Experts from the Burgas regional environment inspectorate (RIOSV-Burgas) held a class for third-graders from the Prof. Pancho Vladigerov school of music and arts in Burgas to mark the European Bird Migration Days, the inspectorate said in a statement.

The topic was "Atanasovsko Lake and bird migration". The children played interactive games and listened to fairy tales about the lake, then watched the birds there.

At the lake they saw pink flamingos, avocets, black-winged stilts, many ducks and other waders. These are among the most common birds at the lake.

The experts explained to the pupils how birds migrate in autumn. They also said why parts of Bulgaria are protected areas and Natura 2000 protected zones. These places give birds food, quiet and safety on their way south.

The European Bird Migration Days take place every year in the first week of October. They aim to draw public attention to the protection of migratory species, the places where they breed and spend the winter, and the stopover sites along the migration route. More than 30 BirdLife partners from Europe and Central Asia take part, joining an informal bird-watching contest.

According to RIOSV-Burgas, the initiative highlights how important international cooperation is for protecting migratory birds.

Sharp warming and drought caused by climate change are destroying the places where birds feed and nest. Birds also fly into power lines and the glass walls of buildings. Intensive land use and poaching are further threats.

The class is part of RIOSV-Burgas's long-running educational work on environmental awareness among young people.