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Reva-Čapljin Levees and the Pumping Station

Belgrade  >  Serbia

The Reva – Capljin Levees and especially the Pumping Station Area is likely the second best birding spot in Belgrade (after Beljarica).

Added* by Dragan Simic
Most recent update 17 August 2023

Description

The Reva–Čapljin area offers several kilometres of grassy levee with the Danube backwaters on its southern side, with more than 150 bird species recorded so far (120 of them strictly protected species). Take a walk along the levee, overlooking the flood retention basin ponds, willow and poplar forests, as well as hybrid black poplar plantations.

Among the birds you can see here are Garganey, Ferruginous Duck, European Turtle Dove, Wood Sandpiper , Whiskered Tern, Black Stork, Pygmy Cormorant, Little Bittern, Squacco Heron, Syrian Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker , Golden Oriole , Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Marsh Warbler , Hawfinch , Savi's Warbler , etc. Four active nests of White-tailed Eagle s are located in this and the neighbouring Reva Pond area, making this the highest population density of this species anywhere in Serbia! Of course, their foraging areas cover a much larger territory of tens of square kilometers each. Rarities spotted from this levee include Red-necked Grebe , Short-toed Snake Eagle and even a Griffon Vulture! Also, Roe Deer and Wild Boar can be seen in the area.

The Reva–Čapljin backwaters are a part of the international ecological corridor along the Danube River, as well as the “Confluence of the Sava and the Danube Rivers” Important Bird Area (IBA).

From the end of April, carry an insect repellent for mosquitoes.

Details

Access

If you arrive by car, click on a P in the map for directions to a parking. No driving is allowed on the levee, only cycling and walking. Park in the shade by the pumping station, or at the end of the Reva Pond Road, climb the levee and explore further on foot. Right in front of the pumping station is a particularly good area, but you can also explore left and right. There is hardly any shade on the levee—carry plenty of water on hot days. Reachable with the city bus #108.

Please follow the top of the levee birding route (about 5 km). It is definitely not recommended to enter the basin itself, as wild sows with piglets can behave aggressively, and it is flooded in huge areas anyways.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Forest , Lake

Conditions

Flat , No shadow , Open landscape

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

Spring , Autumn

Best time to visit

Spring , Spring migration

Route

Wide path , Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

This area is threatened by the city officials’ construction plans to build the bulk cargo terminal of the new port in Belgrade in the very middle of it, in front of the Pumping Station (asterisk).

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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Comments & Tips

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