Hutovo Blato wetland serves as winter habitat for bird species

The Hutovo Blato nature park, located near Čapljina in Bosnia and Herzegovina, transitions into a vital wintering site for various bird species from December to February. Spanning approximately 7,824 hectares, this Ramsar-listed wetland is one of the few preserved karst marsh habitats in the region.

The area is divided into two main sections: the Upper Blato, comprising Deransko Lake and several smaller connected lakes, and the Lower Blato, which includes Svitavsko Lake. The ecosystem is fed by karst springs and underground flows, with parts of the riverbed sitting below sea level.

While historical Ramsar records identified 163 bird species from 39 families, more recent studies suggest the number of recorded species exceeds 240. Key species utilizing the site for wintering include the great white egret, which relies on the area from December through February, as well as various ducks and other waterfowl.