Montenegro is known for its stunning natural landscapes, pristine beaches, and historic old towns. However, there is one hidden gem that is often overlooked by visitors, and that is the Ulcinj Salina.
Milica Buha
Location and History
Located in the southernmost part of Montenegro, Ulcinj Salina is a unique saltwater lagoon covering an area of 1,500 hectares. It is a part of the Bojana-Buna Delta, which is considered to be one of the most important wetland areas in the Balkans. The Salina has been used for salt production for centuries and was one of the most significant salt pans in the Mediterranean during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Also Read: Ultimate Guide to Ulcinj
Importance for Bird Watching
The Salina is a bird-watcher’s paradise, home to 250 bird species, including 19 globally endangered species. It is an essential breeding, resting, and wintering site for hundreds of thousands of birds, including the Dalmatian Pelican, the Greater Flamingo, and the Spoonbill. The Black-winged Stilt is a typical species present here, and unsurprisingly the Salina is the only breeding place for this little, long-legged bird in Montenegro. The Salina is labeled as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International, and its significance extends beyond Montenegro, with about half of all native bird species occurring in Europe found here.
Ulcinj Salina: The Best Time to Visit
The most beautiful part of the year in Ulcinj Salina is spring, when lots of species come to enjoy this area. During the springtime, the Ulcinj Salina is a transitory phase with more than 40,000 migrating birds a day. But, when spring is over, the summer heat becomes too hot, and many species look for cooler places. In autumn, the majority of nesting birds are getting ready for the journey south, while tired birds from Siberia and Northern Europe enjoy the Mediterranean winter, which is rainy but with little frost.
Also Read: What is the weather like in April?
Eco and Medical Tourism Potential
Beside being a bird-watcher’s paradise, Saline in Ulcinj has great potential for developing its eco and medical tourism. Thanks to the anaerobic conditions of the mud in the basins that have created large stocks of medicinal mud, preliminary assessments have shown the mud’s high quality for the healing of arthritis and skin diseases.
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Ulcinj Saline: How to Visit
Visitors to the Salina can explore the area through guided tours, bird-watching activities, and educational programs. There are several local organizations and tour companies that specialize in bird-watching and eco-tourism, providing visitors with the chance to experience the Salina’s unique ecosystem and learn about the importance of preserving this hidden gem.
In conclusion, Ulcinj Salina is an unmissable destination for nature lovers and bird-watchers, with its vast wetland, unique saltwater lagoon, and wide variety of bird species. This hidden gem in Montenegro also has great potential for eco and medical tourism, offering visitors the chance to experience its healing properties and learn about the importance of preserving this unique ecosystem.
