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Wild Birds

Bohinj offers excellent conditions for bird watching. It is possible to see over 85 different species of breeding birds during the year, amongst them several rare European boreo-montane species.

Wild birds

Forest

In mixed and boreal forests that cover the slopes of hills and mountains it is possible to observe more than 40 bird species that are restricted to the forest biome.

The most well-known is probably the capercaillie which is a very shy bird and can be only seen in spring on leks, accompanied by a guide.

Species like hazel grouse, honey buzzard, goshawk, ring ouzel, nutcracker, and oriole are common breeders in the Triglav National Park.

A large portion of dead wood makes suitable conditions for breeding of woodpeckers of which 7 species are present. The white-backed and three-toed woodpeckers are rare and distributed only locally but the black and grey-headed woodpeckers are abundant breeders.

There are also several species of owls breeding in forests around Bohinj. It is possible to hear, and with a little luck also see the ural owl, tengmalm’s owl and pygmy owl. Also eagle owl breeds on some locations in the valleys.

Alpine meadows

Alpine meadows on and above treeline are a great place to observe birds like black grouse, rock ptarmigan, alpine swift, water pipit and rock thrush.

The eastern-western orientation of the mountain ridges makes them also an ideal place to observe raptors. It is possible to daily see local breeders like golden eagle, goshawk, honey buzzard and common buzzard. Griffon vultures and lammergeiers from the Italian reintroduction programme also regularly pass through the area.

High mountains also offer a variety of bird species that are adapted to the life in a barren rocky environment.

The most numerous alpine bird species is the alpine chough which flies around in small loose flocks and can be regularly seen around lodges and ski resorts. Alpine accentor, western bonelli’s warbler, redpoll, snowfinch and wallcreeper are also common breeders but are more difficult to see.

You can visit them on your own or accompanied by an ornithologist, who will show you various species and their habitats.

Guided Ornithological excursions

- Program of bird watching trips with ornithologist

If you are interested in birdwatching with an ornithologist, contact us