Area description
Babji ložič is a 23 hectare forest reserve near Ljutomer. It is a remainder of the former extensive lowland oak-hornbeam forests that were once in the valley of river Ščavnica. Due to its features the habitat is protected as a natural value of national significance. In the reserve we can walk along mighty oak and hornbeam trees that give us a feeling of being in a primeval forest. The visit is especially recommended in March and April, when the ground is covered by a lush green carpet of typical lowland vegetation.

Access and trail description
We arrive to Ljutomer by train and get off at the station Ljutomer-mesto (Ljutomer-city). When we look across the tracks, we can already see the forest that is our goal. After carefully crossing the tracks we continue on a paved road for 50 m, then turn left and follow a field trail that leads us to river Ščavnica. By crossing the bridge we reach the edge of the reserve. The distance from the station to the reserve is about 600 meters. The visit of the reserve takes about two hours.

Birds
In Babji ložič we can see bird species typical for lowland forests. In early spring the black, green, great spotted, middle spotted and lesser spotted woodpecker begin their courtship. The short-toed and Eurasian treecreeper are present here as well. A real feast for the ears starts in April, when the chaffinch, starling, several tit and thrush species are joined by the blackcap, collared and spotted flycatcher, golden oriole and the turtle dove, among others. The reserve is surrounded by fields with hedges, which give us the opportunity to see bird species typical for cultural landscape. The skylark, crested lark, red-backed shrike, nightingale and other birds can therefore be observed here. The most usual birds of prey in the area are the common buzzard and common kestrel, occasionally we can also see the European honey buzzard. The tawny owl and long-eared owl can be heard in night time. In spring time the hen, western marsh and montagu’s harrier appear. In the end of April and beginning of May they are joined by the red-footed falcon.

Other plants and animals
Mentionable plants growing in the reserve are the common snowdrop, two species of corydalis and the lungwort. The grass snake and stag beetle are some of the animal species that can be seen here.