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Nutcracker, common bird of the pine forests
There aremany birch forest in the area. Good birds, fantastic atmosphere!
Tree-toed Woodpecker, speciality of the old pine forests
The Alpine Accentorn breeds at the high rocky slopes and meadows.
iThe "salinas" at the seacoast are excellent for waders and seabirds
Sombre Tit, another mega
Dipper with Salamander








 


Wallcreepers and Rock Partridges.

Summary and recommendation: Seven days twitching tour and birding exploration of Slovenia for the best possible specialities.



 
 
Destination country: Slovenia, Croatia. Arrive and depart Ljubljana.

Next schedules:
- 08-16 July, 2011


Duration: 9 days.

Price: Ask!

Accommodation: Three-star hotels with all rooms en suite.

Numbers: Max. 6 tour participants.


Transport: 4WDs.

Recommended link:
- I wrote more useful birding information about Croatia for independent travellers, in co-operation with Fatbirder.


Description: "...Slovenia offers breathtaking scenery with the high peaks of the Alps and vast evergreen and beech woods, while Croatia has one of the most beautiful coastlines of Europe with ragged limestone hills and thousands of scenic islands. These two countries combined offer an exciting Alpine and Mediterranean fauna and flora amidst the scenic landscape. During our tour we visit the Julian Alps for Wallcreeper, Ptarmigan, Alpine Accentor, Snowfinch, Rock PoIpit, Golden Eagle, Pygmy Owl, Three-toed and Grey-headed Woodpecker, Nutcracker and Common Crossbill. Seasonal Lake Cerknica and scenic Mount Nanos are excellent for birdwatching, providing home for Ferruginous Duck, Corn Crake, Rock Thrush and Rock Bunting among others. The Secovlje Saltpans on the Slovenian Coast offer an array of shorebirds. In Croatia we explore the island of Cres with its Griffon Vulture colony. We visit Paklenica National Park, home of Rock Partridge, Olive-tree Warbler, Sombre Tit and Western Rock Nuthatch. We discover Lake Vrana where Pygmy Cormorant, Spanish Sparrow and Black-headed Bunting are expected. Crna Mlaka Fishponds are excellent for herons, egrets, White-tailed Eagle and marsh terns...."

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive to LJubljana. We drive into the Julian Alps to our hotel. Time permitting we look for woodpeckers and Pygmy Owl in the region.


Day 2: We spend the morning around Mt. Mangart searching for Ptarmigan, Wallcreeper, Snowfinch, Alpine Accentor, Rock Thrush, Golden Eagle, Grey-headed and Three-toed Woodpeckers, Nutcracker and Red-breasted Flycatcher. We also look for Marmots, Chamois and Alpine Ibexes. At the late afternoon we drive to Rakov Skocjan forests.

Day 3: In the morning we visit Mount Nanos to see Rock Partridge, Rock Thrush and Rock Bunting. Later we look for Lake Cerknica, a seasonal lake where we have good chances for resident Red-necked Grebe, Ferruginous Duck, Corn Crake and Barred Warbler. Later we drive south to explore mature beech forests around Kocevje for White-backed Woodpecker and Collared Flycatcher.

Day 4: We drive to the Mediterranean Coast to visit Secovlje Saltpans for European Shag and a nice array of waders and larids. Later we cross the border into Croatia and head towards the coastal town of Lovran.

Day 5: We take the ferry to the beautiful island of Cres to visit the Griffon Vulture rehabilitation centre in Beli. Walking on the paths of the nearby reserve we might find warblers, Griffon Vulture and Short-toed Eagle.

Day 6: We drive further south along the coast, then have a short stop at the Gacka River that is home to Bee-eater, Hoopoe and Lesser Grey Shrike. In the afternoon we arrive to Paklenica National Park. Before dinner we visit an area excellent for Rock Partridge, Blue Rock Thrush, Sombre Tit, Rock Nuthatch and Mediterranean warblers. Prolonged view of Rock Partridge is guaranteed!

Day 7: We spend the morning in Paklenica visiting one of the gorges for Alpine Swift, Crag Martin, Black-eared Wheatear and any other species we might have missed the day before. In the afternoon we drive to Lake Vrana to look for Pygmy Cormorant, Woodchat Shrike, Spanish Sparrow and Black-headed Bunting.

Day 8: We drive northeast to explore the Crna Mlaka Fishponds close to Zagreb where we might see Black Stork, Ferruginous Duck, White-tailed and Lesser Spotted Eagle, Black Woodpecker and Penduline Tit.

Day 9: We drive back to Ljubljana to take our flight back to London.


 
   



Upcoming trips & expeditions:

Crane weekend of Hungary (birding; 11-17, Oct., 18 -24, Oct.) >>>

Gebel Elba expedition (Egypt, 03-12, Nov.) >>>

Ethiopian Butterfly Adventure with Torben Larsen (05-19, Nov.). >>>

Ghana butterfly adventure with Szabolcs Safian and BC Ghana (26, Nov. - 10, Dec.). >>>

In search of the Red-breasted Geese (10-16, Dec.; Romania-Bulgaria) >>>

2011 tour dates are released!!!

Tour calendar >>>


Rock Partridge, one of the best bird of the area... Guaranteed!
...its habitat....
...and the birders.
Dubrovnik, the fabled city
Tenglam's Owl
Audouin's Gull
Habitat of Bonelli's Warbler and Horned Vipers
.Chamois is a common game of the high alpine slopes
Cirl bunting, one of the commonest songbird in the country
The gorgeous "Mladica", king of all Trouts.
Edible Dormice. In every year people celebrate one official hunting day of this small mammal with a big feast.
Julian Alps, Queen of the all Alpine range
Ortolan Bunting
Slovenia is truly a reptile paradise. This is Lacerta horvathi, one of the rarest lizzard of the Adriatic area.
Alpine Ibex
Griffon Vulture. About 100 pairs still exist in Croatia.
Little Egret at the seacoast
Kolesarska wetland area
Rocks in the Krka River NP.

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