The industrial city of Burgas in South-east Bulgaria is surrounded by the Black Sea and three lakes - Mandra, Vaja and Atanassowsko.

Together with the Poda protected area they form a huge wetland area, vitally important as a resting station for many birds using the East European migration route known as the Via Ponticum.

As well as many waders, gulls and terns there are also rare and threatened species such as Pygmy cormorants, Dalmation pelicans and Red-breasted geese which may be seen feeding here.