|
Finding birds in Belgrade |
| Belgrade, 5 April 2007 |
FINDING BIRDS IN THE BELGRADE AREA
© 2007 by Dragan Simic, Milica Dajovic, Goran Sekulic, Marko Tucakov & Zeljko Stanimirovic |
From threatened Pygmy Cormorants and Saker Falcons to majestic White-tailed Eagles, Belgrade certainly offers an exciting birding experience. Within the urbanized areas 127 bird species were recorded. Veliko Ratno Ostrvo Island nature reserve at the confluence of Sava and Danube rivers (practically within the city) harbours 196 species, while the wider Belgrade area provide habitats to over 220 bird species - this is by no means representing the final number.
Belgrade lies at the meeting point of two geographical regions, the Pannonian Plains in the north and rolling hills of the Sumadija in the south. The Danube River lies at altitude of 73 m a.s.l., while the highest point in the area is the Avala Mountain at 511 m a.s.l. |
|
Floodplain forests along the Sava, Danube and Tamis rivers mostly consist of poplar and willow mixed with ash, and are often replaced by alien poplar plantations. Former wet grasslands are often cut of by embankments and transformed into agricultural land. Loess bluffs along the banks offer nesting places to Sand Martin and other hole nesters. In the hills south of the rivers, there are woods of Turkey oak and hornbeam with linden (Kosutnjak, Manastirska Suma). Agricultural land mostly occupies areas north of the Sava and the Danube (Srem in the west and Pancevacki Rit in the east) where main crops are corn, sunflower and wheat. Fields are interspersed with drainage canals bordered by reeds, rush and bushes; and hedges dominated by hawthorn and dog-rose. Villages in the area are surrounded with orchards and vegetable gardens, as well as remaining lowland woods of hornbeam and common oak (Jakovacki Kljuc in Surcin, Crni Lug, Bojcinska Suma) with forest floor overgrown with cornel-tree and hazelnut.
|
Within the city: Two Bee-eater colonies at the very ends of the city: in the west, behind the church in Vojvodjanska St, and in the east, south of the Slanacki Put St.
Within the city: larger parks, such as Banjicka or Zvezdarska forests: Sparrowhawk, Syrian Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Nightingale, Redstart.
Within the city: Pygmy Cormorant winter roost at the Sava River by the eastern end of the Ada Ciganlija island (up to 3300 birds).
Within the city: Usce park in winter: Pygmy Cormorant, White-tailed Eagle.
|
|
North of the city: Centa & Baranda to Sakule fish farms: Great Crested Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Little Grebe (all four breeding at Centa), Great White Egret, Spoonbill, Ferruginous Duck, Whiskered Tern. For fish farm birding, arrangements with the Manager should be made (Baranda, 013/686-113).
North of the city: Gradska suma Grey Heron colony (700 pairs).
North of the city: Kovilovo sugar factory sewage ponds: breeding Black-winged Stilt, Ferruginous Duck.
North of the city: Mika Alas fish farm: Bittern, Little Bittern, Squacco Heron, Night Heron and Purple Heron (last three breeding in about 50 pairs strong colony), White-tailed Eagle, Ferruginous Duck, Penduline Tit (reachable by buses No. 95 and 96; leave the bus at Sebeski Canal stop). For fish farm birding, arrangements with the Manager should be made at 011/332-8866.
West of the city: Surcin recreational centre: Grey Heron colony (100 pairs), Red-backed Shrike, Stonechat (reachable by bus No. 601). Mammals of the area include coypu.
West of the city: Zivaca fish farm and Bojcinska forest: Black Stork, White-tailed Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Saker Falcon, Ortolan Bunting. For fish farm birding, arrangements with the Manager should be made at 011/840-3455. |
|
|
