Description
Obedska Bara Special Nature Reserve is a seasonally inundated area of the Sava River floodplain. Habitats within the southern part of the reserve include marshes, ponds, wet meadows, and an oxbow lake. Vegetation consists of willow-poplar and English oak and ash forests, as well as industrial poplar plantations. This reserve is so conveniently close to Belgrade city that you can choose to go only for the morning and to be back by noon, or to spend the entire day in Obedska Bara.
Over 222 bird species have been recorded, with about 120 breeding here in recent years: Eurasian Green Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Icterine Warbler, Marsh Tit, Collared Flycatcher, Short-toed Treecreeper, etc. This is one of the most important nesting sites of Black Stork, White-tailed Eagle and Lesser Spotted Eagle in Serbia. Among the more important species, I should also mention Black Kite, which inhabits the edges of flood-forests, White Stork, which nests in large numbers in villages, as well as European Honey-buzzard in mosaic forest habitats. Mammals of the area include roe deer, Eurasian beaver and Eurasian otter.
From the end of April, carry an insect repellent for mosquitoes.
Details
Access
By car only. Less than an hour west of Belgrade lies the access point – the village of Kupinovo. For driving directions, zoom in on the map and click on the "P" (parking) sign.
The road from Kupinovo goes 300 m to the south, where it forks – take the right/western fork. It goes some 6 and a half kilometres to the west and about halfway, when you spot the River Sava after 3.2 km, tarmac gives way to still good gravel. When you reach a cross-junction, the road to the Obrez Village goes right/north for another 4 km, in total 10.5 kilometres.
Park wherever you like, but at the side – be sure not to block heavy lorries full of poplar trunks! Explore by walking, or further driving.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Wetland , Grassland , RiverConditions
Flat , Wet , High water possibleCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Spring migration , Spring , Autumn migration , WinterRoute
Wide path , Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , CarBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
There are several historical monuments in or near Kupinovo: the Kupinik fortress, the Chapel of Mother Angelina and the medieval Church of Saint Lucas.
150 metres away from the Church of St. Lucas lie the remains of medieval fortress Kupinik, founded by Hungarian kings. In the late 14th century king Sigismund of Luxembourg granted Kupinik to Radič, high ranked court official of Serbian ruler despot Stean Lazarević. Kupinik remained in Serbian hands for the next two centuies.
The fortification has rectangular basis with dimensions of 57 x 57 metres, with 4 towers build on each corner. The towers used to be around 16 metres high. The walls were surrounded by defensive trench, 17 metres wide and 3 metres deep.
Links
- eBird checklist Obedska bara--general area
- Obedska bara Special Nature Reserve authorities
- eBird checklist Obedska bara--Kupinovo wet meadows

