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Description
Veliko Ratno Island Reserve consists of 210 ha of ponds, willow and poplar forests with oak and ash stands. 185 species of birds can be found on and around the islands. 77 species of birds nest on Veliko Ratna Island (among the breeders is a pair of merikotka), of which 52 are residents and 25 are migrants.
More interesting species are pikkumerimetso, yöhaikara, merikotka, viitasirkkalintu, vaaleakultarinta, kultarinta, luhtakerttunen and sirittäjä. Best birds around the island in winter, as visible from the banks of the river, include lapasotka, pilkkasiipi, uivelo and kuikka.
Veliko Ratno Island Reserve is a part of the international ecological corridor along the Danube River, the “Confluence of the Sava and the Danube Rivers” Important Bird Area (IBA), as well as the core of the protected natural area "Veliko Ratno Island".
From the end of April, carry an insect repellent for mosquitoes.
Photos by Sever Nagulov, Miroslav Mares, Dejana Lukic and Dragoslav Miladinovic.
Details
Access
Veliko Ratno Island can be reached either by boat taking sunbathers from the district of Zemun to the Lido beach or, in summer, by pontoon bridge (July-August; open 9 a.m to 7 p.m.). Click on the P in the map to get driving directions.
The northern bird tower offers better birding, yet is shaky and not secure to climb at the time of writing (it’s actually closed for visitors). The southern tower is pretty much pointless.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Wetland , Beach , Mud flats , RiverConditions
Flat , Sandy , Slippery , Wet , High water possibleCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
NoGood birding season
Spring , AutumnBest time to visit
Spring , Spring migration , Autumn migrationRoute
Wide path , Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
FootBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
“Veliko and Malo Ratno ostrvo (river islands) are located in the Danube floodplain, which is why there is no direct influence of the urban zone of Belgrade. The islands have remained as a green oasis of relatively conserved nature with the diversity and richness of the living world, which is characteristic of the once much wider floodplain of the Danube and the Sava rivers.
The protected natural area of Veliko ratno ostrvo consists of two river islands (Veliko and Malo ratno ostrvo), and it includes a buffer zone in the width of 50 meters of the water surface around the islands. The nature reserve now measures 211 ha.
The protected natural area "Veliko Ratno ostrvo" has been designated with the aim of conserving picturesque landscape features and undisturbed primary landscape values of utmost importance for the conservation of habitats of natural rarities, rare and endangered waterfowl, and for the purpose of protecting the representative morphological and geological river island f formations.” (Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia)