The Dalmatian Coast and Plitvice Lakes
Croatia, 8 days

Croatia has long been regarded as having one of the most beautiful coastlines of Europe with ragged limestone hills and thousands of scenic islands. But the country has more on offer for the keen birdwatcher and naturalist with its national parks, lakes and river valleys. The avifauna of Croatia includes such sought-after species as Griffon Vulture, Rock Partridge, Olive-tree Warbler, Sombre Tit and Western Rock Nuthatch.
During our tour we concentrate on finding rare birds and butterflies while visiting the best sites of the country. We explore the island of Cres with its Griffon Vulture colony. We visit Paklenica National Park, home of many rare birds, reptiles and butterflies. We discover the turquoise lakes, cascades and waterfalls of Plitvice National Park set amongst wooded hills. The valley of the River Sava is also on our map with its nice riparian forests and villages with wooden houses topped by nests of White Storks.

Day 1
After arriving to Zagreb we drive south to Istria to the lovely village of Lovran where we spend two nights.
Accommodation: Lovran

Day 2
We take a morning ferry to the beautiful island of Cres. During the short boat ride we check for European Shag and the very rare Mediterranean Shearwater. While driving on the winding road we may see the first Griffon Vultures soaring above the treetops. Cirl Buntings are often spotted here singing atop the bushes. Close to a nice stop with wonderful vistas over the coast Rock Bunting, Red-backed Shrike, Black-eared Wheatear and Tawny Pipit inhabit the rocky slopes. Leaving the main road we visit the Griffon Vulture rehabilitation centre, which is situated in the scenic village of Beli. There is a system of nature trails around the village and we will walk on one of them to explore the nice Mediterranean oak forest. We try to find Hawfinch, Subalpine, Sardinian and Melodious Warbler while Honey Buzzard, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed and Golden Eagle might be soaring above us. We will be looking for the smart Dalmatian Wall Lizard and Dalmatian Algyroides and for dragonflies around a small pool in the forest. Then we take a ferry back to the mainland in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Lovran

Day 3
We travel south along the Dalmatian Coast and then cross the Velebit Mountains to arrive to the lovely valley of the River Gacka. Here we look for Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Golden Oriole, Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrike among the small farmlands and meadows. Then we drive to the coast again reaching Paklenica National Park. In the afternoon we visit a nice area in the park to look for Rock Partridge, Western Rock Nuthatch, Rock Thrush, Eastern Orphean and Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Black-eared Wheatear and Sombre Tit.
Accommodation: Starigrad Paklenica

Day 4
We spend a full day in the famous Paklenica National Park attracting hikers, rock-climbers and birdwatchers from all over the world. We visit scenic gorges walking under monumental cliffs that are home to many interesting bird species including Peregrine, Alpine Swift, Rock Pigeon, Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Western Rock Nuthatch and Blue Rock Thrush. We will also search for rare butterflies as the park is home to many nice Mediterranean species such as Two-tailed Pasha, Southern Comma, Cleopatra Brimstone, Balkan Marbled White and Nettle-tree Butterfly.
Accommodation: Starigrad Paklenica

Day 5
We drive southeast to reach Lake Vrana the biggest freshwater lake in Croatia. The water is fringed by reeds along the Western side providing home to Pygmy Cormorant, Purple Heron, occasionally Glossy Ibis, Whiskered Tern, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Bearded and Penduline Tits. During migration the lakeshore holds waders and White-winged Black Tern can be seen hunting above the shallow water. We also check the adjacent farmlands for Montagu’s Harrier, Calandra Lark and Spanish Sparrow. The nearby orchards are a good place for Bee-eater, Woodchat Shrike and Black-headed Bunting. Time permitting we can visit the nearby scenic Krka National Park. The gorge of River Krka forms many beautiful waterfalls and the area is rich in butterflies and dragonflies.
Accommodation: Starigrad Paklenica

Day 6
We leave the coast and head north to Plitvice Waterfalls. Plitvice National Park lies on the border to Bosnia. It is situated in a valley surrounded by lush beech forests. There are sixteen turquoise-blue lakes interconnected by beautiful cascades and waterfalls. There is a good system of trails around the lakes where we will wander to marvel at the exceptional beauty of nature. Many dragonflies are home to this scenic place and the old woods hold Black and White-backed Woodpecker, Collared Flycatcher and Hawfinch. Later in the afternoon we drive further northeast to reach our hotel in the Sava Valley.
Accommodation: Sava Valley

Day 7
The valley of the River Sava with its oxbows, lakes, wet meadows and alluvial forests is a protected area and it is called Lonsko Polje. The beautiful lowland landscape is dotted with small villages harbouring old wooden houses with stork’s nests on the roof. During the day we visit several sites to explore the forests and wetlands where we might add a handful of interesting species to our list. The list of birds to be seen includes Great White Egret, Night Heron, Little Bittern, Spoonbill, Black Stork, Ferruginous Duck, White-tailed and Lesser Spotted Eagle, Black Kite, marsh terns, Grey-headed and Middle-spotted Woodpecker, River Warbler, Penduline Tit and Golden Oriole amongst others.
Accommodation: Sava Valley

Day 8
After a morning birding we head to Zagreb to catch our flight back home.