Sustainable Birdwatching Tour of Vrana Lake Nature Park

Eco wildlife experience in Zadar Hinterland

Experienced polar guide Paola Palavecino is fresh from a season in Antarctica to bring birdwatchers to the Zadar hinterland – a bird corridor between Africa and Northern Europe. These wetland and coastal areas are rich with birdlife and biodiversity – with over 250 species recorded at Vrana Lake.

This tour is private and on request only.
Tour includes collection from your hotel, villa or private accommodation, all transfers during the tour, refreshments and picnic lunch.
Bring your binoculars, camera, comfortable shoes, hat and sunscreen.OPTIONAL:
This tour can add kayaking on Vrana Lake. Available at an additional cost.SUSTAINABILITY NOTES:
We encourage guests to avoid bringing any single-use plastic items along on this tour.
All guests will receive a stainless steel Secret Dalmatia water bottle in appreciation for your cooperation.

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Tour description

What you'll see on this tour

It’s up with the sparrows, for an early morning start to visit the ornithological reserve and trail by the expansive Vrana Lake. As Croatia’s largest body of water, RAMSAR designated Vrana Lake has over 256 recorded species. In Spring and Autumn, 104 species can be found nesting and feeding. The global survival of 13 species is reliant on their nesting at Vrana Lake.
These include the purple heron, great egret, spotted crake, pygmy cormorant and moustached warbler.

We arrive at the trail for an introduction to the general geography and geology of the area. At the first observation station, our guide discusses bird ecology, use of habitat and feeding behaviour. We head on to the final observation station for higher ground birdwatching and photography.

The tour then progresses to a vantage point overlooking the islands of the Kornati archipelago before an afternoon of mild hiking among karstic stone paths in search of the renowned rock partridge.
Guests are returned to their accommodation, hopefully with an abundance of birds sighted and local eco souvenirs.

Quick Info

Zadar

Vransko jezero

Importance of Vrana Lake

Areas within Zadar county serve as a migratory bird corridor between Europe and Africa. The region hosts a number of bird nesting, wintering and resting areas. Among them is Vrana Lake (RAMSAR designation number 2109). This location is rich in history and biodiversity. It was selected for the Blue Boost project for its rich history, biodiversity and birdwatching options and proves our commitment to cultural and environmental preservation.

Vrana Nature Park hosts 60 per cent of the entire bird population of Croatia, with 256 species and at peak periods up to 100,000 migratory birds. Neighbouring village Vrana has three natural water springs, Knight Templar castle ruins and an historic Ottoman Era building. For the full day at Vrana Lake, lunch is at a breathtaking lookout, the Vidikovac Kamenjak , which crowns Vrana Lake and has expansive views over the Kornati archipelago