Rock Partridges in the Mediterranean
Slovenia and Croatia, 9 days

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 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 Partridge, 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.

Day 1
Upon arrival to Maribor or Ljubljana you will be met by your English speaking Ecotours guide. Then we drive into the Julian Alps to our hotel on the shore of scenic Lake Bohinj. Time permitting we look for woodpeckers and Pygmy Owl in the region.
Accommodation: hotel on the shore of Lake Bohinj

Day 2
We walk on the shore of Lake Bohinj looking for Dipper and Western Bonelli’s Warbler and then visit a scenic waterfall where Grey-headed Woodpecker and Red-breasted Flycatcher are found. Golden Eagle and Raven are frequently seen here gliding above the mountain ridges. We visit the Pokljuka Plateau with its gorgeous conifer forests and alpine meadows in search of Three-toed and Black Woodpecker, Firecrest, Crested Tit, Nutcracker and Common Crossbill.
In the afternoon we visit scenic Mount Nanos to the south of Postojna. We drive up to the plateau stopping for Rock Buntings on the way. Then we explore the vast meadows for flowers, butterflies and birds. The rocky outcrops bordering the plateau are a good place for Golden Eagle and Rock Thrush. Rock Partridge also inhabits the southern slopes but it might be difficult to sight these wary birds. Chamois and Nose-horned Viper occur here too..
Accommodation: hotel close to Postojna

Day 3
we visit Lake Cerknica, a seasonal lake in a nice valley attracting many migrating birds during April and May including Red-throated and Black-throated Divers, ducks and marsh terns. The lake and the surrounding reeds, meadows and marshland are home to breeding Red-necked Grebe, Ferruginous Duck, Little Bittern, White Stork, Corn Crake, the ashy-headed form of Yellow Wagtail, Savi’s, River and Barred Warbler.
Later we drive south to explore mature beech forests around Kocevje for White-backed Woodpecker, Collared Flycatcher and Hawfinch.
Accommodation: hotel close to Postojna

Day 4
We drive to the Mediterranean coast to explore Secovlje Saltpans. On the way we stop to look for Short-toed Eagle, Blue Rock Thrush and Mediterranean warblers. The area of the saltpans is excellent for European Shag, waders including nesting Kentish Plover and Black-necked Stilt, Mediterranean Gull, Little Tern as well as Cetti’s Warbler and Zitting Cisticola.
Later we cross the border into Croatia and head towards the coastal town of Lovran.
Accommodation: Lovran

Day 5
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 might 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 6
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, Woodlark, 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 7
We spend the morning in Paklenica where we visit scenic gorges walking under the 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.
In the afternoon we drive southeast to visit Lake Vrana the biggest freshwater lake in Croatia. The lake is fringed by reeds from the west 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 check the adjacent farmlands to look 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.
Accommodation: Starigrad Paklenica

Day 8
We drive northeast to explore the Crna Mlaka Fishponds close to Zagreb. There is a huge system of fishponds here with adjacent reedbeds, meadows and oak woods. The ponds act as a magnet for waterbirds and the variety of habitats is home to many interesting raptors and passerines. We might see here 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 to name just a few.
Accommodation: Karlovac

Day 9
We drive back to Ljubljana or Maribor to take our flight back home.