The Bank of Major Gavrilovic, usually called the Dorcol Promenade (Dorcolski kej), is possibly the best winter birding spot in the city. Majority of the duck rafts will be in the Danube alongside the Veliko Ratno Island, some 400 and more metres from the bank – spotting scope is recommended. The promenade is pedestrian-friendly, accessible in wheelchairs and there is a cycling path.
Some 170 species of birds were recorded at the Veliko Ratno Island, about 115 of them observed from this bank. There is a breeding pair of White-tailed Eagles at the Veliko Ratno Island and they can be seen year-round, but the best chances are in winter, when they hunt ducks around the island. Look out for the Ferruginous Duck, Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-crested Pochard, Greater Scaup, Velvet Scoter, and Black-throated Diver. While regular in winter, Pygmy Cormorants do not breed in the vicinity and are absent in spring and summer. In late February and March, the only duck species that does not overwinter here is heading back – the Garganey. By the end of March, Black Storks are back (they will be noticeable on autumn migration in late September and October, too), as well as Black-crowned Night Herons. In March and November, overhead Common Cranes are a possibility. Locally rare, the Little Gull was observed from September to November, while Caspian Tern was observed in September-October.
Getting there: The terminus of city buses 79 and 24 is in front of the Sports Center Milan Gale Muskatirovic, in the eastern section of the promenade. If you come by car, you can also park at a parking lot near Kula Nebojsa tower in the western part of the promenade (which may be flooded and inaccessible during seasonal floods as it is the lowest point of Belgrade riverbank).
When to go: The best period birdwise is from November to February, because the Danube in Serbia seldom freezes; although it did so recently, in February 2012, when the 1000 m wide river was frozen solid from bank to bank, causing a large mortality among waterbirds. Do not hurry in the morning because there is often mist hanging above the water.
eBird list of the recorded species: http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L2207343
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