Tuzly Lagoons National Park

Tuzly Lagoons Overview

Tuzly Lagoons National Park, known locally as Тузлівські лимани національний природний парк, is a coastal protected area in Ukraine, covering approximately 77.5 square miles (200.7 square kilometers).

It is located in the Odessa region along the Black Sea coast, encompassing a network of shallow lagoons and sandbar islands. The park’s landscape is dominated by saline lakes, reed beds, and sand dunes, with narrow strips of coastal land separating the lagoons from the open sea.

The Tuzly Lagoons, which include Alibey, Burnas, and Shagany, are the defining feature of this unique wetland system, providing an essential habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna. The vegetation consists mainly of halophytes, salt-tolerant plants that thrive in the park’s brackish environment, along with reed marshes, steppe grasses, and patches of coastal shrubland.

The park is renowned for its rich biodiversity, particularly its birdlife, making it an important site for ornithologists and nature lovers. Tuzly Lagoons serve as a critical stopover point for migratory birds traveling along the East Atlantic Flyway. Species such as Dalmatian pelicans, great white pelicans, glossy ibises, and Eurasian spoonbills can often be seen wading in the shallow waters.

The lagoons also support large flocks of flamingos during migration periods. Raptors such as white-tailed eagles and marsh harriers patrol the skies, while waders and waterfowl, including avocets, sandpipers, and greylag geese, make use of the mudflats and reed-lined shores. Mammals are less common but include species such as the European otter, wild boar, and steppe polecat, which rely on the park’s wetland and grassland habitats.

Visitors are drawn to Tuzly Lagoons National Park for its untouched natural beauty and opportunities for birdwatching, eco-tourism, and scientific research. The park’s remoteness makes it an ideal destination for those looking to experience Ukraine’s coastal wilderness away from the more developed tourist areas.

Boat excursions allow visitors to explore the lagoons up close, offering prime viewing opportunities for birdwatching and photography. Guided nature walks provide insight into the park’s delicate ecosystem, while some areas allow for kayaking, offering a more intimate experience with the waterways. The surrounding steppe landscape and coastal dunes also offer scenic hiking opportunities.

Despite its status as a protected area, the park faces several conservation challenges, including illegal fishing, poaching, habitat degradation due to agricultural runoff, and climate change-related impacts such as rising sea levels and increasing salinity.

Efforts to restore the park’s ecosystems include wetland restoration projects, stricter regulations on human activity, and the creation of buffer zones to minimize pollution. Conservation programs aimed at protecting key species, particularly rare and endangered birds, have seen some success in maintaining stable populations.

Local and international environmental organizations work in collaboration with the park’s management to ensure the preservation of its unique habitats while promoting sustainable tourism initiatives that benefit both wildlife and local communities.

Park Map

Tuzly Lagoons National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

The Tuzly Lagoons National Park is a vital habitat for migratory and resident bird species, serving as a crucial stopover for many waterfowl and waders along the East Atlantic Flyway. The park’s lagoons, mudflats, and reed beds provide excellent nesting and feeding grounds. Here are some of the most iconic bird species found in the park.

Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus)
One of the largest flying birds in the world, the Dalmatian pelican breeds in the park’s shallow lagoons and feeds on fish.

Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
A striking waterbird, the great white pelican is commonly seen gliding over the lagoons, scooping up fish with its large bill.

Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)
A distinctive wader with a long, upturned bill, the pied avocet is often seen foraging in shallow waters for crustaceans and insects.

Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)
A unique wading bird, the Eurasian spoonbill sweeps its specialized bill through the water to catch small fish and invertebrates.

Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)
Occasionally seen in the park, the greater flamingo feeds in the lagoons, filtering algae and tiny crustaceans from the water.

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)
A slender wader with long pink legs, the black-winged stilt is often found in the park’s shallow waters, searching for insects and small aquatic creatures.

Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)
A large and colorful waterfowl species, the common shelduck breeds in the park’s wetlands and forages along the shoreline.

Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis)
A migratory seabird, the Sandwich tern nests in the park’s coastal dunes and plunge-dives into the water to catch small fish.

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
A striking, iridescent bird, the glossy ibis forages in the park’s marshes, using its long, curved bill to probe for insects and crustaceans.

Pallas’s Gull (Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus)
One of the largest gull species, Pallas’s gull breeds in the park’s wetland areas, scavenging for food along the coast and lagoons.

Tuzly Lagoons National Park is one of Ukraine’s most ecologically significant protected areas, serving as a sanctuary for migratory birds and supporting a rich diversity of wetland and coastal wildlife.

The Tuzly Lagoons National Park, located on the Black Sea coast of southern Ukraine, is a vital wetland ecosystem comprising a network of shallow coastal lagoons, salt marshes, and sand dunes. This park is an essential breeding and stopover site for migratory birds, supporting a rich variety of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Below are some of the more popular species that inhabit Tuzly Lagoons National Park.

Golden Jackal (Canis aureus)
An adaptable predator, the golden jackal roams the park’s wetlands and coastal plains, hunting small mammals, birds, and carrion.

Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)
A resilient and highly adaptable species, the wild boar thrives in the park’s reed beds and grasslands, foraging for roots, berries, and small invertebrates.

European Hare (Lepus europaeus)
A fast and agile herbivore, the European hare inhabits the park’s open plains and dunes, feeding on grasses and shrubs.

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
A cunning and opportunistic predator, the red fox hunts small mammals, birds, and insects while also scavenging along the coastal areas.

European Otter (Lutra lutra)
A semi-aquatic predator, the European otter thrives in the park’s lagoons and estuaries, hunting fish, amphibians, and crustaceans.

Steppe Polecat (Mustela eversmanii)
A rare and elusive mustelid, the steppe polecat preys on rodents and birds in the park’s grasslands and wetland edges.

Common Spadefoot Toad (Pelobates fuscus)
A burrowing amphibian, the common spadefoot toad is often found in the park’s moist sandy soils, emerging at night to hunt insects.

Dice Snake (Natrix tessellata)
A non-venomous water snake, the dice snake thrives in the park’s lagoons and marshes, feeding primarily on fish and amphibians.

European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis)
A rare and protected reptile, the European pond turtle is found in the park’s wetlands, feeding on small fish, amphibians, and invertebrates.

Danube Shad (Alosa immaculata)
An important migratory fish species, the Danube shad moves between the Black Sea and the park’s estuaries, playing a key role in the local ecosystem.