Draga ponds near Ig

Area description
The Draga valley lies near the village of Ig, which is situated not far from Ljubljana. Several ponds, which were dug out here in the past, get their water from the stream Draga. Due to lack of bigger water surfaces in the Ljubljana marsh, the ponds and reeds represent an important shelter for birds in the area and are today protected as a nature reserve. Besides the ponds other interesting things can be seen in the valley – surrounding forests, forest edges, marshy meadows, dry meadows and streams that pour into the ponds. Several species of orchids and other species of colourful flowers can be admired on the meadows. Areas of marshy meadows and alder groves are by the ponds.

Access
With the intercity bus: We can go to Ig with an intercity bus from Ljubljana. In this case we get off the bus at the Ig bus station. From here we continue to the ponds by foot on the main road. The length of the walk is approximately 2 kilometres. We go towards east past the turn for Kurešček to the village of Kremenica. After leaving the village, we go right on the second turn (just before the road goes into the forest). We follow the narrow road and soon reach the crossroad with an information sign of the nature reserve. Here we turn right and walk until we reach the ponds.

With a bicycle: We arrive to Ig the same way as in the description for the trip Ljubljana marsh – Ig. To get to the ponds from the village, we leave the priority road on the main crossroad by turning left towards the bus station. From here on we follow the same instructions as mentioned above.

Trail description
The best place to observe birds is the embankment between the big and last pond. There is a house (which is owned by the angling association managing these ponds) on top of it. We can also prolong our trip by continuing our way on the cart track. We go away from the house until the edge of the forest, where we jump over a smaller stream. After crossing the stream we follow the forest path until we reach a bigger cart track. We walk on the track until it is possible. The trip takes us three hours.

Birds
Different waterfowl, bound up to bulrush and reed, can be observed at Draga ponds. Mallard, Eurasian coot, common moorhen, great crested and little grebe are predominant on open water areas. Different species of warblers can be spotted in the reeds, along with the little crake that appears in the second half of the year. With a bit of luck, heron can be seen here as well. In time of spring and autumn flights, unusual bird species, such as the red-necked grebe, ferruginous duck, white-tailed eagle and osprey; make a stop on water surfaces in the valley.

Other plants and animals
Marsh areas and ponds are the habitat of the European pond turtle (which is very rare in Slovenia) and numerous species of frogs (yellow-bellied toad, European tree frog, common toad).

Zanimive povezave
Ljubljana marsh nature park
Slovenian museum of natural history