a

Rusanda Nature Reserve

Banat, Vojvodina  >  Serbia

The Nature Park Rusanda covers Rusanda salt lake with the surrounding meadow-steppe and wetland habitats, as well as the park of 'Rusanda Spa'.

Added* by Mileta Čeković
Most recent update 3 december 2024

Description

The Rusanda Nature Park is characterized by significant biodiversity of plants and animals, predominantly birds. The area is dominated by the Rusanda salt lake which attracts many shorebirds, especially during migration seasons, including Nagy póling, Kis póling, Gólyatöcs, Gulipán, Nagy goda, Pajzsoscankó, Havasi partfutó, Sarlós partfutó, Apró partfutó, Fenyérfutó, Parti lile, Kis lile, Ezüstlile, and Aranylile. The mud from the lake is used by the "Rusanda" Special Rehabilitation Hospital (also known as 'Rusanda Spa') for therapeutic treatments since 1867.

The park surrounding the spa is a home for a breeding colony of Kék vércse, vörös vércse, Vetési varjú, and Csóka, many songbirds like tengelic, Zöldike, Kék cinege, sárgafejű királyka, Füsti fecske, and Molnárfecske as well as a wintering location for Erdei fülesbagoly.

In the reeds and saline meadows around the lake common are Nádi sármány, Függőcinege, Barkóscinege, Nádirigó, cserregő nádiposzáta, Sordély, and Mezei pacsirta.

The saline lake covers a surface of 4 km2, and its water is of similar salinity to the sea. It has been speculated that Rusanda lake is one of the remnants of the ancient Pannonian Sea, but the lake is probably a fossil bed of the Tisza river.

There are two birding observation towers. One is at the lake shore near the Spa buildings, from where shorebirds and waterbirds can be observed. The second one is far at the northwest edge of the lake, where common are shorebirds and saline grassland species.

Details

Access

Nature Park Rusanda is easily accessible from Melenci village. Turn left at the village's north exit towards the 'Rusanda Spa'.

Terrain and Habitat

Lake , Wetland , Grassland , Forest , Mud flats , Park , Reedbeds , Agriculture

Conditions

Flat

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

Spring , Autumn , Summer

Best time to visit

Spring migration , Autumn migration

Route

Narrow trail , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

During the summer, the water levels may shrink and it could be possible to walk over the salt mud. But be extra careful as unexploded bombs from WW2 are found in two locations inside the lake (location marked on the map).

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

Show more birds Show less birds
Show more images Show less images

Comments & Tips

Give feedback
Rate this area