From Opus

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[edit] Overview

Albania is still practically unknown to Western birders and if the violence of the 1990s continues it is likely to remain largely undiscovered. However, tourism is increasing and many of the South-East European specialities are found here including Albania's national bird, the Dalmatian Pelican.

Karavasta is the largest wetland in the country and probably the best-known birding site and lies 100km south of Tirana. The site consists of two main lagoons separated from the sea by a pine-covered sandbar known as the Divjaka Forest.

The lagoons are the site of extensive fisheries but there remain large areas of bare sand and mud with scrub and some deciduous woodland.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

Dalmatian Pelican still breeds here in small numbers with more are present in winter but there has been a steep decline here at the species' Albanian stronghold. Great White Pelican occurs on passage as well as Great Cormorant and Pygmy Cormorant and Great White Egret. Other breeders include Common Tern, Little Tern and Collared Pratincole.

Pallid Harrier occurs on passage and Slender-billed Curlew may be regular during spring and autumn.

Greater Spotted Eagle is a rare visitor mainly in winter and White-tailed Eagle also winters. The area is important for wintering waterfowl and White-headed Duck has been recorded.

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Great Cormorant, Pygmy Cormorant, Great White Pelican, Dalmatian Pelican, Great White Egret, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, White-headed Duck, White-tailed Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Greater Spotted Eagle, Collared Pratincole, Pied Avocet, Slender-billed Curlew, Common Tern, Little Tern, Eurasian Hoopoe, Greater Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Great Reed Warbler, Woodchat Shrike

[edit] Other Wildlife

To do

[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

Although partly a National Park and the most important wetland site in the country this area is under threat from tourist development and from Italian hunters.

[edit] Areas of Interest

To do

[edit] Access and Facilities

The tourist infrastructure in Albania is still in its infancy but this will probably become a popular destination in the future for package holidays like so much of the coastal Mediterranean.

At the moment hotel accommodation is rather basic and expensive, car-hire difficult to find and public transport unreliable. However, there remains much to be discovered in this ornithologically little-known corner of Europe for the pioneering birder.

[edit] Contact Details

To do

[edit] External Links

• Coastal Guide to Karavasta
• Karavasta Lagoon on Google Maps

Content and images originally posted by Steve