Europe
Slovenia (Photographic)........4th to 11th May 2024
Photography: Birds and Bears
Slovenia is one of the smallest countries in Europe, located at the meeting point of the Alps, the Adriatic Sea and the Pannonian Plain. It has borders with Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia.
With a population of only about two million, it boasts vast forests, rich biodiversity and numerous protected areas and parks. According to the Good Country Index, it is among the most environmentally friendly countries in the world. Nearly 60% of the surface area is covered by forests. In addition there are numerous wetlands.
In spite of the country’s small size a remarkable number of bird species have been recorded and as many as 219 have been found breeding. On this tour, from various hides we will hope for chances to see and photograph species such as European Bee-eater, Eurasian Pygmy Owl, Little Bittern, Great Reed Warbler, Reed Warbler, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Crake and Great-crested Grebe. There should also be a very good opportunity to photograph European Brown Bear.
Day 1: Race
We will start with afternoon photography around Race ponds and Požeg Nature Park which are located on the edge of the Drava Plain. The park consists of lowland flood forests, meadows with hedges and stagnant water bodies. In this area you should have an opportunity to photograph Little Owl and Ural Owl. As well as owls, Grey Heron, Great Egret, Common Kingfisher, Ferruginous Duck and Little Crake are possible and with a bit of luck, White-tailed Eagle.
Overnight - Gostišce Iršic
Day 2: Race / Pohorje
We will spend most of the day on the Pohorje Mountains. Rising to 1,543 metres, these mountains feature vast areas of protected forest, lakes and waterfalls. They are home to about 90 bird species but we will concentrate on Eurasian Pygmy Owl, Three-toed, Black and Grey-headed Woodpeckers, Nutcracker, Red Crossbill and Ring Ouzel.
There is also a good variety of butterfly species.
Overnight - Gostišce Iršic
Day 3: Race fishponds
We will spend the day around Race fishponds where several hides should provide opportunity to photograph a good variety of mostly wetland bird species. Those present include Ferruginous Duck, Little Bittern, Common Kingfisher, Great Reed Warbler, Red-crested Pochard, Common Cuckoo and Western Marsh Harrier.
Overnight - Gostišce Iršic
Days 4 & 5: Ormož
Ormož in the Ljutomer region is known as one of the best gastronomic regions of Slovenia. Winemaking has been around this north-eastern part of the country since long before the Romans arrived. The Ormož-Ljutomer hills have always offered ideal conditions for the production of white wines. Around the vineyards in this spectacular landscape we should have great photo opportunities with European Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Common Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker, Turtle Dove and Red-backed Shrike among the target species.
Nearby, we will also visit the Ormož Basins, a 135-acre man-made wetland which lies within the Drava River ecosystem close to the Ormož Lake. The site consists of shallow pools with reeds and rushes surrounded by flooded forest. The wetland is of exceptional national and international significance for many endangered bird species. Our target bird species for photo sessions here will include Little Bittern, Great Reed Warbler, European Reed Warbler and Black-crowned Night Heron.
Overnight - Gostišce Iršic
Days 6 & 7: Brown Bear photography Today we transfer to the Kocevje Forest and spend the afternoon attempting to photograph Brown Bear. The unspoiled nature of Kocevje is always something special and a photo session with a Bears can be an exciting experience.
Overnight - Kostel
Day 8: Departure via Lake Cerknica
Depending on flight time we will try to spend some time on the way to the airport at Lake Cerknica, which when full is one of the largest intermittent lakes in Europe. It is a unique place for flora and fauna. Common Rosefinch and Baillon’s Crake breed here, there are high densities of Sedge Warblers and Water Rails and it is one of the best places in Slovenia to see Corncakes and Whinchats. Many Red-footed Falcons migrate through and Black Storks and White-tailed Eagles are not hard to see.
Tour ref: AA24**
Cost: £2,295
Deposit: £400
Single Room Supplement: £100
Leader: Peter Dedicoat
Max Group: 6 + Leaders
Includes: Accommodation based on twin occupancy, meals, transport in Slovenia & services of leaders.
Excludes: Flights, Travel insurance, drinks & items of a personal nature.
In spite of the country’s small size a remarkable number of bird species have been recorded and as many as 219 have been found breeding. On this tour, from various hides we will hope for chances to see and photograph species such as European Bee-eater, Eurasian Pygmy Owl, Little Bittern, Great Reed Warbler, Reed Warbler, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Crake and Great-crested Grebe. There should also be a very good opportunity to photograph European Brown Bear.
Day 1: Race
We will start with afternoon photography around Race ponds and Požeg Nature Park which are located on the edge of the Drava Plain. The park consists of lowland flood forests, meadows with hedges and stagnant water bodies. In this area you should have an opportunity to photograph Little Owl and Ural Owl. As well as owls, Grey Heron, Great Egret, Common Kingfisher, Ferruginous Duck and Little Crake are possible and with a bit of luck, White-tailed Eagle.
Overnight - Gostišce Iršic
Day 2: Race / Pohorje
We will spend most of the day on the Pohorje Mountains. Rising to 1,543 metres, these mountains feature vast areas of protected forest, lakes and waterfalls. They are home to about 90 bird species but we will concentrate on Eurasian Pygmy Owl, Three-toed, Black and Grey-headed Woodpeckers, Nutcracker, Red Crossbill and Ring Ouzel.
There is also a good variety of butterfly species.
Overnight - Gostišce Iršic
Day 3: Race fishponds
We will spend the day around Race fishponds where several hides should provide opportunity to photograph a good variety of mostly wetland bird species. Those present include Ferruginous Duck, Little Bittern, Common Kingfisher, Great Reed Warbler, Red-crested Pochard, Common Cuckoo and Western Marsh Harrier.
Overnight - Gostišce Iršic
Days 4 & 5: Ormož
Ormož in the Ljutomer region is known as one of the best gastronomic regions of Slovenia. Winemaking has been around this north-eastern part of the country since long before the Romans arrived. The Ormož-Ljutomer hills have always offered ideal conditions for the production of white wines. Around the vineyards in this spectacular landscape we should have great photo opportunities with European Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Common Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker, Turtle Dove and Red-backed Shrike among the target species.
Nearby, we will also visit the Ormož Basins, a 135-acre man-made wetland which lies within the Drava River ecosystem close to the Ormož Lake. The site consists of shallow pools with reeds and rushes surrounded by flooded forest. The wetland is of exceptional national and international significance for many endangered bird species. Our target bird species for photo sessions here will include Little Bittern, Great Reed Warbler, European Reed Warbler and Black-crowned Night Heron.
Overnight - Gostišce Iršic
Days 6 & 7: Brown Bear photography Today we transfer to the Kocevje Forest and spend the afternoon attempting to photograph Brown Bear. The unspoiled nature of Kocevje is always something special and a photo session with a Bears can be an exciting experience.
Overnight - Kostel
Day 8: Departure via Lake Cerknica
Depending on flight time we will try to spend some time on the way to the airport at Lake Cerknica, which when full is one of the largest intermittent lakes in Europe. It is a unique place for flora and fauna. Common Rosefinch and Baillon’s Crake breed here, there are high densities of Sedge Warblers and Water Rails and it is one of the best places in Slovenia to see Corncakes and Whinchats. Many Red-footed Falcons migrate through and Black Storks and White-tailed Eagles are not hard to see.
Tour ref: AA24**
Cost: £2,295
Deposit: £400
Single Room Supplement: £100
Leader: Peter Dedicoat
Max Group: 6 + Leaders
Includes: Accommodation based on twin occupancy, meals, transport in Slovenia & services of leaders.
Excludes: Flights, Travel insurance, drinks & items of a personal nature.