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Description
Deliblato Sands Nature Reserve is so conveniently close to Belgrade city that you can choose to go only for the morning and to be back by noon, or to spend the entire day in the sands. Covered by grazing pasture, steppic habitats, woodland, scrub, conifer plantations, vineyards and agricultural land, the Deliblato Sands Important Bird Area and a Special Nature Reserve comprises an elongated tract of sand, spreading from the Danube River northwest towards Vladimirovac and Banatski Karlovac villages. More than half of the area of Deliblato Sands is now overgrown with planted forest of Locust Tree, Austrian Pine and Scots Pine. Juniper is the only conifer indigenous to the area. It was gazetted as a nature reserve in 1977.
About 180 bird species have been recorded here, among them Prdavac, Leganj, Zmijar, Osičar, Riđi mišar, Patuljasti orao, Eja livadarka, Pčelarica, Ćuk, Pupavac, Vijoglava, Zelena žuna, Siva žuna, Rusi svračak, Sivi svračak, Ćubasta ševa, Šumska ševa, Stepska trepteljka, Pirgasta grmuša, Vuga, Mali slavuj, Batokljun, etc. Generally, the best birding is in ecotones where forest meets grassland, and wherever there is any source of water.
Other wildlife is characterized by species of steppe habitats. When butterflying Deliblato Sands and nearby Labudovo Okno Reserve, look out for Southern Festoon Z. polyxena, Clouded Apollo P. mnemosyne, Danube Clouded Yellow C. myrmidone, Large Copper L. dispar, Green-underside Blue G. alexis. Bats iclude threatened Geoffroy's bat Myotis emarginatus, Natterer's bat M. nattereri, and Brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus. Forests are inhabited by Red Deer, Wild Boar and Golden Jackal. Grasslands hold rarities like Ground Squirrel, Mole Rat and Steppe Gerbil - all of them highly threatened.
Be sure to bring at least a litre of water per person. You can restock at petrol stations, but do not count on village shops with their erratic opening hours.
Details
Access
The best access roads are from Vladimirovac village (north) to Devojački bunar area (in the arable fields en route, look out for the highly localised Mala ševa), from Deliblato village (west) to Čardak area, and from Šušara village (east) into surrounding areas. Šušara is reachable from Izbište village; and not from Deliblato, as suggested by Google Maps. Do not try to drive the Deliblato to Šušara “road”, unless you are driving a Hummer or similar! Zoom in on the map and click on the "P" (parking) sign for driving directions.
If driving along an unpaved road (99%), be extra careful not to start a wildfire by an overheated exhaust pipe! Also, don’t damage the sensitive steppe vegetation by driving at will: follow only the existing dirt tracks and be careful not to get lost, nor stuck in the sand.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Grassland , Steppe , Dunes , Scattered trees and bushesConditions
Flat , Sandy , Dry , Open landscape , DustyCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
SpringBest time to visit
Spring migration , Spring , Autumn migrationRoute
Unpaved road , Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , CarBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
The Čardak area (southwest side, from Pančevo, through Kovin and Deliblato and, then, to Čardak; 60 min from Belgrade) could be the most suitable for short, morning visits because of its closeness to Belgrade and the network of marked walking trails ranging from 3.5 to 15 km (check the map among the photos), followed by excellent Turkish coffee and fresh muffins in the local restaurant.
For several days, your best option is the Kaštel Marijeta (Mariette) Guest House in the Šušara Village (eastern side, from Pančevo towards Vršac till Uljma, then right to Izbište, and right again to Šušara; 100 min from Belgrade), in and around the village offering Ćuk, Crna žuna, Vuga, Sivi svračak, Ćubasta ševa, Daurska lasta, Pirgasta grmuša, Stepska trepteljka, Crnoglava strnadica, Vinogradska strnadica, etc. (see the links below).
Links
- Deliblato Sands Special Nature Reserve authorities
- Kaštel Marijeta Guest House, Šušara Village -- unparalleled birding opportunities
- The Čardak Area
- The Šušara area
- All eBird hotspots combined