Just outside Koper there's a nature reserve where you can truly admire nature in its best, the rich flora and fauna which boasts a number of rare or endangered species. The Škocjan Nature Reserve is the largest brackish (where freshwater and sea water mix) wetland in Slovenia. It consists of brackish lagoon surrounded by reed beds and freshwater marsh.
The area was severely damaged back in 1980s, when the local authorities intended to fill up the brackish lagoon completely for purposes of developing an industrial and commercial zone. (I know, unbelievable!) In 1993 BirdLife Slovenia initiated a public campaign to protect the area. After five years of dedicated and persistent work the area was officially declared a nature reserve by Slovene government. Legal protection put a stop to degradation and the restoration of the wetland to conditions prior to degradation was completed in 2007 to ensure its long-term protection.(source:
http://www.skocjanski-zatok.org/)
Just a few facts from their website:
- 221 bird species were recorded, including 45 breeders
- Skocjan Nature reserve is located in the most Northern parts of Mediterranean
- a circular path takes you around the freshwater marsh but the animals are not affected by visitors as they can only be observed from observations sites, otherwise are protected by the reeds beds
- two Camargue horses have been introduced to the reserve so they can help with the "maintenance"
- Istrian cattle breed Boškarin was introduced as well to graze and prevent the meadows from overgrowing
- they have plans on bringing donkeys as well :)
Here are a few pics from several of our visits.
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| The Camargue mares | |
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| Observation deck (and yes, me:) ) |
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| A family of swans spends the winter at the reserve |
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| Grdalin-the Slovenian name for this beautiful bird |
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| Boškarin - the Istrian cattle breed |
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| the lagoon |
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| The Swan family |
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| me and the reeds bed |
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| through the observation "hole" |
and occasionally mess with the medicine I am on for other things. I have kept my sweet DC, because I thought my son would take her eventually, but it turns out, he is also allergic to cats. I am currently looking for a home for a basically unadoptable old cat. DC is afraid of everything, someone knocks on the door, she runs and hides. Take her somewhere in the cat carrier - she pees as soon as you start the car. Except for the obvious cat hair, most people don't know that I even have a cat. She is an indoor cat and has no idea about the outside world, I am so afraid she will get out and dogs will chase her down and she will be meat or never seen again. I do not know how she would react to another cat or cats, she has been the Queen, since the former Queen passed away 7-8 years ago. DC is either 11 or 12 years old, has not had shots of any kind since she was a kitten. She appears in very good health. I'm sure, that if you follow my blog, you have 
seen many pictures of her, she's a friendly sort, once she gets to know you. She tells you when her food is gone, or if 
there is no water to drink and sometimes she comes for petting or a scritch or two. She loves being brushed, once she realizes what you are doing. She is still curious and likes to skitter little things across the floor. She loves watching the birds and sleeping in
the sun. Her ideal placement would be with an older lady, perhaps one that has recently lost her cat and needs one to love and one that will love her. So, if you know of someone between Florence, AL and Columbia, TN who would love my DC as much as I do and wants her for a companion, please let me know. I have written to "Cause for Paws" and have as yet had no response. I hate to even think the alternative."
