10,000 Birds

MAY 21, 2020

Even among the protected areas of Serbia, Djerdap National Park stands out as better preserved than most. Along the Drina River, which marks the border between Serbia and Bosnia, lies the 6 km / 4 mi long and 500 m / 1600 ft deep Tresnjica River Gorge, on a small tributary of the Drina – and a Griffon Vulture Sanctuary.

Serbia 317

Serbia Sanctuary Birds Bosnia 317

10,000 Birds

APRIL 26, 2018

Our destination lies further west, along the Drina River, which marks the border between Serbia and Bosnia. We approach a low limestone cliff topped with separate rock formations, like a medieval city wall topped with parapets that offered protection to defenders. Checking it on my phone – yes, it is an Ortolan Bunting !

Serbia 105

Serbia Herzegovina Bosnia Sheep 105

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 26, 2015

No, I took a paddle and discovered the Danube backwaters (cover photo: 1995), the very same area I am fighting to protect now, but the Government, it seems, has an interested investor… Seeing the most valuable habitats disappearing in front of our eyes, environmentalists are quite prone to depression, but that is another story.

Serbia 189

Serbia Bosnia Research Lions 189

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 8, 2018

Yet, Bosnia and Herzegovina was the very heartland of former Yugoslavia, with Sarajevo in its geographical centre. My friend is an ornithologist at the National Museum, Bosnia’s biggest and best-endowed museum of ancient and, especially, natural history. Overhearing that, the waiter came and introduced himself “I am from Kosovo”.

Bosnia 139

Bosnia Croatia Herzegovina Slovenia 139