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Description
Once upon a time, vast forests of English oak blanketed the Sava River floodplain, all the way from Croatia down to the river’s confluence in Belgrade. Gazetted as the “nature monument” in 2013, one of the few remaining – Bojčinska Forest by the village of Progar covers 670 ha / 1650 ac, and has 108 recorded bird species and 60 species of mammals (1/3 of them are bats). In addition to oak, the forest is rich in hornbeam and narrow-leaved ash.
Common species include Hawfinch, Common Redstart, Greenfinch, Song Thrush, Common Nightingale, Blackcap, and Eurasian Golden Oriole, followed by frequent Marsh Tit , and Collared Flycatcher. Middle Spotted Woodpecker is particularly common in this habitat, together with Black Woodpecker as well as Eurasian Green Woodpecker.
The forest edge and surrounding fields hold White Stork, Western Western Marsh Harrier, Western Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat and European Stonechat. From their bush-top positions, Corn Bunting sing, while Eurasian Skylark perform their song-flights. Close to mid-day, thermals start to rise, attracting White-tailed Eagle, Black Kite and, in winter, Red Kite too.
Photos by Milica Buha / Wikimedia Commons and Surčin Municipality.
Details
Access
Zoom in on the map and click on the "P" (parking) sign for driving directions. Bojčinska Forest can also be reached by public bus 605, which departs from Ledine.
The circular trail marked at the map is 6.3 km long. It could be muddy in some parts, but it is also possible to shorten it to the western or the eastern half only.
Terrain and Habitat
ForestConditions
Flat , SlipperyCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
NoGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Winter , SpringRoute
Paved road , Unpaved road , Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
FootBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
King Alexander I of Yugoslavia was known for his hunting forays into this forest, only months prior to his assassination during a 1934 state visit to France. During WWII, the forest was used as a base of the local Partisan squad (the communist resistance), hiding in subterranean shelters. Fleeing from Nazis, local villagers were hiding there as well. Some of those shelters are still around.
After birding, you can have refreshments or breakfast at the Bojčinska Koleba restaurant, on the left hand side of the entrance road. If you want to stay longer, there are wooden cabins for rent.