Join us for the European Birdwatching Weekend on 5-6 October!

The Serbian Bird Protection and Study Society (DZPPS) cordially invites all interested parties to join one of the numerous birdwatching excursions organized in over 30 locations throughout Serbia on 5 and 6 October as part of the traditional European Birdwatching Weekend.

Observing birds, or birdwatching as a hobby, has existed since the early 20th century and has been attracting more enthusiasts every year. Over the last 30 years, the European Birdwatching Weekend, organized by ornithological organizations under the auspices of BirdLife International, has brought together approximately 1.5 million birdwatchers in nature and organized over 50,000 excursions.

In our region, birdwatching attracts thousands of people, and judging by the number of DZPPS members and excursion participants, this outdoor leisure activity is gaining more and more supporters. Last year, over 850 people took part in 27 excursions across Serbia, with the majority being families with children.

Excursions are always held on the first weekend of October, when millions of birds leave their nesting grounds in Europe and migrate to wintering grounds in the Mediterranean or Africa. Serbia, with its protected and other significant bird habitats, is situated on the main bird migration route, allowing a significantly greater number of species to be observed compared to the breeding season.

On the bird migration route, birds face major challenges, the most serious of which are climate change, habitat loss, electrocution, collisions, hunting, as well as illegal capture and trade of birds. This year, the main focus is on organizing excursions to internationally important wetland areas, which are of great importance for birds, the environment, biodiversity, and people.

“Unfortunately, due to extremely high temperatures and drought this year, we have seen how much the lives of many wild animals, including birds, depend on water and moist habitats. Serbia is home to 11 Ramsar wetland sites, which are protected by the Ramsar Convention as extremely important for birds. However, according to estimates, 35% of wetlands have disappeared in the last 50 years due to drying out and the needs of agriculture, livestock grazing, and construction,” says Vilmos Barkoci, an ornithologist at DZPPS.

Excursions will be organized in over 30 locations across the country, in well-known reserves and nature parks (Zasavica, Zlatibor, Rusanđa), outside protected areas in urban areas (Futoški Park in Novi Sad, Zemun quay in Belgrade), near water bodies (Obračinsko Lake in Niš, Compensation Lake in Pirot, Swilow Ponds, Kapetanski Rit, and Bečej). Additionally, this year, there will be a trip to Taraš – a village in the Middle Banat, which has proudly held the title of European Stork Village for the past 10 years.

Participation in excursions is free upon mandatory pre-registration through a form, where you can also find a full list of locations.