Croatia is, being a continental mountainous and Mediterranean country, rich in various species of birds. Many of these species are today rare and endangered in Europe.
For the birders, highly interesting would be the coastal area, where different Mediterranean varieties are to be spotted. As Croatia is stretching over the central and partially west-European migration corridors, in the spring and in the fall intensive migrations, especially of raptors, take place in the most of the coastal habitats. The coast is also an important wintering area for a large number of species.
The protected areas of the coast are of special interest, such as the Nature Park Velebit, Nature Park Vransko Lake, National Park Paklenica, ornithological reserve Velo and Kolansko blato on the island of Pag, and the territory of the river Zrmanja, therefore we have chosen exactly these areas for this particular program here presented.
Off course, shorter trips, visits to alternative Croatian birding destinations and generally tailor-made tours are available by request.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Saturday - arrival in your hotel, introductory drink with your guide.
Day 2: Sunday - birding in the picturesque canyons and cliffs of the Zrmanja river - interesting species: Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Rock Nuthatch (Sitta neumayer), Raven (Corvus corax), Sombre Tit (Parus lugubris), Subalpine Warbler (Sylvia cantillans), Orphean Warbler (Sylvia hortensis), Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica melanoleuca), Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis), Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius), Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala),etc.
Day 3: Monday - birding in the mountainous National Park Paklenica - characteristic species: Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca), Hopoe (Upupa epops), Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala), Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus), Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica), Alpine Swift (Apus melba), Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius), Sombre Tit (Parus lugubris), Rock Nuthatch (Sitta neumayer), Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus), Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia).
Day 4: Tuesday - birding in the ornithological reservations Velo and Kolansko blato of the island of Pag - expected species: Pygmy Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmaeus), Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus), Black winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), Gadwall (Anas strepera), Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides), Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus), Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus), Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla), Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris), Curlew (Numenius arquata).
Day 5: Wednesday - birding in the area of Ljubac, Ravni kotari - a lowland area between the mountain of Velebit and the Adriatic sea - prevailing Mediterranean species: Bee-eater (Merops apiaster), Fan-tailed Warbler (Cisticola juncidis), Ruff (Philomachus pugnax), Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola), Curlew Sandpieper (Calidris ferruginea), Yellow-legged Gull (Larus cachinnans michahellis), etc.
Day 6: Thursday - birding in the forest, open, rocky and mixed habitats of the Nature Park Velebit. The influence of the Mediterranean is present here up to 950m high, with the following most interesting species: Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus), Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris), Alpine Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus), Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius), Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis), Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica melanoleuca), Wheater (Oenanthe oenanthe), Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia), Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana), etc.
Day 7 - Friday - birding in the swampy habitat with flooded meadows and reeds of the Vrana lake Nature Park. Lake Vrana is the largest natural lake in Croatia and an internationally important wetland for migrating and breeding birds. The lake lies by the Adriatic Sea and is possibly the most important coastal passage stop-over in the country, in both spring and autumn. Breeding species here include Pygmy Cormorant, Purple Heron and Black-winged Stilt. Expected species: Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), Pygmy Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmaeus), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Bittern (Botaurus stellaris), Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), Little Crake (Porzana parva), Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca), Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus), Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti), Bearded Tit (Panurus biarmicus), Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis), Moustached Warbler (Acrocephalus melanopogon), Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis), Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala).
Day 8: Saturday - departure to the airport.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 7 nights in double rooms in a tri-star hotel;
- 3 meals per day (breakfast and dinner in the hotel, take-out lunch);
- Arrival/departure transfer from Split or Zadar airport;
- Local taxes;
- Transfer to the locations;
- Entrance tickets in all nature and national parks;
- Professional ornithologist guide and assistance.
Notes:
- Departure to the sites every day around 7:00 AM, return to the hotel around 6:00 PM.;
- All participant should bring their own gear and equipment;
- All locations in our program are easily accessible from the hotel, within cca 100 km.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Croatia
Nature & Wildlife
Birdwatching
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