Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve

Camargue horses live freely in the wild in the marshes at the mouth of the river Rhone in France. The breed is very old and has adapted through natural selection to live in the swamp. In the early nineties they were brought from France to the Soča River-mouth Nature Reserve in Italy, from where we got them to Škocjanski zatok.

Discover the marvels of Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve, Slovenia’s largest brackish wetland nestled in an urban setting where nature thrives alongside humans. Despite its modest size, this reserve offers a rich tapestry of biodiversity, boasting rare animal and plant species within its brackish lagoon, including unique halophytes found only here and in select areas nearby.

The combination of brackish and freshwater habitats makes Škocjanski zatok a very diverse environment.
The area is very interesting because of its high bird diversity. 
You can also visit the bird observatory.

With its variety of brackish and freshwater habitats, Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve is a heaven not only for wildlife, but also for all those who like to observe and enjoy nature. The area is particularly interesting because of its high bird diversity. Since 2001 a total of 266 different bird species have been recorded on this protected area’s 122,7 hectares. Different species occur at certain times of year and in varying numbers. Some species are breeding birds, others are winter visitors, while some only stop-over here for a short time during migration. Breeding birds have a higher conservation value and are therefore the most interesting group. Up to 50 species of breeding birds have been recorded at the reserve so far, although the exact number varies from year to year. The brackish lagoon is an important habitat for the breeding of Common (Sterna hirundo) and Little Terns (Sternula albifrons) which form mixed colonies on the muddy islands. Other birds nesting in the same habitat in good numbers include Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) and Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius). The rare Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) has recently re-colonised the lagoon after a decade-long absence, while the Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta), another rare breeding bird in Slovenia, established a small nesting population in 2019.

Visit Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve for an immersive experience in Mediterranean wetland wonders and witness firsthand the harmonious coexistence of nature and humanity.

The freshwater section of the reserve, Bertoška bonifika, was created to offset wetland loss due to urbanization, providing essential habitats for birds through wet meadows, reedbeds, and deep water areas. Remarkably, this small area hosts an impressive 259 bird species, representing over 60% of all bird species observed in Slovenia.

Thanks to meticulous restoration efforts, the reserve’s biodiversity has flourished, marking it as a significant success in modern nature conservation.