An ornithological reserve: an introduction to the magical world of birds

The Junior Rangers of the National Park Krka spent an unforgettable day in the Vrana Lake Nature Park.

On Tuesday, 1 September 2026, the young nature guardians of the Krka National Park spent a day-long educational visit to the Vrana Lake Nature Park. The morning part of the programme was dedicated to getting to know the ornithological reserve, including a tour of the hiking trail along Lake Vrana, with a visit to the Biosphere Multimedia Center in Biograd in the afternoon.

Lake Vrana is the largest lake in the Republic of Croatia, and the Vrana Lake Nature Park is an ideal destination for exploring the mysterious world of birds. As one of the five most important protected bird areas in Croatia, the Vrana Lake Nature Park attracts dedicated birdwatchers, as well as true nature lovers, such as the Junior Rangers of the Krka National Park.

The ornithological reserve, declared long ago in 1983, is a fundamental phenomenon for the protection of the entire Vrana Lake Nature Reserve. It is characterised by its wealth of wildlife, especially ornithofauna. As part of the Vrana Lake Nature Reserve, the Bird Ringing Camp was established, with the aim of collecting data on the importance of Vrana Lake to the migratory routes of birds. Around six thousand birds are ringed annually, which, after placement of the tracking rings, are released unharmed. In addition to its scientific component, the Bird Ringing Camp also has an important educational component.

The Junior Rangers were welcomed at the ornithological station by ornithologists and volunteers, who generously taught them the techniques and goals of placing rings on birds, and also talked about the bird species that visit Vrana Lake National Park in large numbers during the migration period. The young nature guards then equipped themselves with binoculars and set off along a hiking trail in the ornithological reserve to observe, under expert guidance, the numerous species that inhabit the shores of Vrana Lake.

After an intensive educational morning, the Junior Rangers sought rest in the adventure park within the Crkvine Info Centre. The young adventurers indulged in various adventures to test their dexterity and courage. For those who desired additional knowledge, a workshop on the topic of birds was held in the shade of a dense pine forest.

The BioSfera Presentation Centre in Biograd rounded off the educational component of this visit. A rich program system and interactive multimedia content enabled a more detailed introduction to the natural gems of northern Dalmatia, the nature parks of Vrana Lake, Velebit, and Telašćica, as well as the national parks of Paklenica, Kornati, and Krka. The BioSfera Centre strives to support sustainable active tourism based on the natural heritage, while increasing the attractiveness and educational capacity of visitor infrastructures and facilities in the protected natural areas. In addition, the BioSfera Centre is also a volunteer centre, a place for implementing educational, cultural, and creative programmes, but also a centre for gathering the local community for relevant lectures and workshops.

Many thanks to the Vrana Lake Nature Park for their hospitality. And thank you from the bottom of our hearts to Norma, Ivana, Sandro, Maja, and Sandra for their kindness, efforts, and dedication – you make a wonderful team!