Birdwatching in Croatia | Birdwatching area 1

Location: Nature Park Učka / Nature Park Risnjak / Kvarner islands - Cres, Rab and Krk

Nature park Učka

Učka Nature Park encompasses Mount Učka and a part of the Ćićarija mountain range. It is located along the northern Adriatic coast at one of the most northerly points of the Mediterranean, right where Istria meets the continental part of Croatia.

The distinctive features for which this area was proclaimed a nature park have been known about for long time. Due to its relief and proximity to the sea, the area is characterised by a particular climate and lush forest vegetation. Also important are its rich meadows and other anthropogenic habitats that are home to numerous endemic, threatened and protected plant and animal species.

Nature Park Risnjak

The area of the Risnjak National Park is divided into two zones – the zone of rigorous and that of directional protection. The total surface area is more than 4600 ha and it is a completely protected area with no activity – it is exclusively left to natural activity.In the vicinity of the Park we can find a large number of extremely beautiful natural sights because of which this area has been included amongst the highest level of protected nature. The Risnjak National Park is a very good example of altitude decomposition within a relief, geological, hydrological and climatic aspect, as well as in plant covering and animal world.

Characteristics:

strong climate and vegetation barrier between coastal and continental parts of Croatia.
the most important example of upland vegetation division in Croatia
the most beautifully expressed phenomenon of karst sinkhole vegetation
a natural bond between the Alps and the Balkan mountains
a natural habitat for all three European large animals (bear, wolf and lynx)
1148 flora species and sub-species

Within the Risnjak National Park area and its surrounding areas, to date 114 bird species have been registered. In the National Park itself 78 bird species nest and are mostly nesting birds which live in the forest.One third of the nesting birds (26 species) is located on the Red List of threatened plants and animals in Croatia ,one species (Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus) has the status of endangered species (EN), two species (the Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrines and the Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium passerinum) have the status of vulnerable (VU), eight species are considered near threatened (NT) and 13 species have the status of least concern (LC) in Croatia.On a European level, four nesting bird species have the status of vulnerable, one species has the status of rare species and ten species have the status of species whose population in Europe is decreasing. Twelve nesting bird species are listed in Appendix I of the EC Birds Directive, and 59 species in Appendix II in The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (the Bern Convention).

Kvarner Islands

Krk Island – The fun ‘heart’ of Kvarner equally nurturing the body, the mind and the soul

The largest island in the Adriatic situated in the Kvarner bay southeast from Rijeka has an area of approx. 410 sq km. In the 7th century, Croats joined the Illyrian tribes of Iapodi and Liburni and the Roman population living in the area. There are seven customs, dances and folk costumes. The inland is characterized by two lakes. The vegetation is diverse, including forests, orchards, vegetable farms, vineyards and olive orchards on one side, and rocky areas and pastures on the other. A special feature of the region are the terraced stone walls with no binding material used to hold them together, i.e. built on the basis of a special technique of putting parts together.

Rab Island – The emerald island of Kvarner

With its pleasant Mediterranean climate, Rab is a hospitable vacation island. It is the last and farthest southern island of the Kvarner archipelago separated from the mainland by the Velebit Channel. The island of Rab, known for its picturesque beaches, is located between the island of Krk and the island of Pag and has an area of approx. 94 sq km. The main town called just like the island, Rab, is considered one of the most beautiful towns on the Croatian Adriatic coast.

Cres Island – The eco island of Kvarner

The island of Cres situated in Kvarner is a gem of the region’s landscape adorned with historic sights, unique natural phenomena and numerous opportunities for sports and active vacation. It is located in the northern part of the Kvarner Bay. It has a very indented coast with a lot of coves, pebble beaches and cliffs in the northern and eastern parts of the island. The evergreen Mediterranean cypress trees, hundred-year-old olive orchards, blooming lavender and small picturesque villages are characteristic to this second-largest Adriatic island. We recommend a visit to Lubenice as well, a small village built 4,000 years ago on a steep cliff at 387 m above sea level.

The area of Istria, Gorski Kotar and Kvarner, with the islands of Krk and Cres

Mountain area of Učka which is protected nature park, with forests of oak and chestnut trees, submediterranean zones and continental shrublands. One of the few habitats in Croatia where you can observe the mountain Bonelli’s Warbler (Phylloscopus Bonelli). National Park “Risnjak” in Gorski Kotar is area of intact centuries old forests of beech trees, spruce and fir, with populations Ural owls (Strix uralensis) and the black woodpecker (Dryocopus Martius) and Adriatic northern islands with numerous cliffs where last population of griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) in Croatia are nested. Also some other types birds of prey (golden eagle – Aquila chrysaetos, peregrine falcon – Falco peregrinus).