Orava Reservoir

Orava Reservoir Slovakia

This large artificial reservoir lies in north-east Slovakia close to the border with Poland and forms an important stop-over point for migrants during passage periods. There are sand and pebble beaches around the reservoir and marshes and damp woodland, meadows and farmland in the surrounding area. Forests of mainly spruce and pine occur on the hillsides but much of the lower land has been cleared for hay-meadows

Many species can be seen in these varied habitats including storks, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Spotted Crake, Corn Crake, Red-backed Shrike and Common Rosefinch. However, much of the area is pine forest and frequented by Hazel and Black Grouse, Grey-headed and Black Woodpecker. In spring and autumn divers and grebes, waterfowl and raptors, herons and waders all pass through in good numbers.

The reservoir is just north-west of the E77 road to the Polish border close to the town of Orava. Passage periods are the best time to visit as the reservoir is popular with tourists in mid-summer.

Birds

Birds you can see here include:

Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Black Stork, (PM), White Stork, Eurasian Spoonbill, White-tailed Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Northern Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Osprey, Hazel Grouse, Black Grouse, Spotted Crake, Corn Crake, Golden Plover, Common Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Tern, Black Tern, European Nightjar, Common Kingfisher, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Blackbird, Red-backed Shrike, Great Grey Shrike, Common Rosefinch

Content and images originally posted by Steve