December the 12th, 2024 – A rare bird has been discovered living at the Krka National Park. The species has been seen in Croatia before, but it primarily resides in the much colder climes of Norway, Russia and Iceland.
As Morski writes, the resident bird population at the Krka National Park area has now increased to 230 species. For the cute little snow bunting, however, even its wintering grounds are located further north than Croatia, so its discovery at the park is particularly interesting. A male snow bunting donning his beautiful winter plumage was spotted owing to careful observation being carried out by keen watchers.
“Protected areas such as the Krka National Park play a crucial role when it comes to preserving biodiversity and natural habitats. Every single new species that appears in this area, including the snow bunting, confirms the importance of our work in protecting and preserving this environment. This discovery also highlights how proper management and regular monitoring allow us to preserve not only specific species, but also entire ecosystems that are crucial for maintaining nature’s delicate balance,” explained director of the Krka National Park Public Institution, Nella Slavica.
The snow bunting is otherwise 15 to 18 cm long, and if we do say so ourselves – incredibly sweet to look at. It builds its nests in high mountains and rocky northern shores, and in winter, it often resides in open coastal pastures and on heaths. These birds are quite secretive, but are often noticed as they have a tendency to be restless and active, and are constantly on the move.
For Croatia, the snow bunting is a rare bird, and the Krka National Park has every reason to be proud of its exceptional bird life. With as many as 229 different bird species recorded so far, 88 of them spend the winter at the park. The latter showcases how the park is an important resting place for migratory birds. The discovery of this snow bunting confirms the importance of continuing to preserve the ecosystem of this gorgeous Croatian national park, as well as that across the country.
