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Rački Ribniki

Maribor  >  Slovenia

The fish ponds of Rače are a magnet for birds. More than 200 species of birds have been recorded in the area.

Added* by Marjan
Most recent update 4 maj 2022

Description

The Rače ponds are located on the outskirts of the Drava plain, 12 km south of Maribor and close to the village of Rače. The ponds have been used for fish farming since 1870 – a time when they were owned by the counts of Rače. Today carp cultivation still takes place in six ponds. Birds can be experienced here throughout the whole year. Among aquatic species regularly nesting here are Mali gnjurac and Ćubasti gnjurac, Ćubasta patka, Liska and lately the endangered Patka njorka. The Lastavičar, hunting dragon flies, can often be seen overflying the water surfaces. With some luck you can also spot Ribar here in time of migration. Throughout the whole year Vodomar hunts from the branches by the water, whereas the Siva čaplja hunts from the branches in the forest. The Crna roda, which nests in the nearby forest, appears in the area regularly as well. Different waders can be observed when the water level is low.

Details

Access

By train: Rače train station. The way to the pond complex is approximately 3 kilometres long and can be done either on foot or with a bicycle. From the train station you go on Ljubljanska street (Ljubljanska cesta) towards the roundabout at castle Rače. Here you turn south and continue on Ptujska street (Ptujska cesta) – with the fire station on our left. After 500 metres you reach the sign of the landscape park, you turn right and reach the area of Rače ponds in 100 metres.

Conditions

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Difficulty walking trail

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

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