Northern Serbia Winter
Long-eared Owl Tour
Duration
4 December 2022 to 9 December 2022
“If you don’t see an owl on this trip David will eat his binoculars!”
Free loan of Leica Ultravid binoculars is available for the duration of the tour – subject to availability.
Please ask for details.
About Serbia
Serbia has rapidly become the most talked about birding destinations in Eastern Europe. Why? Because, it is officially the best place in the world to see Long-eared Owls. Indeed, it is the best place on the entire planet to see parliaments of owls in unimaginable numbers!
The great thing about this popular trip is that there is very little walking involved. Plus, we will never be too far away from a cup of coffee because most of our birding will be urban based.
We guarantee that you will leave Serbia beaming!
Tour overview
During the course of this short break we can guarantee more Long-eared Owls than you could ever imagine!
On arrival day we will transfer from Belgrade Airport to Hotel Centar No.1 then enjoy dinner together in the Bohemian Quarters of the city. We will base ourselves for most of the trip at Hotel Twenty (http://www.twenty.rs) a boutique hotel in Kikinda. Set in the now world famous Kikinda town square you will be right in the heart of the owl action!
The main square holds huge gatherings of Long-eared Owls – upwards of 800 in some years – and has been declared by the local government as a nature reserve. Indeed, Kikinda is the best place in the world to see Long-eared Owls.
Over the ensuing days we will spend our time exploring some of the towns and surrounding areas looking for owls, Great Grey Shrikes, White-tailed Eagle as well as wintering flocks of Common Cranes, White-fronted Geese. There is also the possibility of finding the majestic though sadly, endangered Saker Falcon.
On the final day we will journey back to Belgrade, after having dinner on the way in Novi Sad to again stay at Hotel Centar No.1, Belgrade. In the morning we will check-out and head to the airport.
Be assured that we will experience the celebrated hospitality and cuisine that Northern Serbia has to offer.
Expected birds
- Barn Owl
- Bearded Tit
- Caspian Gull
- Crested Lark
- Eurasian Sparrowhawk
- Ferruginous Duck
- Great Egret
- Great Grey Shrike
- Hawfinch
- Hen Harrier
- Little Owl
- Long-eared Owl
- Marsh Harrier
- Marsh Tit
- Merlin
- Northern Goshawk
- Penduline Tit
- Peregrine
- Pygmy Cormorant
- Raven
- Short-eared Owl
- Short-toed Treecreeper
- Syrian Woodpecker
- White-fronted Goose
- White-tailed Eagle
- Yellow-legged Gull
Itinerary
December 4
Arrive in Belgrade. Transfer to Hotel Centar No.1. Dinner in the Bohemian Quarters of the city.
Overnight stay in Hotel Centar No.1.
December 5
We transfer to Kikinda – the Owl Capital of the World – to see shedloads of Long-eared Owls. There will be stops along the way.
Dinner at Twenty Hotel. Overnight stay in Twenty Hotel.
December 6
We will start our morning in Kikinda Square before visiting a few other sites in the vicinity for more owls, Syrian Woodpecker and Hawfinch. Aside from seeing the owls we will also take in some of the cultural delights and cuisine that the town has to offer.
Dinner at Twenty Hotel. Overnight stay in Twenty Hotel.
December 7
After breakfast we will spend some time at Bačko Gradište village with yet more Long-eared Owls. Later, we will stop off at one of the largest carp fishponds in the country for Pygmy Cormorant, White-tailed Eagle, egrets and gulls.
We will end our afternoon at Fantast Castle – a flamboyant building constructed in the early 20th century by a lovelorn millionaire. We will explore its landscaped grounds for several owl species including Long-eared, Short-eared, Little and Barn Owls.
Dinner at Fantast Castle. Overnight stay in Twenty Hotel.
December 8
We hope to spend a fantastic day birding at Slano Kopovo Nature Reserve where up to 20,000 Common Crane and 14,000 White-fronted Goose can come to roost amongst the hordes of assembled Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Northern Shoveler and Eurasian Wigeon.
However, in recent times the wetlands at Slano Kopovo have been dry due to an ongoing drought. We may instead explore other sites in the vicinity in search of lesser numbers of the aforementioned species.
After a full day out we will journey south to Novi Sad for dinner. We will say goodbye to our guide, Milan, who lives in the city and then head to Belgrade to stay at our hotel.
Overnight stay in Hotel Centar No.1.
December 9
Morning transfer to Belgrade Airport for the flight home.
Special trip notes
It is requested that all participants arrive at Belgrade Airport by 5pm on Sunday 4 December – the first day of the tour. The group will be met by the group leaders David Lindo and Milan Ružić at the airport before being transferred to the Belgrade hotel.
Return flights will depart from Belgrade Airport from 1.15pm on Friday 9 December so you will be delivered there by 10am.
This trip is suitable for all ages and abilities.
Very little walking involved if we visit Slano Kopovo Nature Reserve. On that day we may walk upwards of 5km potentially over muddy terrain.
The weather can range from being mild to extremely cold so bring warm clothes.
Boots are essential for the Slano Kopovo Nature Reserve visit otherwise robust walking shoes will suffice.
Recommended field guide
Collins Bird Guide
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Price includes
- Full board accommodation
- Meals
- Transport in a comfortable minibus
- The services of your guides David Lindo (The Urban Birder) and Milan Ružić
- The optional loan of a pair of sexy Leica binoculars for the duration of the tour – subject to availability
Price does not include
- Airline tickets and airport taxes
- Personal travel insurance
- Entry fees to museums (if desired)
- Incidental refreshments at cafes and bars, plus all additional drinks
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“We have worked closely with David developing a bird watching tour to Serbia. His knowledge and creativity was second to none and of course, he escorts the tours with much enthusiasm and creativity which has gone down so well with guests on his tours. We look forward to working with the ‘Urban Birder’ in years to come as we continue to develop and expand on our birdwatching tours in Serbia”
