The Văcărești Delta, often referred to as the “Delta of Bucharest”, is one of the most remarkable examples of how nature can reclaim abandoned urban spaces. Located in the southeastern part of Romania’s capital, this 183-hectare area was originally intended to become a man-made reservoir during the 1980s, under the communist regime. However, after the fall of the regime in 1989, the project was abandoned, and the unfinished basin slowly transformed into a thriving wetland ecosystem. Over the next decades, rainwater, groundwater springs, and vegetation created a natural habitat that now mirrors the biodiversity of the Danube Delta—right in the heart of the city.
Today, the Văcărești Delta is recognized as Romania’s first urban natural park, officially declared a protected area in 2016. Despite being surrounded by apartment blocks and busy roads, it supports an astonishing diversity of wildlife. Over 150 species of birds have been recorded here, many of them protected by European conservation laws. Species such as the grey heron (Ardea cinerea), little egret (Egretta garzetta), common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), and the marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) can be regularly observed nesting, feeding, or resting in the wetland. During the spring and autumn migration periods, the park becomes an important stopover for thousands of migratory birds traveling along the Lower Danube corridor.
Beyond birdlife, the delta shelters a surprising range of mammals for an urban area. Among the most iconic is the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), a species that depends on clean, fish-rich waters and is considered a symbol of the park’s ecological health. Other mammals include red foxes, hedgehogs, weasels, feral cats, and even bats, which take refuge in the ruins and vegetation.
The park also harbors a diverse population of amphibians and reptiles such as the green frog (Pelophylax esculentus), common toad (Bufo bufo), European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), and grass snake (Natrix natrix). These species play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance by controlling insect populations and serving as prey for birds and mammals.
In the shallow waters and ponds, fish like carp, perch, and roach coexist with countless aquatic insects and crustaceans. These smaller species form the base of a complex food chain that supports the larger fauna of the delta.
Vegetation plays a crucial role in shaping the landscape. Tall reeds (Phragmites australis), willows, and rushes dominate the wet areas, while the higher, drier zones are covered with grasses, shrubs, and trees that have grown naturally over the years. This mix of aquatic and terrestrial vegetation creates a mosaic of habitats that sustain biodiversity and help regulate the local microclimate.
The Văcărești Delta also acts as a natural filter for air and water, absorbing rainwater and reducing urban flooding while improving air quality in Bucharest. It is a living laboratory for scientists and environmentalists who study how ecosystems can develop spontaneously within cities.
Today, the park attracts not only researchers but also birdwatchers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts. Visitors can explore wooden observation platforms, guided tours, and educational programs that promote awareness of urban biodiversity.
In essence, the Văcărești Delta stands as a symbol of ecological resilience and coexistence between nature and the city—a rare place where herons rise above skyscrapers, otters swim in forgotten canals, and wildflowers bloom among concrete ruins. It proves that even in the most urbanized environments, nature can find a way to return and thrive.
