BIRDWATCH SERBIA
Serbia
Serbia has long enjoyed its reputation as a cultural crossroads at the heart of Europe. However, Serbia's natural attractions still remain one of the continent's best-kept secrets. This small, landlocked nation of little more than 100,000 square kilometres boasts an astonishing diversity of habitats: from flooded forest and reedbed swamps to arid steppes and dramatic mountain gorges. A huge variety of wildlife thrives here, making Serbia one of Europe's greatest biodiversity hotspots. Of particular importance is the northern province of Vojvodina, where many key sites are recognised as areas of international conservation importance. An extensive network of nature reserves ensures that most of these are easily accessible to the visitor.
In addition to outstanding birdlife, the visiting bird watcher can enjoy a host of cultural and historical attractions, from castles, museums and monasteries to rural farmsteads and Belgrade's vibrant nightlife. All this is accompanied by a tradition of warmth and hospitality for which Serbia is justly famous.
Birds
379 bird species have been recorded in Serbia and Montenegro. Of these, 333 occur regularly and 260 breed. Among the breeding species, there are five species of global conservation concern: Ferruginous Duck, Imperial Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Great Bustard and Corncrake. Other Serbian specials include Pygmy Cormorant, Black Stork, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, Griffon Vulture, Saker Falcon, Common Crane and Collared Flycatcher.
Key Sites
Carska Bara (and surrounding fishponds)
This well-known bird sanctuary east of Novi Sad receives special protection as a Ramsar site. 260 species have been recorded here. The reserve consists of flooded forest with large seasonal pools and extensive reedbeds (the largest in Serbia), fringed with willow and poplar woodland. The surounding fish ponds are the largest in Europe and host significant concentrations of waterbirds. The area can be explored on foot and by boat, and a number of platfoms and hides allow views over the pools and reedbeds. Birds include: Bittern, Little Bittern, Great White Egret, Squacco Heron, Spoonbill, Ferruginous Duck, Garganey, White-tailed Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Water Rail, Corn Crake, Little Crake, Whiskered and Black Terns, Lesser spotted, Middle-spotted and Syrian Woodpeckers, Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike, Penduline Tit, Bearded Tit, Great Reed Warbler, Marsh Warbler, River Warbler, Savi's Warbler.
Deliblatska pescara (Deliblato Sands)
This unique wilderness comprises 33,000 hectares of steppe and mixed forest growing on the largest area of sand in Europe, once part of a vast prehistoric desert. It is bordered by the Danube, Tamiš and Karaš rivers and includes extensive flooded wetlands along the Danube. The region is famed for its high degree of endemism, including many unique plants, reptiles and insects. It is also home to one of the greatest variety of mammals in Europe, with such rarities as European Molerats, Marbled Polecats and at least three packs of Grey Wolves. Birds include: Glossy Ibis, Bittern, Little Bittern, Squacco Heron, Great White Egret, Spoonbill, Ferruginous Duck, Garganey, White-tailed Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Goshawk, Saker Falcon, Scops Owl, European Nightjar, Black Woodpecker, European Bee-eater, Hoopoe, European Roller, Wryneck, Sand Martin (up to 18.000 pairs), Tawny Pipit, Red-backed Shrike, Barred Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Marsh Warbler, Northern Wheatear.
Gornje Podunavlje (flooded forest, Upper Danube)
This Special Nature Reserve comprises the Serbian portion of an international wetland wilderness that extends over the borders into neighbouring Croatia and Hungary. The whole vast complex represents one of the finest birding and wildlife areas in Europe. It comprises oak, willow and poplar forest on alluvial soil with numerous seasonal pools. The forests are famed for their Wild Boar and Red Deer populations, and nearby fish ponds provide an additional attraction for waterfowl. Birds include: Black Stork, Little Bittern, Greylag Goose, Red-crested Pochard, White-tailed Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, Saker Falcon, Black Woodpecker, Middle-spotted Woodpecker, Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, Yellow Wagtail, Collared Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike, Savi's Warbler, River Warbler.
Fantast Castle
Situated close to the Becej fish ponds, this secluded retreat lies in Serbia's fertile agricultural heartland. The castle tower provides endless views across a flat landscape of mixed woodland and farmland, and the grounds are home to a variety of woodland species. The stables also house a fine collection of English thoroughbred horses. Birds include: Long-eared Owl (large winter roost), Barn Owl, Syrian, Great-spotted and Middle-spotted Woodpeckers, Golden Oriole, Red-backed Shrike, Corn Bunting.
Fruška Gora (mountain ridge)
This national park protects a picturesque ridge of hills that extend 78 kilometres west from south of Novi Sad towards the Croatian border. In prehistoric times the hills were an island in the Pannonian Sea which covered the whole of northern Serbia. They also have a rich cultural history: no fewer than 16 orthodox monasteries are located here, and traditional farmsteads (Salaš) provide a hearty welcome to visitors. The hills comprise a variety of habitats, including mixed forest, grazed steppe, farmland and meadows. Birds include: Imperial Eagle, Goshawk, Honey Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Saker Falcon, Wood Lark, Crested Lark, Black, Grey-headed, Syrian and Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Hoopoe, Golden Oriole, European Bee-eater, Short-toed Treecreeper, Collared Flycatcher, Hawfinch, Ortolan Bunting, Black-headed Bunting.
Ludaško jezero (freshwater lake)
This rich wetland in northern Serbia is a Ramsar protected site, and each year hosts a well-known ringing camp. It comprises a natural freshwater lake surounded by extensive wetlands. Birds include: Bittern, Little Bittern, Squacco Heron, Ferruginous Duck, Garganey, Marsh Harrier, Water Rail, Mediterranean Gull, Corn Crake, Little Crake, Baillon's Crake, Whiskered and Black Terns, Penduline Tit, Bearded Tit, Great Reed Warbler, Marsh Warbler, River Warbler, Savi's Warbler.
Pašnjaci velike droplje (Great Bustard Pastures)
This special nature reserve was proclaimed in order to safeguard Serbia's last remaining population of Great Bustards. It is located in the northern Banat region, between the Tisa river and the Romanian border and consists of extensive open steppe. Birds include:
Saker Falcon, Great Bustard, Lesser Grey Shrike, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear.
Ribnjak Becej (Becej fish ponds) and Biserno Ostrvo (Pearl Island)
This is an extensive area of artificial lakes to the north of Novi Sad, surrounded by arable farmland and grazed steppe. The lakes are managed for the commercial production of carp, and are home to a large resident and migratory population of waterbirds. They also hold one of the largest heronries in Serbia. Biserno Ostrvo (Pearl Island) is a nearby area of alluvial farmland, reedbeds and riverine forest trapped between the Tisa river and Mrtva Tisa (a long oxbow lake). Birds include: Bittern, Little Bittern, Great White Egret, Spoonbill, Ferruginous Duck, White-tailed Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Goshawk, Black Kite, Honey Buzzard, Water Rail, Whiskered and Black Terns, Barn, Little, Scops and Tawny Owls, Syrian and Lesser-spotted Woodpeckers, Tawny Pipit, Crested Lark, Red-backed Shrike, Great Reed Warbler, Marsh Warbler, Savi's Warbler, River Warbler, Penduline Tit, Bearded Tit, Bluethroat, Serin, Corn Bunting.
Slano Kopovo (saltwater lake and steppe)
This nature reserve, located in the very centre of Vojvodina, is the best place in the Pannonian Basin to observe the spectacular annual migration of Common Cranes. It consists of a large saltwater lake, fringed on one shore by extensive reedbeeds and surrounded by an arid region of saline steppe. The region is home to a large number and variety of breeding and visiting waterbirds. Birds include: Spoonbill, Bittern, Garganey, Northern Pintail, Ferruginous Duck, Montagu's Harrier, Saker Falcon, Red-footed Falcon, Common Crane, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted and Common Redshanks, Greenshank, Green and Wood Sandpipers, Eurasian Curlew, Whimbrel, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Kentish Plover, Short-eared Owl, Bluethroat, Leser Grey Shrike, Northern Wheatear.
Uvac kanjon (Uvac Gorge)
Southwest of Belgrade, towards the border with Montenegro, lies a wilderness of limestone cliffs and flooded mountain gorges, with deep forests and extensive alpine pastures. This rugged region can be explored on foot or by boat trip along the flooded Uvac River. This is vulture country and, in addition to over 150 bird species, it is also home to bears, wolves and lynxes. Birds include: Goosander, Griffon Vulture (over 250 individuals) Golden Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Goshawk, Peregrine Falcon, Nutcracker, Rock Thrush, Corncrake, Black Redstart, Black Woodpecker, European Eagle Owl, Scops Owl, European Nightjar, Wallcreeper, Crested Tit, Sombre Tit, Grey Wagtail.
Recommended itineraries
Tour No 1: Bird watching and culture
Day 1 Arrive at Airport and transfer to Gornje Podunavlje by minibus; overnight in Apatin.
Day 2 Gornje Podunavlje and Sombor town; overnight in Apatin.
Day 3 Ludaško lake and Palic lake resort; overnight at Fantast Castle.
Day 4 Fantast and Becej fishpounds; overnight at Fantast.
Day 5 Slano Kopovo and Carska bara; overnight Carska bara.
Day 6 Novi Sad city and Fruska gora; overnight Novi Sad.
Day 7 Kovacica village (Naive art galleries) and Deliblato Sands; overnight Dubovac forest lodge.
Day 8 Deliblato Sands and Danube; overnight Dubovac forest lodge.
Day 9 Belgrade city tour, night life and overnight.
Day 10 Transfer to airport.
Tour No 2: Intensive Birding
Day 1 Arrive at airport; transfer to Apatin town.
Day 2 Gornje Podunavlje and surrounding fishponds.
Day 3 Ludaško lake and saltmarshes; Jazovo fishpond and Mokrin; overnight Fantast Castle.
Day 4 Becej fishpond, Biserno ostrvo, Slano Kopovo, Melenci; overnight Carska bara.
Day 5 Carska bara,Titelski breg, Jegricka; overnight Novi Sad.
Day 6 Fruška gora, Seceranske bare, Obedska bara; overnight Obedska bara
Day 7 Deliblato Sands; overnight Dubovac forest lodge.
Day 8 Deliblato Sands and Labudovo okno; overnight Dubovac forest lodge.
Day 9 Transfer to Uvac Gorge; overnight Zlatar mountain.
Day 10 Uvac Gorge. Overnight Zlatar mountain.
Day 11 Ovcarsko-Kablarska Gorge, Kablar mountain; overnight Kablar mountain
Day 12 Dragacevo mountain region; overnight Guca town.
Day 13 Gružansko lake and transfer to Belgrade; overnight Belgrade.
Day 14 Transfer to airport.
Tour No 3: Belgrade city break plus bird watching
Day 1 Arrive at airport ; transfer to Belgrade; night out in Belgrade.
Day 2 Morning, sightseeing Belgrade and afternoon, motorboat Danube and Sava river excursion; for dinner, we recommend a choice of famous restaurants in Skadarlija or along the riverside.
Day 3 Full-day excursion: Novi Sad city and Fruška gora – either by minibus or by the historic 'Romantika' steam train to Sremski Karlovci town; visit monasteries, lunch on traditional farmstead, bird watching (possible Imperial Eagle and Saker Falcon).
Day 4 Full day excursion to a famous bird reserve: Deliblato Sands, Carska bara pound or Obedska bara ponud – according to choice.
Day 5 Transfer to airport.
Climate
Average summer temperatures are around 26°C on the plains and 17°C in the mountains. Summer mid-day temperatures can sometimes reach the thirties – and even forties.
What to bring
Comfortable trainers are usually good enough for northern Serbia, but hiking boots are recommended for mountain areas. In summer, short-sleeved shirts and shorts are fine (and a fleece for evenings in the mountains), rain gear is necessary in spring, and sometimes also comes in handy during summer. Binoculars are essential, while a telescope will also be useful. We also recommend a lightweight daypack, while a wide-brimmed hat, water bottle and sunscreen are necessary during summer. For wetland areas, insect repellent is also heartily recommended.
We can also organise weekend birdwatching tours on request (depending on species, locations, number of days, etc.).
Notes:
Tour No 1: Bird watching and culture
Price per person: 729 eur
Prices include: road transfers from Belgrade airport and between all destinations in a modern minibus; accommodation on a half-board basis, in double or twin-bedded rooms with en-suite facilities; expert English-speaking bird guide
Tour No 2: Intensive Birding
Price per person: 1040 eur
Prices include: road transfers from Belgrade airport and between all destinations in a modern minibus; accommodation on a half-board basis, in double or twin-bedded rooms with en-suite facilities; expert English-speaking bird guide
Tour No 3: Belgrade city break plus bird watching
Price per person: 320 eur
Prices include: transfers from Belgrade airport to hote v.v.; bed and breakfast accommodation in 3-star hotel in double or twin-bedded rooms with en-suite facilities and birdwatch excursion
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Serbia
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