Preferred Period: mid-April – mid-June
About Our Program
Local English Bird Guide meets us at the airport and we continue towards Divjaka-Karavasta National Park where we will spend one night. Around 19:00 o’clock we will check in the hotel in Divjaka. Quick introduction and survey of the area which we will have the pleasure to explore the next day. Dinner in Divjaka.
Ealy morning trip to the southern part of the National Park for Collared Pratincole, Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra) and Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachidactyla), Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola), Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis) etc. After breakfast at 08:00 am, a boat visit to the nesting colony of the Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus), the largest bird of Europe. It is a resident species with a breeding colony from January to June at Karavasta lagoon. At this time of the year, the lagoon shelters also the Greater Flamingo, Common Tern, Little Tern, Pygmy Cormorant, Squaco Heron, Yellow Wagtail etc. After the lagoon tour we leave for Korca. We will stop I the road for lunch as well as observations in Ohrid Lake for Little Bittern, Pygmy Cormorant, Goosander and other waterbird species. After Ohrid lake we will reach Maliq swamp, the last remains of former famous swamp of Maliq, for observations of Black-winged Stilts, Ferruginous Duck, White Storks and several songbirds such as Skylark, Woodlark, Black-eared Wheatear etc.
We will start observation at Korca park for some urban nesting birds such as Easter n Bonelli’s Wabler, Wryneck, Goldfinch, European Nuthatch etc. In the way to Prespa, we will stop for a short period at Zvezda pass, where we could sport the Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Nuthatch, Shot-toed Eagle, Kestrel, Crag Martin etc. In Prespa, we will first look for songbirds in the shrubland and oak trees of the hills surrounding Prespa with the very likely observation of Rock Buntings, Cirl Bunting, Black-headed Bunting, Olivaceous Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Linnet etc. After lunch in Prespa, we will take a boat for Maligrad island. The boat trip would offer observations of the Dalmatian Pelican, Great White Pelican, Alpine Swifts.
We will us morning time to birdwatching in the surroundings of Elbasan for a short stay in a cliff area surrounded by Mediterranean scrubs. This site offers sightings of the Rock Nuthatch and several songbirds (shrikes, warblers etc) adapted to Mediterranean maquis (scrubland).
After morning we will take the road to Valbona reaching first Kukes and Has. In the road to Kukes we will stop along Fani River for observation of bird species related to riparian habitats as well as in Vana gorge for potential observation of Wallcreeper. After lunch in Kukes, we will cross thrugh Has for observations of Shrikes, Ortolan Bunting, finches, thrushes etc. Overnight in Vlabona through a short stop in Valbona plain for Tawny Pipit, Shrikes, finches, warblers etc..
All two days dedicated to hiking and birdwatching in the Valbona valley, 850 m over the sea level. Most common birds occurring here are Red-backed Shrike, Cirl Bunting, Golden Eagle, different woodpecker species, Hazel Grouse and other small passerines. Lunch in the field.
We check out at 7:30 am and drive towards the lake of Koman to take the ferry Fierze Koman, one of the most marvelous trips in Albania, in the midst of high mountains and it is very similar to Hurtigerutten. The trip should be used as an opportunity for birding too with Honey Buzzard and Short-toed Eagle strolling occasionally around. The Rock Nuthatch and other Passerines could also be heard at the ferry’s arrival station. Lunch by Mrizi i Zanave, a slow food enterprise. Continue towards Tirana.
The morning of the last day is dedicated to birdwatching on Tirana Lake Park. This urban park is rich in different species of woodpecker (Syrian and Green Woodpecker, Great, Middle and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Wryneck etc.) The park is also inhabited by numerous song birds and potentially the Icterine Warbler.
Find the Perfect Fit for Your Budget
Choose from our range of flexible pricing options that cater to your specific needs.
1-3 Pax Plan
The option is dedicated to a group of maximum 3 People and accomodation not included
€ 2400/group
4 – 7 Pax Plan
The option is dedicated to a group of maximum 7 People and accomodation not included
€ 3200/group
Testimonials
What Our Customers Say
Hear from our satisfied customers who have experienced the quality and value of our products and services.
I had to go for a business trip to Albania and wanted to combine it with a two days birdwatching tour. I found AOS on the internet searching for guided birding tours in Albania.
Everything met my expectations.
Bernhard S
Erald is a phenomenal guide, we felt very comfortable and above all we were able to take very good photos in places we would never have found on our own. In addition to flamingos, cuckoos, hoopoe, etc., we were also able to observe various eagles (migration time), owls and stone owls and take pictures in very good quality. Through the tour with Erald we were able to learn a lot about nature, the existing problems (coastal development, destruction of near-natural habitats, etc.), but also about life in Albania itself.
Martin L
Fantastic 2 days birding with Kladji & Kato. Wonderful to see Black Headed Bunting & Dalmatian Pelican at Divake, Karavasta along with more usual birds. Kladji was also able to get us onto Roller (a much wanted lifer) & Turtle Dove before returning to Tirana on day 1. Day 2 took us to Natre and Calandra Lark, Golden Oriole and Great Spotted Cuckoo (38 years after my last sighting). An Ice Cream on the way back to Tirana made for a great end to the trip..
Saffia4
Other Tour Ideas
Explore our tours
Birding Albania / 8 Days
Ealy morning trip to the southern part of the National Park for Collared Pratincole, Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra) and Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachidactyla), Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola), Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis) etc.
Birding the Dalmatian Pelican / 7 Days
Morning boat trip to the Dalmatian Pelicans colony where the group would engage in monitoring of the Dalmatian Pelican in accordance with the species monitoring protocol. The group will monitor the number of adult, juveniles and pullis (chicks) as well as their activity including brooding, feeding, resting, flying etc.
Birding the Albanian Alps / 8 Days
Transfer early to Valbone via ferry boat and birding in lake Koman for Birds of prey, Goosander, Cormorants and Gulls. Lunch in the boat. Afternoon birding hike to see Larks, Swallows and Martins, Wagtails and Pipits, Dippers, Wrens, Accentors, Thrushes, Old World warblers, Old World flycatchers, Nuthatches, Tree creepers Shrikes, Crows, Starlings, Buntings, Siskins etc.
Birding Lake Shkoder / 1 Day
Shkodra Lake is an Important Bird Area known to many for its evergreen colors. The water surface offers excellent ground for thousands of wintering waterbirds whose population is dominated by diving species, including Pygmy Cormorants, Tufted Duck, Pochards, Crested Grebes, Goldeneyes, and Coots. .
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