Kolašin-Biogradska Gora N.P.
Kolašin and Biogradska Gora
When we stepped out of the car in the village of Kolašin after a two hour drive from Cetinje, it was chilly. By entering the mountains of inland Montenegro we obviously had to get used to a different climate. With the weather predictions in mind, plans were made for the days to come. We decided to start high up in the Bjelasica mountains NE of Kolašin, at the border of Biogradska N.P., to try and find two vipers: Vipera berus bosniensis and V. ursinii macrops.
Vipers in the mist
The next morning, a long and winding unpaved road brought us to above the timberline at almost 1900 m a.s.l. Up there, at 9 a.m., it was just 9 °C and foggy; bad conditions for finding reptiles. Fortunately, plants, birds, insects, snails and great views kept us busy until the fog and clouds started to disappear a few hours later. What followed was a sunny and fruitful afternoon. It took some effort, though, before we finally discovered the two vipers. Both were found in a small area, in similar habitat. We furthermore found viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara) and sand lizard (Lacerta agilis).
Biogradska Jezero and Stitarika Valley
The following day, we went north, to Stitarika valley. It was cool and overcast, and reptiles were limited to smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) and eastern green lizard (Lacerta viridis). Around noon we paid a visit to Biogradsko Jezero, part of the N.P. The clear blue waters of this lake are surrounded by primeval (mainly beech, maple and ash) forest. On the lake shore we found grass snake (Natrix natrix) and common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis). In pools and small pockets of marshland we found alpine newt (Ichtyosaura alpestris), common newt (Lissotriton vulgaris), common toad (Bufo bufo) and yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata). In a small brook we found larvae of fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra). It remained a cool day with some drizzle now and then. Between Biogradsko Jezero and Kolašin we investigated some side roads, visited Stitarika valley again and drove higher up to the west. Observations where limited to one road-killed dice snake (Natrix tesselata). Again we were amazed by the beautiful scenery of this country and by the fact that so many meadows are extremely rich in flowers and insects.
The quest for Prokletije rock lizard
We had one day left in the mountains and decided to take an alternative route from Kolašin to Podgorica. Our main herping area was meant to be Bukumirsko Jezero, a known location of Prokletije rock lizard (Dinarolacerta montenegrina), which can be found on bare rocks near the lake. Unfortunately the weather turned bad, and with just 12 °C and rain our search was in vain. In a small pool we found yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata). In the lake we found tree frog (Hyla arborea), hight densities of common toad larvae (Bufo bufo), Alpine newt (Ichtyosaura alpestris) and grass snake (Natrix natrix). On a hill above the lake we came across a very large Bufo bufo spinosus. We gave up on the lizards and moved on in the direction of Podgorica, through breathtaking mountain scenery. In a pool beside the road we observed common toad (Bufo bufo) and common frog (Rana temporaria). Getting closer to Podgorica meant more sun and higher temperatures. The day was saved by the find of a large Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus), several eastern green lizards (Lacerta viridis), and a few common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis).
Kolasin mountain range
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Reptiles & Amphibians |
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06-2011 |
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fire salamander |
Salamandra salamandra |
larvae |
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alpine newt |
Ichthyosaura alpestris |
>40 |
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common newt |
Lissotriton vulgaris |
10 |
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common toad |
Bufo bufo |
1 |
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yellow-bellied toad |
Bombina variegata |
>10 |
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common tree frog |
Hyla arborea |
3 |
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common frog |
Rana temporaria |
1 |
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Eastern green lizard |
Lacerta viridis |
5 |
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sand lizard |
Lacerta agilis |
2 |
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viviparous lizard |
Zootoca vivipara |
>10 |
|
Common wall Lizard |
Podarcis muralis |
>10 |
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Asculapian snake |
Zamenis longissimus |
1 |
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grass snake |
Natrix natrix |
2 |
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dice snake |
Natrix tessellata |
1 |
|
meadow viper |
Vipera ursinii |
2 |
|
adder |
Vipera berus bosniensis |
2 |
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Montenegro_©_Bart_Siebelink2011-27
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/986.jpgWaiting for the meadow vipers. It's 9.30 a.m., 9 °C, at 1900 a.s.l. The mist stayed untill noon, we found our first viper around 2.30 p.m.
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MNE_opgoedgeluk_BV
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1031.jpgWhile waiting for the fog to disappear, Bart explores new techniques to capture the landscape. It didn't work out, this time...
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MNE_jeneverbes1_BV
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1023.jpgDead junipers and colourful violets.
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macrops612
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1050.jpgVipera ursinii macrops and its observers.
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bosniensis2612
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1061.jpgA male Vipera berus bosniensis.
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bosniensis1612
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1060.jpgVipera berus bosniensis.
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Montenegro_©_Bart_Siebelink2011-22
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/988.jpgArjan and Ronald were very fulfilled with the 'score of the day': two Vipera berus bosniensis and two Vipera ursinii macrops. Both species seem to share the same habitat.
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© Bart Siebelink2011-37
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/990.jpgCell phones all around the globe. This was on our way down to the inhabited world.
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stappeninKolasin612
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1015.jpgAfter-dinner stroll in Kolašin.
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bloemenwei612
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1058.jpgIn case there are no herps around: many meadows in Montenegro are a photographer's paradise.
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Bart Siebelink@Montenegro2011-7
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/984.jpgArjan capturing a skipper with his camera. This particular meadow was very rich in flowers and butterflies. We spent a long time here.
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blauwtje2612
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1059.jpgObviously a blue.
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MNE_insecten_BV
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1025.jpgTwo species of bee fly (Bombyliidae): Bombylius major (left) and Bombylius punctatus (right).
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vliegopbloem612
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1039.jpgA supernatural fly.
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MNE_Esparcette2_BV
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1035.jpgEsparcet (Onobrychis viciifolia).
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hooiberg612
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1049.jpgStitarika valley.
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Bart Siebelink@Montenegro2011-4
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/985.jpgThis lady crossed the pasture lands with a small herd of cows and white goats.
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© Bart Siebelink2011-25
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1072.jpgPrunner's ringlet (Erebia triaria) heating up in the morning sun.
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biogradskojezero612
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1043.jpgA brook near Biogradsko Jezero.
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© Bart Siebelink2011-28
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1073.jpgA young grass snake at the bank of the clear, blue lake in Biogradska Gora National Park. The lake is surrounded by primeval forests.
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alpenwater612
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1044.jpgAlpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris), found in a small pool in the forest.
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kuckakrajina1612
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1066.jpgLandscape near Bukumirsko Jezero.
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MNE_spinosus1_BV
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1032.jpgA giant common toad (Bufo bufo spinosus).
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MNE_spinosus2_BV
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1033.jpgNot just the average toad.
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MNE_meertjemetHa_BV
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1029.jpgBukumirsko Jezero was inhabited by tree frogs (Hyla arborea). On the rocks surrounding it we hoped to find Prokletije rock lizard (Dinarolacerta montenegrina). But unfortunately it was cold and rainy.
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MNE_Arjanklooiend_BV
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1022.jpgArjan enjoying the mountains.
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esculapian snake_©_Bart_Siebelink2011-17
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/991.jpgEsculapian Snake (Zamenis longissimus), adult male just after shedding. Hence it's so glossy.
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© Bart Siebelink2011-19
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/987.jpgThe mysterious beauty of the Esculapian snake, which spends most of its life in the shadow.
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Esculaap
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/983.lrJust after shedding (detail of the dorsal skales), the new skin of Esculapian snake causes an irrisation during the first days.
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podgorica612
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1051.jpgOn our way back to the Mediterranean part of Montenegro we passed the capital city of Podgorica.
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MNE_snappen_BV
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1070.jpgArjan sharply looking for subjects while crossing the streets of Podgorica.
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podgorica3612
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1052.jpg... with gloomy parts
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jongensmontenegro612
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1063.jpg... but also with vital parts.
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© Bart Siebelink2011-44
http://www.klooiplek.eu/images/trips/preview/1074.jpgAnd a final snapshot of a Christian church
