İğneada Floodplain Forests National Park

İğneada Floodplain Forests Overview

İğneada Floodplain Forests National Park, known in Turkish as İğneada Longoz Ormanları Millî Parkı, is a rare and ecologically rich protected area located in the Kırklareli Province of northwestern Turkey, near the town of İğneada and the border with Bulgaria.

Covering approximately 11 square miles, or about 29 square kilometers, this coastal park lies along the western edge of the Black Sea. It is one of the few remaining examples of floodplain and alluvial forests in Europe. The terrain is relatively flat, with the landscape shaped by a combination of freshwater lakes, marshes, swamps, sand dunes, and dense forestlands.

The park’s most defining feature is its longoz forests—floodplain woodlands that are seasonally inundated by rivers and streams, creating a unique mosaic of aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Major freshwater bodies such as Mert Lake, Erikli Lake, and Saka Lake are scattered across the park, surrounded by reed beds and woodlands that thrive in the wet environment.

Vegetation in İğneada Floodplain Forests National Park is lush, varied, and highly adapted to the wet conditions. Dominant tree species include ash, alder, oak, and hornbeam, many of which grow directly in standing water during the flood season.

The understory is rich with ferns, wildflowers, and climbing plants that create a dense green canopy in the spring and summer. The combination of forest, wetland, and coastal ecosystems gives rise to a high level of plant biodiversity, including numerous endemic and rare species. In autumn, the landscape transforms into a tapestry of golds, reds, and browns, drawing visitors eager to experience the changing seasons.

The park supports a remarkably diverse range of wildlife, especially birds, amphibians, and mammals. It serves as an important stopover and breeding site for migratory birds traveling along the Black Sea route. Species such as white storks, grey herons, pygmy cormorants, and various types of ducks and warblers are commonly seen.

Raptors like the lesser spotted eagle and Eurasian sparrowhawk patrol the skies, while woodpeckers and owls inhabit the forested zones. Among the mammals found in the park are red deer, wild boar, otters, foxes, and occasionally wolves. The wetlands also support amphibians and reptiles such as European pond turtles and marsh frogs, which are vital to the food web of the region.

Key attractions in the park include its birdwatching platforms, boardwalks through the floodplain forests, and serene canoe routes on the lakes and channels. Visitors are drawn to the peaceful scenery, the reflective waters of Mert and Saka lakes, and the mysterious atmosphere of the longoz woodlands.

The coastal dunes near the Black Sea provide contrasting scenery and an opportunity to explore a different ecological zone within the park.

Visitors can experience İğneada Floodplain Forests National Park through hiking, birdwatching, canoeing, guided eco-tours, and nature photography. Well-maintained trails, observation towers, and interpretive signs make it an educational and accessible destination for families, students, and ecotourists alike.

The park offers a tranquil escape and an opportunity to immerse in one of Europe’s rarest forest types.

Conservation efforts in İğneada have gained momentum since its designation as a national park in 2007. While threats from tourism development, pollution, and illegal hunting persist, national and local efforts have contributed to increased protection, scientific monitoring, and awareness campaigns.

The park stands as a symbol of Turkey’s commitment to preserving delicate and rare ecosystems that are vanishing elsewhere in Europe.

Park Map

İğneada Floodplain Forests National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

İğneada Floodplain Forests National Park is also one of Turkey’s most important bird conservation areas, attracting both resident and migratory bird species due to its lakes, wetlands, and seasonal floodwaters.

White-tailed Eagle
This massive raptor nests in tall trees near lakes and rivers. It feeds on fish and waterbirds and is a top predator in the park’s wetland ecosystem.

Black Stork
Unlike its white counterpart, the black stork prefers undisturbed wetlands and floodplain forests. It forages for fish and amphibians in shallow water and nests high in tall trees.

Eurasian Bittern
Well-camouflaged in reed beds, this secretive heron-like bird has a deep, booming call. It feeds on fish and frogs and is very difficult to spot due to its excellent camouflage.

Grey Heron
Commonly seen standing still in shallow water, the grey heron uses its long bill to spear fish. It nests in colonies and often shares wetland space with other wading birds.

Great Egret
This elegant white wader is often seen in the park’s lakes and marshes. It hunts fish, frogs, and insects with slow, graceful movements and nests in tall trees near water.

Kingfisher
Brightly colored and fast-flying, the kingfisher is often spotted darting above streams and perched on branches near water. It dives headfirst to catch small fish.

Eurasian Spoonbill
With its distinctive spoon-shaped bill, this bird sweeps the water as it walks, feeding on insects and crustaceans. It nests in colonies in quiet, protected wetlands.

Common Crane
Seen during migration, these tall, elegant birds forage in open wetlands and fields. They are known for their trumpet-like calls and synchronized, graceful flight.

Bearded Reedling
A specialist of reed beds, this small, acrobatic bird clings to vertical reed stalks while foraging. It has a distinctive look with a grey head and long tail.

Pygmy Cormorant
This small, dark waterbird dives for fish and nests in wetland trees. It is commonly seen perched with wings outstretched to dry in the sun after fishing.

İğneada Floodplain Forests National Park is a vital sanctuary where forest and wetland converge, supporting an incredible diversity of wildlife and serving as a critical stopover for migratory birds traveling along the Black Sea flyway.

İğneada Floodplain Forests National Park, located along Turkey’s northwestern Black Sea coast near the Bulgarian border, is home to one of Europe’s few remaining floodplain forest ecosystems. Its mix of lakes, wetlands, sand dunes, and dense deciduous forest provides refuge for a wide variety of mammals and reptiles, many of which depend on the park’s rich water sources and seasonal flooding.

European Wildcat
Inhabiting dense, humid forests, the European wildcat is a solitary and nocturnal predator. It resembles a domestic cat but is more muscular and robust, preying on rodents and birds.

Red Fox
A common resident of the floodplain forest, the red fox is highly adaptable and opportunistic. It hunts small mammals, insects, and birds, and often forages near water sources and clearings.

Wild Boar
Well-suited to the park’s muddy terrain, wild boars forage in the undergrowth for roots, tubers, and invertebrates. They often form family groups and are most active at dawn and dusk.

Roe Deer
These graceful herbivores inhabit forest clearings and meadows. Roe deer browse on grasses, shoots, and leaves and are alert and agile, using their keen senses to avoid predators.

Brown Bear
Though elusive, brown bears occasionally travel through the wilder areas of the forest. They are omnivorous, feeding on berries, roots, and insects, and are especially active in spring and autumn.

Golden Jackal
This medium-sized canid roams wet meadows and forest margins. It scavenges and preys on small animals and is known for its eerie howls at night.

European Badger
Living in burrows dug into forest banks, badgers are nocturnal omnivores that forage for insects, small animals, and fruit. They are stocky and leave behind distinctive tracks and digging signs.

Hedgehog (Eastern European Hedgehog)
Found in the moist undergrowth, hedgehogs feed on insects, worms, and other invertebrates. Their spiny coat protects them from predators, and they curl into a ball when threatened.

Grass Snake
This non-venomous snake is commonly seen near ponds and lakes, where it preys on amphibians and fish. It’s an excellent swimmer and poses no threat to humans.

European Pond Turtle
Native to the park’s slow-moving waters, this semi-aquatic reptile is often seen basking on logs. It feeds on insects, small fish, and aquatic plants and hibernates during colder months.