Area description
Lake Ormož is one of the major water reservoirs in Slovenia, with an area of around 150 hectares. It was created by damming river Drava for hydroelectricity production purposes in neighbouring Croatia. The lake itself is cut in half by the border between the two countries. Ormož basins were previously used as storage tanks for wastewater from the sugar factory in Ormož. Large concentrations of nutrients led to an abundance of food – the abandoned pools therefore became an important location for many nesting and migratory endangered bird species.

Access
We can get to the lake and basins either by train or intercity bus. Both stations are situated in Ormož and are fairly close to our targeted locations.

Trail description
From the train station we head towards river Drava on the road in direction of the stream. After about a 10 minute walk we reach the embankment (on our right), from where we can observe the lake. If we want to reach the Ormož basinss, we have to leave the embankment by crossing one of several footbridges. We continue our way on the dirt road, which turns left, leading us to the basins. Here we have to be especially careful not to harass birds. On our visit we stay on the dirt road. We do not walk among pools and on embankments! The visit of the lake and the lagoons will take us a whole day.

Birds
Lake Ormož and basins are a very important water surface for birds. In winter we can observe the bean, greater white-fronted and greylag goose here. In addition we can see the majority of duck species that are present in Slovenia, including some rare species. Great flocks of coots, on which the white-tailed eagle lurks, are commonplace. Winter is also a time when the common goldeneye and smew frequently occur. Reeds growing at the beginning of the lake are a nesting place for several species of warblers and little bittern in the summer. Numerous species of gulls can be found on the lake. Occasionally rare gull species can also be seen.

In spring, summer and autumn the Ormož basins are a place where we can observe different waders such as the common and spotted redshank, wood, green and (even!) marsh sandpiper, common greenshank, black-tailed godwit and common ringed plover. In time of migration various species of waders and dabbling ducks (Anas genus) are present in the area. Water pools are a nesting place for common terns, black-headed gulls and black-winged stilts. The ferruginous duck, a species of global environmental concern, nests here as well. Singing of water rails can often be heard from the reeds in summer months, and with some luck we can also hear the little and spotted crake. In the warm half of the year we can observe the marsh harrier (which also nests here) and in winter time the hen harrier often glides over the reeds.

Other plants and animals
In the evenings we can observe the stoat and least weasel hunt in the basins. In many fields in the surrounding the roe deer and hare can be seen.

Interesting links
Ormoz basins nature reserve
Project LIVEDRAVA