Birdwatching at Skadar Lake
About 280 species live in and around the lake. The reeds where they nest start at the end of our garden.
Can you watch birds at Skadar Lake?
Yes. Skadar Lake is one of Europe's major bird reserves, with about 280 species recorded inside the national park, among them one of the last Dalmatian pelican colonies in Europe. The reeds where they live start at the end of our garden in Ponari, so you are close before you even leave the resort.
The Montenegrin side of the lake has been a national park since 1983. It covers 391 square kilometres in total, two thirds of it in Montenegro and the rest in Albania, and the shallow channels along the northern shore near Ponari are some of the quietest parts of the whole park.
Winter and early spring are the best months. That is when the pelican and pygmy cormorant colonies are easiest to see, before the reeds fill out for summer and the birds spread further out across the water. Bring binoculars if you own a pair, we do not rent them.
How to get out to the birds
By boat
Our own mooring is a short walk from the cabins. Boat tours run into the quiet channels where the pelicans and herons feed, without disturbing them.
By kayak
Kayaks and paddleboards let you get closer without an engine. Good for the narrow channels near the shore, where birds sit low in the reeds.
From the shore
You do not need a boat at all. The reeds start at the end of our garden, and herons and egrets feed along the open water within sight of the cabins.
Best season
Winter and early spring bring the pelican and cormorant colonies closest to shore. Summer is warmer but the birds spread out and the reeds grow tall.
Skadar Lake in figures
Questions about birdwatching at Skadar Lake
How many bird species live at Skadar Lake?
About 280 species have been recorded in the national park, on the Montenegrin side of the lake. It is one of the largest bird reserves in Europe.
Can you see pelicans at Skadar Lake?
Yes. The lake holds one of the last Dalmatian pelican colonies in Europe, along with pygmy cormorants, herons and egrets. Winter and early spring are the best months to see them.
When is the best time for birdwatching?
Winter and early spring. The colonies sit closer to shore then, and the reeds have not yet filled out for summer.
Do I need a boat to watch birds?
No. The reeds start at the end of our garden, so you can watch birds from the shore. A boat or kayak gets you further into the quiet channels where the colonies feed.
Is Skadar Lake a protected area?
Yes. The Montenegrin side has been a national park since 1983. The lake itself covers 391 square kilometres, shared between Montenegro and Albania.
What should I bring?
Binoculars, if you have a pair. We do not rent them out. Beyond that, whatever you would normally bring for a few hours outdoors.
