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Description
Vlasina Lake is the largest and highest artificial lake in Serbia, lying at an altitude of 1211 meters and covering an area of 16 square kilometers. It was created in 1947–51 when the peat bog Vlasinsko Blato ('Vlasina Mud') was closed off by a dam and submerged by the waters of incoming rivers, mainly the Vlasina.
The most interesting part of the lake is at the south, where the remains of Vlasinsko Blato lie and where škrlatec, kosec, and repaljščica breed. Even breeding of citronasta pastirica has been recorded there in 2016, but lately, its records are scarce. On the lake itself common species are mlakarica, veliki kormoran, čopasti ponirek, belolična čigra, and črna čigra. Also, around the lake many passerine species can be found, like all five Serbian swallows (breguljka, mestna lastovka, kmečka lastovka, rdeca lastovka, and skalna lastovka), as well as bledi hudournik, hudournik, kalin, vrtna penica, pisana penica, močvirska sinica, gorska sinica, balkanski muhar (rare), and rumena pastirica. On the slopes of the surrounding mountains Čemernik, Vardenik, and Gramada, Krekovt and krivokljun can be found.
Vlasina Lake and the surrounding mountains are part of IBA Vlasina (link is below) and are protected as Landscape of outstanding features Vlasina.
Details
Access
Vlasina Lake is most easily accessible from the southwestern side, by a 19 km long section of the regional road from Surdulica, which itself lies 10 km east of the Niš-Preševo highway. The road extends west, towards the Bulgarian border crossing at Strezimirovci, some 20 km away. Along the west shore, the regional road leads across the dam towards Crna Trava in the north. Press a P on the map for directions.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Scattered trees and bushes , Wetland , Grassland , Plateau , Mountain , River , Lake , Moors/heathlandConditions
Hilly , Mountainous , WetCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Spring , Summer , AutumnRoute
Paved road , Unpaved road , Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , Car , BoatBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
Just one day to explore Vlasina Lake and its surroundings is not enough, but there is nice accommodation available on the Vlasina Lake itself. Still, if you prefer staying in hotels, your best option is Vranje town, from where you can also explore other birding places in the southern part of Serbia.
Links
- 'Vlasina Nature Reserve--Vlasinsko blato/peat bog (southern part)' eBird hotspot
- 'Vlasina Nature Reserve--Vlasinsko jezero/Vlasina Dam (northern part)' eBird hotspot
- eBird barchart of both hotspots
- IBA Vlasina