Birding Bird searching tours in Slovenia

Guided by: Paul Veenvliet, Licensed Guide and Biologist

So, birding in Slovenia. Sure, there is a very long list of bird species, but what can I “produce” in a single day in mid-summer? The answer depends on your expectations. When you want to see a large number of rarities in a short amount of time, my reply becomes: no can do. But allow me to explain:

The first question I get is usually about owls and woodpeckers. They are certainly present and I also see them myself. I even have the photographs to prove it. But their habitat is the largest forest in central Europe and intensive commercial timber extraction has reduced their nesting opportunities. Especially outside of the breeding season, I find it hard to predict where, when, and if we see them, even when I take you to places where I saw them just a few days before.

How about waterbirds? Here in the karst, the presence of surface water is not a given. And without water, the chance to see waterbirds is not that high. Your best bet is to come in spring (April-May) or autumn (October) and definitely take a telescope. When there is water, the lakes offer a very extensive habitat and the birds may be far out. 

So what do I offer, when someone asks for a birding excursion? After explaining the above, I tend to go my favourite spots in the Karst (hoopoe, corn bunting, cirl bunting, in the evening also nightjar), to inland cliffs (rock bunting, blue rock thrush and a good chance for various birds of prey, even griffon vultures may fly past) or to the Slovene coast (Mediterranean shag, pygmy cormorant, egrets).  Village orchards are another option, with red-backed shrike, wryneck and fieldfare. Hear-but-no-see are corncrake and quail. 

I rather not over-promise and call it a nature excursion during which we will also see birds. If you are ok with that, I do promise that we will have a great day in the beautiful Slovenian nature. 

Pricing:

Customized tours are competitively priced between €120 and €250, depending on the number of participants and destinations. This pricing structure accounts for fuel costs related to transportation and often include me pre-visiting sites to determine our chances for success. 

If you’re interested in booking a customized tour or have specific requests in mind, please contact me! Together, we can create a memorable outdoor experience that celebrates the beauty and biodiversity of Slovenia’s natural landscape.

Contact me for booking biologist.paul@gmail.com or tel ++386 41 902 110