- Bird romance in Montenegro -

Foreword

Montenegro's small size doesn't prevent it from being an excellent destination for birdwatchers. Within its approximately 14,000 square kilometers, a variety of climate zones and landscapes are concentrated. The total number of bird species found here is almost 300. For example, the entire European population of birds such as the rock partridge, little crake, Javan cormorant, Dalmatian pelican, little bittern, and tawny owl can be found largely in Montenegro.

According to local ornithologists, the best time for birdwatching is:

from the beginning of May to mid-June;

from mid-September to mid-October.

Our Program for groups

Day 1: Arrival in Montenegro

Arrival at the airport.

Meet with our tour guide. Transfer to Petrovac.

Check-in. Discussion of the tour program with your tour guide.

Walking tour of Petrovac.

Day 2: Petrovac – Lake Skadar National Park

At 7:00 AM, our program begins in Lake Skadar National Park, the largest lake on the Balkan Peninsula.

We start our journey around Lake Skadar in the village of Virpazar, accompanied by an experienced local ornithologist.

During the boat trip, you will observe numerous bird species.

Lake Skadar is the largest freshwater lake in the Balkans and features a vast floodplain, reed beds, and floating vegetation. It is home to approximately 280 bird species.

At 12:00 PM, lunch (fish picnic) will be served at a restaurant on the shore of Lake Skadar.

Departure for the hotel (1:30 PM). The total distance traveled each day is approximately 60 km (by bus).

Lake Skadar National Park

The most common and well-known species:

Pelecanus crispus - Dalmatian pelican / Phalacrocorax carbo - Great Cormorant / Microcarbo pygmaeus - pygmy cormorant / Ardea cinerea - Grey heron / Ardea alba - White heron / Ardeola ralloides - Squacco heron / Platalea leucorodia - Eurasian spoonbill / Ciconia nigra - Black stork / Anas platyrhynchos - Mallard duck / Fulica atra - Eurasian coot / Circus aeruginosus - Western marsh harrier / Alcedo atthis - Common kingfisher / Chlidonias hybrida — Whiskered tern / Plegadis falcinellus — Glossy ibis

Day 3: Petrovac – Ulcinj Saltworks

The Ulcinj Saltworks were created on the site of the former bird lagoon and remain an important area for birds. Walk among the salt pans.

Departure for the hotel (1:00 PM). The total distance traveled each day is approximately 110 km (by bus). Walking distance: approximately 6-8 km.

Ulcinjska solana

The most common and well-known species:

Phoenicopterus roseus — Greater flamingo / Pelecanus crispus — Dalmatian pelican / Himantopus himantopus — Black-winged stilt / Recurvirostra avosetta — Pied avocet / Platalea leucorodia — Eurasian spoonbill / Ardea alba — White heron / Egretta garzetta — Little egret / Gallinago gallinago — Common snipe / Actitis hypoleucos — Common sandpipe / Tringa nebularia — Common greenshank / Calidris minuta — Little stint / Merops apiaster — European bee-eater / Falco cherrug — Saker falco / Clanga pomarina — Lesser spotted eagle / Circus aeruginosus — Western marsh harrier / Glareola pratincola — Collared pratincole

Day 4: Petrovac – Budva (Optional)

A free day for relaxation or optional activities.

Guided city walk in Budva (Old Town).

Boat trip to the islands of Sveti Nikolaos and Sveti Stefan (drinks included).

Afterwards, free time – 2 hours in Budva.

Walking distance (Old Town) is approximately 3 km.

The total distance traveled is approximately 50 km.

Transfer to the hotel.

Day 5 Petrovac – Buljarica & Tivat Solila

First, you will visit the 2-kilometer-long Buljarica Bay.

Afterward, you will travel to Tivat Solila – a shallow lagoon on the site of former salt mines, which is regularly filled with seawater and is a habitat for marsh birds.

The walking distance is approximately 6-8 km.

The total driving distance is approximately 100 km.

Tivatska solila & Bularica

The most common and well-known species:

Phoenicopterus roseus — Greater flamingo

Himantopus himantopus — Black-winged stilt

Recurvirostra avosetta — Pied avocet

Tringa totanus — Common redshank

Charadrius alexandrinus — Kentish plover

Egretta garzetta — Little egret

Ardea cinerea — Grey heron

Platalea leucorodia — Eurasian spoonbill

Sterna hirundo — Common tern

Larus melanocephalus — Mediterranean gull

Tachybaptus ruficollis — Little grebe

Calidris ferruginea — Curlew sandpiper

Calidris alpina — Dunlin

Day 6 Petrovac – Čemovsko Polje

Our destination for today is the Čemovsko Field, a habitat for typical steppe birds. The Čemovsko Field stretches across part of the Zeta Plain between the Cievna, Zeta, and Morača rivers.

The walking distance is approximately 4-6 km.

The total driving distance is approximately 120 km.

Ćemovsko polje

The most common and well-known species:

Athene noctua — Owl of Athena (little owl)

Upupa epops — Hoopoe

Galerida cristata — Сrested lark

Oenanthe hispanica — Western black-eared wheatear

Merops apiaster — European bee-eater

Falco tinnunculus — Common kestrel

Alectoris graeca — Rock partridge

Pica pica — Eurasian magpie

Caprimulgus europaeus — European nightjar

Circaetus gallicus — Short-toed snake eagle

Fringilla coelebs — Eurasian chaffinch

Clamator glandarius — Great spotted cuckoo

Galerida cristata — Crested lark

Calandrella brachydactyla — Greater short-toed lark

Day 7 Petrovac – Lake Skadar National Park & ​​Crnoevica River

Excursion to Lake Skadar National Park with a boat trip, fish picnic and wine.

A classic "panoramic route."

Lunch (fish picnic) will be served at 12:30 PM at a restaurant on the banks of the Crnoevica River, which flows into Lake Skadar.

Departure for the hotel (2:00 PM). The total distance traveled each day is approximately 60 km (by bus).

Day 8 Petrovac - Podgorica – Airport

Breakfast or packed breakfast. Check-out.

Transfer to the airport.