Solila Nature Reserve
The Solila Nature Reserve is one of the rare wetlands on the Adriatic Flyway, a bird migratory corridor between Northern Europe and West Africa. The 150 hectares of marshlands are listed as a ‘Wetland of International Importance’ under the Ramsar Convention and as a Special Flora and Fauna Reserve under Montenegrin laws.
The Solila, which is a series of artificial, shallow, and expansive salt pans used for commercial salt production, lies between Kotor and Tivat on the Lustica Peninsula and played a crucial role in Kotor’s and Tivat’s economy during the Middle Ages when salt was still an expensive commodity. In the 20th century, when price declines made production unprofitable, birds moved in to feed on aquatic plants and shellfish that were abundant in the Solila.
Tivat
The chic coastal town of Tivat is considered one of the most beautiful in Montenegro. This lifestyle destination has an abundance of restaurants, shops, and boutique hotels.
Lustica Peninsula
Discover the Lustica Peninsula close to Tivat, known for its rolling hills, authentic stone villages, olive orchards, and refined vacation resorts.
The nature reserve is a key resting and feeding area for many migratory birds, including cormorants, flamingos (a rare sight), grebes, and grey herons, attracting birdwatchers from all over the world. While most of the birds are just temporary guests, some bird species live here all year round; but you don’t have to be an ornithologist to appreciate the beauty and serenity of this place.
A system of pedestrian and cycling trails permeates the Solila, and sufficient benches are there in case you want to take a break or just reconnect with nature. Come during summer and observe egrets and herons while smaller songbirds such as wagtails, swallows, and birds of prey like the marsh harrier dominate the landscape in autumn and spring.
There are two wooden bird-watching towers on the compound and a viewing platform on the road to Tivat from where you can try to catch a fleeting glimpse of some beautiful birds. To maximize sightings, your timing needs to be right. The migration months are spring and autumn, and during this time of the year, the chances are highest to spot a bird.
Birdwatching in Montenegro
The Solila Nature Reserve is the perfect place to go birdwatching in Montenegro but there are other sites where more than 280 species of birds have been spotted.
In summer there are fewer migratory birds and the domestic ones like to hide in heavily leafed trees, away from any potential danger. Be wary of bright clothing, certain colors such as red or bright orange may scare birds away from you. Make sure to arrive early (if possible before sunset) to improve your chances further; when it comes to bird-watching, the early human catches the bird.
A decent pair of field glasses or spotting scopes with a longer lens and a lightweight tripod comes in extremely handy, too. From farther away, you can spot birds hiding in rocks and the marshlands more easily. A winter day in the Solilca can be very productive as well, with birds being forced out at unusual hours to scrounge all the food they can get after bad weather.
And if you don’t happen to see any birds sweeping gracefully along Tivat’s Riviera, this nature reserve is still a nice place to be for watching beautiful sunsets. The site is also the habitat for many endangered reptile species and sea turtles which are a common site. Entrance is free of charge and the park is open all day long.
Lake Skadar
The Skadar Lake is a vast freshwater reservoir between Montenegro and Albania. It is a popular birdwatching spot – the Dalmatian Pelican is a regular guest.