PROTECTED AREA – "PODA"
The Poda protected area is situated north of Kraimorie, next to complex Foros, on the eastern part of the Mandra lake. It consists of a small lagoon, separated from the sea by a narrow sand strip, and it is bordered on the west by the Black Sea highway. 
Poda became a protected area in 1989, and together with the Foros bay was included in the list of Ramsar sites in 2002. This is the first Bulgarian territory put in charge of non-governmental organization – The Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds. The area is one of the few territories in Europe, where on such a small surface, about 101 hectares are found:
- 161 low plant species,
- 231 high plant species,
- 168 invertebrates,
- 6 fish species,
- 15 amphibians and reptiles,
- 259 bird species and
- 18 mammals.
This is the only place on the Bulgarian sea coast, which is a home to colonies of the spoonbill and the glossy ibis. During the year a variety of bird species threatened with world extinction can be observed: the pygmy cormorant, the Dalmatian pelican, the white-headed duck, the white-tailed eagle and the slender-billed curlew (which is one of the most rear birds on Earth, with fewer than 100 representatives left).
Poda is one of the most ornithologically significant areas in Europe. One of the main migratory routes, Via Pontica, passes above this area; huge flocks of about 2000 white storks and around 30 different other species can be seen there during the autumn migration. People can watch the bustling bird colony from the watch tower, as well as from the road to Burgas. Poda is a dream location for developing of birdwatching tourism, as well as for photosafari.
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