Area description
Lake Komarnik has a long history as it was first mentioned in the 16th century. At that time the owners of the nearby castle Hrastovec used it for the cultivation of fish, which represented an important source of food in those days. In the sixties of the previous century it was converted into a reservoir for flood water – this was done by surrounding the west side of the lake with a flood embankment. The lake itself is located south of the main road Pernica – Lenart, about two kilometres before Lenart.

Access
We take the intercity bus Maribor – Gornja Radgona. We get off the bus in the settlement Zamarkova near Lenart, at bus station Črni les (retirement home), which is situated close to the lake. From here we continue on foot to the right over a small meadow, where the educational trail around the lake begins.

Trail description
The educational trail leads us around the lake. Information boards and two ornithological observatories are placed along the trail. The walk around the lake takes about 2 hours.

Birds
In the spring and summer months we can observe mallard, the little and the great crested grebe, as well as the nesting common pochard and tufted duck. In addition, there are many other migrating species of ducks, rails and waders to be seen. The reed beds along the lake are nesting grounds of the little bittern, great reed warbler, sedge warbler and marsh warbler. The mute swan nests on the lake as well. You should also pay attention to the surrounding fields and meadows, where in the time of migration many different species of birds occur. In the forest on the east side of the lake the grey-headed woodpecker and the collared flycatcher are nesting, among others.

Other plants and animals
Lake Komarnik is also a habitat for several amphibians and some reptiles. The rare great diving beetle, along with around 30 different species of dragonflies, was discovered here. One can also see the very rare otter and the more frequent (but in our region non-native) muskrat. Many plant species, including the yellow water-lily, fringed water-lily and the water caltrop can be observed here.

Interesting links
The institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation