Birdwatching Tour in Ulcinj Salina, Montenegro
This leisurely paced full-day Ulcinj Salina Birding Trip tours one of the most important areas for birds not only in Montenegro but the whole of Europe, as it is an important stopover for millions of birds along the Adriatic Flyway.
Founded in the 19th century, the salt pans at Ulcinj Salina have been continuously mined as one of the most important saltworks in the world. Salt production is still active today, resulting in around 20 million tonnes per year, and the region serves as a home to up to 240 species of resident and migratory birds. The area has been protected as a natural reserve since 1999.
The best time for birdwatching in Ulcinj Salina is first thing in the morning, which means an early start. During a walk between the salt pans you can expect to see Flamingos, Collared Pratincoles, Little Terns, Hazel Grouse, Sombre Tits, Kentish Plovers and Black-winged Stilts. The area is a breeding and nesting site for Adriatic Cormorants, Purple and Black-crowned Night Herons, European Rollers, Common Terns, Common Shelducks, Stone Curlews, Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egrets, Spoonbills and Pygmy Cormorants. In late autumn and winter, hundreds of Greylag Geese may be observed.
Following the tour of Ulcinj Salina, there will be the opportunity to stroll along the Velika Plaža (Long Beach), a 13-kilometre strip of sand backed by brackish marshes that is home to Crested Larks, Bee-eaters, European Rollers and Levant Sparrowhawks, as well as waders like the Ringed Plover, Grey Plover and Dunlin. You may also fancy taking a dip in the Adriatic.
The return trip from Ulcinj Salina calls in at the 800-year-old olive groves at Valdanos, with an opportunity to sample the region's acclaimed olive oil.
Highlights on this Ulcinj Salina Birding Trip include:
- Walk between the salt pans that form an important nesting site and a stopover along the Adriatic Flyway
- Stroll along the 13km Velika Plaža and its nearby wetlands
- Sample the olive oil produced in the groves at the Valdanos region
- The chance to see up to 200 species of nesting and migratory birds, with ample opportunities for photography
By taking part in this trip, you support conservation activities run by CZIP, the BirdLife partner in Montenegro.
If you have a little more time to spend on your holiday, maybe you’d consider a longer trip like this North Montenegro Birding Tour.
Alternative Tour Name: Birds, Salt and Olive Oil (Ulcinj Salina Birdwatching Tour)
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