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Rate birdingplace Lake Skadar
Description
Lake Skadar is one of the largest lakes of the the Balkan and situated on the border of Montenegro and Albania. It is 44 km long and 14 km wide. In Montenegro 400 sq km is protected by a national park. It is stated that 270 kinds of birds inhabit this Lake. Around 90% of these birds are migratory. During migrating season anything can turn up here. It is one of the northernmost places for Dalmatian Pelican. They nest at floating peat islands in north end of the Lake. Many waders rest here, some winter here. Many species of ducks also live here. Among the birds you can see here are Pygmy Cormorant, Eurasian Spoonbill, Squacco Heron, Little Egret Glossy Ibis, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Ferruginous Duck and Red-necked Grebe. Also check the extended birdlist below.
Details
Access
The best way to observe birds is by taking a private boat trip on the lake. You can easily rent a boat with a licensed carrier, for example in Virpazar or Vranjina. In September 2022, the cost of an hour-long cruise is about 30 Euro per boat. If you want to see a larger part of the lake and visit the Monastery of Kom, get ready for a four-hour trip.
The budget version is a walk along the road situated on an artificial dike - however, in this case the possibility of successful observations will be very limited. The lake is situated between the mountains and the shores of the lake are in many places inaccessible or overgrown with reeds.
Parking places are marked on the map. Click on a P to get directions to the parking.
Terrain and Habitat
Wetland , Lake , MountainConditions
Mountainous , Flat , HillyCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
Spring , Summer , AutumnBest time to visit
SummerRoute
Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
Foot , BoatBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
It is easy to book organized boat tours to observe birds on the lake - so if you want to see Dalmatian Pelican and almost touch Squacco Heron, Little Egret, Eurasian Moorhen, Eurasian Coot that are walking on a thick cover of floating leaves and to be right next to the birds drying their wings Pygmy Cormorant - , choose this option. See the links below for companies that offer boat trips in this area of the lake.
The description and the route on the map includes a walk along the road and a boat trip from Virpazar. These are just some of the options available.
Links
- Boat trip organizer Boat Milica
- Boat trip organizer Eagle Boat
- Boat trip organizer Kingfisher
- Boat trip organizer Golden Frog
) to insert bird names in your own language. The birdnames will automatically be translated for other users!
Wonderful place. Unfortunately, there is a huge amount of plastic bottles in the water. You can admire the Dalmatian Pelican from a distance, other species, for example Pygmy Cormorant , Squacco Heron , Little Egret or Eurasian Moorhen are right on the doorstep.
A few years ago I visited Lake Skadar and got excellent views of Dalmatian Pelican (with scope) and many other birds from the very useful raised hide here: 42.306192,19.371119 (Google Maps pin).
Frankly, this is a site to be avoided. A tourist trap! It's the off-season (end of September), but it's impossible to park and the motorboats are lined up one after the other without interruption. The place may indeed be a 1st-rate site from a bird-watching point of view, but I didn't want to take part in this touris trap.