Nature

Montenegrin part of the Lake Skadar was declared a National Park in 1983 (IUCN category II). As an internationally important area for birds, Lake Skadar in 1989 acquired the status of IBA and it has been on the Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance since 1995, especially as a wetland birds’ habitat.

There are three bird habitats inside the national park, namely: Pančeva oka, Crni žar, and Manastirska tapija. On the lake live 264 species of birds, 73 species are nesting migratory birds, 18 species are regular visitors, 45 are winter guests and 12 species regularly spend summer without nesting. The reason for such a large variety of birds is ecological and geological peculiarity as well as undisturbed ecosystem.

Most often you can see cormorants, red, white and blue herons, grebes, mallards, Moor hens and others. A place of honor certainly occupies the Dalmatian pelican (Pelicaneus crispus). With a length of 160-190cm, weight 10-12kg, and a wingspan of up to 3m fascinates a large number of ornithologists who come every year because of these unusual birds.

Because of its feathery curls at the nape was named “curly” pelican, and hence vary from white pelicans, and body covered with blue-gray feathers. This species inhabits freshwater lakes and estuaries and is globally threatened. Dalmatian pelican is the main attraction of Lake Skadar and it’s trademark.

Lake Skadar has 48 fish species of which 15 are endemic. The best known are: bleak, eel, mullet, grasshoppers and others.Bleak is particularly interesting because it lives exclusively in the Skadar Lake.