Besides its picturesque beauty, the lake is the haunt of 85 species of water-birds with estimated populations between 20,000?38,000.[citation needed ] It is one of the important migratory passages through Cyprus. Among them are 2,000?12,000 flamingoes (Phoenicopterus ruber)[5] which spend the winter months there feeding off populations of the brine shrimp Artemia salina.[2] Other important bird species are Grus grus, Charadrius alexandrines, Larus ridibundus, Himantopus himantopus, Burhinus oedicnemus, Hoplopterus spinosus, Oenanthe cypriaca and Sylvia melanothorax.[citation needed ] Flocks of birdwatchers gather to observe the blaze of pink from flamingoes as they gather in the centre of the lake but also the other important migrants. The Larnaca Salt Lake complex was declared as a protected area by a decision of the Council of Ministers in 1997.[6] Recent evidence suggests that contrary to previous belief the greater flamingo, (Phoenicopterus rubber) not only stops over but also breeds on this wetland.[7]
