Riparia

During the first week of the autumn bird ringing camp at Lake Ludaš, we recorded more than 1,000 birds belonging to 34 different species. A total of 915 birds were ringed, alongside 137 recaptures, including two birds originally ringed in Hungary. We also recorded a new species for the ringing camp at Lake Ludaš, the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus). We continue our work in the coming weeks and look forward to seeing what else the autumn migration will bring.

The autumn bird ringing camp at Lake Ludaš has begun! 🍂
On the first day, we ringed 183 birds and recorded 16 recaptures of individuals that had been previously ringed.
As the seasons change, so do the species we encounter in the mist nets.
If you are interested in our work and would like to experience bird ringing in the field, get in touch and join us!

The summer season of the **Ludaš 2026 Ecological and Educational Camp** has come to an end! 🐦

During this season, *3,748 birds belonging to 56 species* were ringed.

The species with the highest numbers of ringed individuals were:
*Acrocephalus scirpaceus* – 1,159
*Acrocephalus schoenobaenus* – 891
*Hirundo rustica* – 778
*Passer montanus* – 148
*Locustella luscinioides* – 137
*Panurus biarmicus* – 94
*Acrocephalus arundinaceus* – 94
*Acrocephalus palustris* – 65
*Motacilla flava* – 61
*Lanius collurio* – 43

We also recorded *289 recaptures of previously ringed birds*, including *two birds originally ringed in Hungary*.

Why is bird ringing important?

Each bird receives a *unique ring*, allowing individuals to be identified if they are encountered again. Subsequent recoveries can provide valuable information about **migration, movements and longevity**.

During the camp, we also collect current information about the bird species present in the *Lake Ludaš area during the breeding season*, contributing to our knowledge of local biodiversity.

The camp also has an important *educational role*. Through practical work, new generations gain experience in handling birds, identifying species, s*x, age and condition, and learning the principles and techniques of scientific bird ringing.

And the season is not over yet — *the camp continues in October!*
Apply and join us! 🐦🔭

We are pleased to announce the start of the 2026 Ludaš Eco-Education Camp!

The camp will take place from 19 July to 30 August, over six one-week sessions. Its main focus is ornithological fieldwork and scientific bird ringing. With a tradition spanning several decades, Ludaš is the only permanent bird ringing camp of its kind in Serbia.

Under the supervision of licensed bird ringers, participants will learn how birds are safely removed from mist nets, handled, measured, identified and ringed, as well as how their age and s*x are determined. Fieldwork begins at dawn and continues until sunset, with a break during the hottest part of the day.

Participants will be accommodated at the Visitor Centre “Palić–Ludaš”, in shared rooms with private bathrooms. Camping in the grounds of the Visitor Centre is also possible.

The participation fee, including accommodation and three meals per day, is:

12,000 RSD for a full seven-day session
2,000 RSD per day for shorter stays

Children under the age of 12 may participate accompanied by a parent, while older participants may attend independently.

For registration and further information, send us a DM.

Join us at Lake Ludaš and experience bird research in the field!

Since 2003, RIPARIA has been implementing a conservation programme for the European Roller (Coracias garrulus) in Serbia. At the beginning of the programme, the country’s population was estimated at only around 20 breeding pairs.

One of the main threats to the species is the lack of suitable nesting cavities. To address this problem, more than 5,000 artificial nest boxes have been installed across suitable habitats.

In 2025, our team inspected 883 nest boxes, 552 of which were occupied by European Rollers. During these monitoring activities, 1,373 chicks were ringed.

Throughout the 2026 breeding season, RIPARIA members are continuing regular nest-box checks and the ringing of both adult birds and chicks. The final results of this year’s monitoring will be presented at the Association’s annual conference.

Long-term monitoring, nest-box maintenance and scientific ringing provide valuable information about breeding success and population trends, helping us plan effective conservation measures for this remarkable species.

Learn more about the project at modrovrana.rs and follow .

Good news from the field!

The Stone-curlew breeding season continues — two more chicks have successfully hatched.

One of the nests found during this season’s monitoring was located within an agricultural field, where regular farming activities could have posed a serious risk to the eggs and chicks.

Thanks to regular field monitoring, the nest was detected in time. Members of RIPARIA contacted the farmers and agreed on a temporary suspension of agricultural work in the immediate surroundings of the nest.

During the next field check, we confirmed the best possible outcome: two Stone-curlew chicks had hatched successfully.

This case shows why regular monitoring of breeding territories is so important. When nests are found in time, rapid action and cooperation with local communities can make a real difference for the protection of ground-nesting birds.

During regular field monitoring in May and June, RIPARIA recorded nesting of a remarkable five pairs of Stone-curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) in the protected area “Kanjiški jaraši”.

During the following monitoring visit, a juvenile was found at one of the nesting territories. The young bird was ringed and released immediately back into its habitat.

The Stone-curlew is a strictly protected species in Serbia, with an estimated national breeding population of only 10–12 pairs. This makes every confirmed nesting territory extremely important for the conservation of the species.

Due to the loss of natural habitats, Stone-curlews increasingly nest on agricultural land, where eggs and chicks can be vulnerable to farming activities. When a nest is found in time, it is possible to mark and protect the area around it in cooperation with local farmers.

This is why regular monitoring of breeding territories is essential.

At Lake Ludaš, RIPARIA participates in the Constant Effort Sites (CES) programme — an international, standardised monitoring scheme used to follow bird populations during the breeding season through scientific bird ringing.

RIPARIA has been involved in the CES programme since 2018, in cooperation with JP Palić–Ludaš, within the Special Nature Reserve “Lake Ludaš”.

Each year, between 500 and 1,500 birds are ringed through the CES programme at Lake Ludaš. The monitoring is carried out from 15 April to 15 July, always under the same standardised conditions: the same location, the same number of ornithological nets, the same time of day, and the same duration of fieldwork.

This consistency allows us to compare data between years and follow important changes in bird populations, including population trends, breeding success, and survival rates.

The CES programme at Lake Ludaš is the only long-term, standardised bird monitoring programme of this type in Serbia.

All interested volunteers are welcome to join our field activities. Bird ringing is carried out by trained and licensed ringers, and all birds are released back into nature after a short handling and data collection procedure.

For more information, contact us via Instagram, Facebook, or email.

RIPARIA NGO is an Association of Environmentalists founded in 1999 in Subotica. The association is engaged in the observation and study of nature, in situ biodiversity conservation measures, and the promotion of environmental protection. Its activities include fieldwork with a focus on ornithological research, bird ringing and migration monitoring, the implementation of active biodiversity conservation measures, as well as the organization of summer research camps, lectures, seminars, and conferences. RIPARIA has around 150 members, 10 of whom are accredited bird ringers. For more information, visit our website or contact us at [email protected].