 2005 and 2007, a further OSA in 2018 stated that the impact of wind farms on birds is twofold. Firstly, they can lead to collisions of birds with turbine blades, and secondly, they may result in displacement or “barrier” effects, whereby the birds fly higher or take more lengthy routes to avoid the wind farms.

An infringement proceeding by the European Commission against Bulgaria was opened (C-141/14), finding against the Bulgarian government on several counts in 2016.

The Standing Committee noted that some progress had been made following the recommendations of 2005 and 2007 as well as the court decision in 2017. It emphasised that there is room for more effective action and recommended to conduct a comprehensive independent assessment of the impact of wind farms as well as the development of a broader regime for ongoing monitoring and assessment of potential impacts of wind farms in the Kaliakra area as well as a Conservation Action Plan for the Red-breasted Goose population.

In 2022, the Standing Committee, satisfied with the progress and committment of the authorities, decided to close this case and follow-up progress to the Recommendation biennally.

 Key Timeline

• 2003 - Case registration
• 2005 - OSA and Recommendation No. 117 (2005)
• 2006 - Opening of Case
• 2007 - OSA and Recommendation No. 130 (2007)
• 2018 - OSA and Recommendation No. 200 (2018)
• 2022 - Case closed

 Other countries possibly concerned

• N/A

 Other international organisations involved

• CMS, AEWA and Eurobats Agreement
• European Commission
• European Court of Justice (ECJ)
• Swiss Ornithological Institute
• BirdLife International

 Documents

Complaint form

OSA reports and recommendations

Regular reports to the Bureau and/or Standing Committee

Please note that all reports received by a Party during one calendar year are included in one single report for that year. Some older reports are not available in digital form.

Other information / documents