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Description
Obedska bara Nature Reserve is an old meander of the Sava river which became still water and nowadays is a big wetland that extends in the shape of a horseshoe between villages Obrež and Kupinovo. Vegetation includes reedbeds, willow-poplar and oak forests. The length of the oxbow lake is about 13.5 km and the maximum width is 750 m. The surface of the pond is changing, and today it is about 7 km2. The average water level does not exceed 2.5 metres, even during the rains. Obedska bara is one of the few still-preserved floodplain areas with more than three centuries old mixed oak forests (Debela gora special reserve, to be visited with a reserve warden only), which makes it an ideal place for numerous plant and bird species.
Over 222 bird species have been recorded here, with about 120 breeding in recent years. Look out for Kis kárókatona, törpegém, üstökösgém, Vörös gém, Kanalasgém, Batla, Fekete gólya, békászó sas, Rétisas, Barna kánya, Balkáni fakopáncs, Örvös légykapó, Sövénysármány, Berki tücsökmadár and Nádi tücsökmadár.
There were several mixed heron and cormorant colonies which in 2018 and 2019 reached a record 1000 to 1200 pairs of 8 species (part of it was visible from the “Matijevica” observation platform). Yet, the colony has not been active since 2020 due to dry springs and no flooding! It is believed that in the second half of the 19th century there were around 15,000 pairs within 9 species of herons and cormorants.
Other than birds, which surely are the most important and most numerous part of fauna, there are also 50 mammal species (including the Eurasian beaver), 13 amphibian species, 11 reptilian species and 16 fish species.
From the end of April, carry an insect repellent for mosquitoes.
Details
Access
Obedska bara is located 30 km from the Šimanovci exit of the Belgrade-Zagreb motorway. The distance from the capital of Serbia, Belgrade, is 60 km or less than an hour of driving. Access point is the Centre for information and education (see the map and click on the "P" for driving directions).
The waterside pathway, located on the edge of the swamp, starts from the "Kula Obeda" observation tower (marked / the main photo), goes NE over the small bridge and passes by the “Matijevica” observation platform (marked/recently rebuilt), from which a heronry can be observed. The trail ends at the second observation tower “Spomenik” (where the road forks into a triple junction). All the way, the trail goes through the riparian forest of the English oaks and white poplar.
Access to the Obedska Bara Nature Reserve is actually free of charge: it is not necessary to go via the Centre for information, which charges a (small) fee. Yet, the following activities are on offer starting from the Centre:
Paddle boats are available for rent. The sightseeing catamaran takes 25 visitors. And across the oxbow lake, there is a waterside pathway (total length 5 km). You can only enter this area by boat and with a local reserve guide.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Wetland , Grassland , ReedbedsConditions
Flat , Wet , Open landscapeCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Spring , Spring migration , Autumn migrationRoute
Wide path , Narrow trailDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
Foot , BoatBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
Obedska bara has been included in the Ramsar Convention list in 1977, as the first site in Serbia. In 1989 it was declared the international Important Bird Area (IBA).
Links
- Obedska bara Nature Reserve authorities
- eBird hotspot, west: "Kula Obeda" observation tower and the info centre area
- eBird hotspot, centre: "Matijevica" observation platform (overlooking the heronry)
- eBird hotspot, east: "Spomenik" observation tower