Wildlife Holidays in Serbia

One owl species, above all other creatures, makes this area truly remarkable. The traditional farming methods employed across the Vojvodina region support booming populations of rodents, especially of the ubiquitous Field Vole; this abundant food source in turn attracts scarcely believable numbers of wintering Long-eared Owl, a bird that is typically scarce and elusive elsewhere across its wide range. However, while there is no shortage of food, the meadows and grain fields of Vojvodina lack natural tree cover, and therefore there are few suitable roosting sites for the predators. They have solved this problem by moving in with humans; throughout the winter, the little town of Kikinda hosts the largest concentration of Long-eared Owls anywhere on Earth.

Between them, Kikinda’s parks, churchyards and tree-lined streets can support almost a thousand owls, with as many as 150 birds roosting in a single tree – an astonishing avian spectacle amidst ordinary urban surroundings. The owls here enjoy shelter from harsh winter winds, a warmer microclimate, and formal protection, as much of the town centre has been designated a nature reserve. Kikinda’s Long-eared Owl gathering is arguably Serbia’s most impressive wildlife spectacle, and a uniquely memorable birding experience.   

While the owls are the undoubted highlight of a visit to Serbia, the country’s north has much more besides to offer the visiting naturalist. Kikinda’s town centre and nearby woodlands also support Little Owl, Syrian Woodpecker, Hawfinch and Black Redstart, while the wider Vojvodina region contains some of Europe’s most important grassland and wetland habitats, which teem with winter wildfowl. Across these habitats can be found huge flocks of Greylag and White-fronted Geese, alongside predators such as White-tailed Eagle and Marsh Harrier; even the enigmatic Saker Falcon can occasionally be seen. One particularly notable site is Kapetanski Rit, a protected mosaic of marshes, reedbeds and open water supporting a fabulous diversity of birdlife. Many species will be familiar to travellers from further north, such as Shoveler, Teal, Pochard and Shelduck, but the reserve is also a stronghold for more localised birds like Pygmy Cormorant, while charismatic Bearded Reedling and Penduline Tit flit through the reeds.

Even more notable is the Carska Bara Nature Reserve, where a complex of lakes and canals, surrounded by marsh and mixed woodland, provides access to a remarkable array of animal and vegetable life. Over 500 species of plant have been recorded here, along with an abundance of unusual birds. Amongst the flocks of common wildfowl, rarer species like Ferruginous Duck, Smew, Lesser White-fronted and Red-breasted Geese occasionally appear, while predators can include Hen Harrier, Peregrine and Merlin. Meanwhile, nearby fields often support stately parties of Common Crane, whose primeval bugling calls ring out across the timeless landscape.

Serbia may not be Europe’s most famous or well-visited nation for natural history, but in the Long-eared Owls of Kikinda the country offers one of the world’s most marvellous avian experiences. When combined with the abundant winter wildlife of Vojvodina, with its sweeping plains and thriving wetlands (as well as the wonderful cultural highlights of Belgrade and the historic city of Novi Sad), Serbia transforms into a richly compelling destination.

What’s special about its wildlife?

Serbia’s undisputed wildlife highlight is the remarkable gathering of Long-eared Owls in Kikinda. In winter, this small northern town hosts hundreds of owls, whose piercing orange-red eyes glare down at visiting birders almost from every branch overhanging the tree-lined streets. However, the surrounding countryside of Vojvodina also contains some of Serbia’s most nature-rich landscapes, with spectacular wetlands supporting Pygmy Cormorant, Penduline Tit, vast flocks of wildfowl, and thrilling avian predators such as White-tailed Eagle, Marsh and Hen Harrier, Peregrine and Merlin.

Other wildlife is not particularly abundant or obvious in the depths of the Balkan winter, but a few interesting mammals can nevertheless be found amongst the fields, forests and fens, including Roe Deer, Brown Hare, Beech Marten and Golden Jackal.