Birding in Croatia in April 2024 was interesting. With close to 250 species recorded in the month, it was a really nice start of the spring migration and breeding season! Here, we will tell you about birding in second half of April, as well as some nice observations made throughout the month!
Plitvice lakes National Park
Birding in Plitvice lakes National Park has it’s set of challenges, but it’s always fun! Second half of April is usually warmer, with more stable weather and much more active birds because of it. Forests in the morning were beaming with activity, and that’s what I’ve been waiting the whole winter for! I can never get enough of Eurasian Treecreepers, creeping up the trees and singing, as well the high-pitched songs of Common Firecrest and Goldcrest. Most places are, however, too loud, thanks to Song Thrushes, and that’s not a bad thing at all.
Woodpecker activity was also quite strong. One morning of birding was enough to spot six different species! Great Spotted, Middle Spotted, Grey-headed, Black were the ones you can almost expect, but Three-toed Woodpecker and White-backed Woodpecker were a great prize for that day! However, I would say that watching the Collared Flycatcher male performing its mating dance around his tree cavity for the potential mate that was hiding in the foliage (picture bellow) was most rewarding! In the past, I’ve seen this quite a few times, but never this elaborate and this long. Collared Flycatchers are amazing looking birds, definitely one of our favorites.
Highlights of the month
There were several notable observations this month in Croatia. One of the biggest was European Storm Petrel, observed on April 28, 2024 in Rijeka. The bird was flying close and possibly following the flock of Yelkouan Shearwaters. European Storm Petrel is considered rare in Croatia, and if accepted by Croatian Bird Rarities Committee, it would be the 2nd record (as far as we are aware) for Croatia. Bird was observed by Vito Jovanović.
Birding the Pag island never disappoints. From Rock Partridge to the various rocky habitats, there is always something worth seeing. On April 30, Thomas Bamberger observed a Common Loon, also considered a rare species for Croatia, but with a few more observation than the Petrel. In the recent years, there have been a few observations of Common Loon in Croatia (this is the second observation for the year). Bird has been found a few days after that, by a local birder Nataša Semenčić Škoda who managed to take a photo of it. What would be the next interesting observation on the island?
A (very) cautious Common Loon seen on Pag Island. Photo by Nataša Semenčić Škoda.
Mirna River Delta usually has some great sightings, and among the many bird observed there in April, one definitely stood out – Great Spotted Cuckoo. One individual decided to stay close to the road, to the delight of a few lucky birders out that day. The bird was found by by two Austrian tourists, Christine Ludwig and Michael Hafner on April 8.
There were many amazing photos taken this April in Croatia, but one that stood out to us was of the Water Pipit by Šimun Aščić. This bird was in full breeding plumage and cooperative for the photo, making it worth sharing here.
As we reflect on this captivating month, we eagerly anticipate the next month, with hopefully equal amount of amazing observations, great birding trips and many, many birds in our lenses and scopes.
