Beljarica is a spacious floodplain of the left bank of the Danube, north of the Pupin’s Bridge, gaining width about one kilometre from the bridge. This area is criss-crossed by river branches and ponds and overgrown in stands of oak and ash, willow and poplars, but largely under hybrid black poplar plantations.
Black Stork and several pairs of White-tailed Eagles breed here. Eight species of ducks and 8 species of herons and egrets were recorded in Beljarica, including Garganey and Ferrouginous Duck, Black-crowned Night and Purple Herons, as well as the Eurasian Spoonbill. Black Kite is mostly observed during migration, alhough it might also breed here. In winter, Hen Harrier is regular. Waders appear in late summer, including Black-winged Stilts, Green and Wood Sandpipers, Ruffs, Spotted Redshanks and Common Greenshanks, Dunlins, Little Stints and Common Snipes. Common Kingfisher, Common Hoopoe and the European Bee-eater come from their nesting holes at the high loess-bluff of the opposite, right bank of the river. Middle Spotted, Great Spotted and Syrian Woodpeckers were found here; as well as the Eurasian Hobby, while Red-footed Falcons were observed on migration only. Finally, Common and Lesser Whitethroat and the Blackcap should be mentioned, together with Wood and Willow Warbler and the Common Chiffchaff (most obvious during the September-October migration).
Getting there: the easiest access is from the Belgrade suburb of Zemun, on foot across the Pupin’s Bridge and then deownstairs onto the dyke. Contrinue north (left). The other option is by car from the Zrenjanin Road, through Kovilovo (which is reached by bus No. 106).
When to go: breeding and migration, mostly April to June and August – September; although it can be interesting in winter as well, if there is no ice.
Unfortunately, there are some plans for this area to become the new harbour of the city of Belgrade which would mean total annihilation of the area in terms of existing flora and fauna, despite several initiatives to protect this particular area that were launched in the previous years.
eBird list of the recorded specias: http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L2481937
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