Lake Cerknica Ornithological Classroom

Discover the world of birds through their habitats, calls and migration routes

The constantly changing landscape of Lake Cerknica provides an extraordinary variety of habitats for birds. Water comes and goes, meadows are flooded and dry out again, while the lake expands into a vast body of water before gradually revealing its floor once more.

All life on, in, above and around the lake is closely connected with changing water levels and the constant alternation between wet and dry periods. This dynamic landscape creates a mosaic of different habitats that supports a rich diversity of plant and animal life.

The importance of the area for nature conservation is also reflected in its inclusion in the European Natura 2000 network, while Lake Cerknica has long been recognised as an internationally important area for birds (IBA).

The Ornithological Classroom introduces visitors to this remarkable world through birds, their habitats, appearance, calls and migration routes.

One ornithological story – two locations

The contents of the Lake Cerknica Ornithological Classroom are presented at two locations, which complement one another.

🐦 100 Birds of Lake Cerknica

As part of every regular guided tour of the Museum of Lake Cerknica, visitors also discover the interactive ornithological station "100 Birds of Lake Cerknica."

Using an interactive display, visitors can explore different bird species, learn about their appearance and distinctive features, and listen to their calls, gaining an insight into the remarkable diversity of birdlife found at Lake Cerknica and in its surroundings.

The interactive ornithological station "100 Birds of Lake Cerknica" is included in every guided museum tour.

Ornithological Classroom by Lake Cerknica

The more extensive part of the Ornithological Classroom is located at our separate site by Lake Cerknica, where birds are presented in connection with the environments in which they live.

The classroom is organised around the characteristic habitats of Lake Cerknica and its surroundings. Each section first introduces a particular habitat and then presents selected bird species associated with it.

Visitors discover the birds through:

  • photographs and distinctive features,
  • their characteristic calls,
  • their habitats,
  • migration routes and their connections with the wider environment.

Birds are therefore presented not simply as individual species, but as part of the living and interconnected natural world of Lake Cerknica.

Visits to the Ornithological Classroom by the lake are available by prior arrangement and are not included in every regular museum tour.

🌾 From reedbeds to forests

Different habitats provide different conditions for birdlife. The Ornithological Classroom therefore reveals which species are associated with particular environments and why.

The species presented here are only a small selection – visitors to the Ornithological Classroom can discover more bird species.

  • REEDBEDS – a wetland wilderness

One of the species presented is the Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus).

 

  • THE LAKE – a constantly changing world

Among the species visitors can discover is the Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena).

 

  • WET MEADOWS – where water keeps the landscape open

One of the characteristic species is the Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava).

 

  • SHRUBLAND – between people and nature

Here visitors can also discover the Common Linnet (Linaria cannabina).

 

  • FOREST – a labyrinth of beech and fir

Among the woodland species presented is the Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus).

 

These are just a few examples of the birdlife presented in the Ornithological Classroom. Each habitat reveals other species and stories that visitors discover during a guided programme.

🔭 From the classroom into nature

The natural continuation of learning about birds is to observe them in their own environment.

By prior arrangement, we also offer a separate programme that includes birdwatching in nature, where the experience continues directly beside Lake Cerknica.

The programme is particularly suitable for primary school groups. Children learn about birds, their calls and habitats and then, together with a nature interpreter, try to find and identify them in the natural environment.

In this way, they learn to observe, listen and understand the connection between birds and their surroundings, as well as the importance of preserving different habitats.

🤝Expert knowledge and first-hand knowledge of the lake

The contents of the Ornithological Classroom were developed through long-standing cooperation with experts and people with extensive knowledge of the natural environment.

Dr. Tomi Trilar of the Slovenian Museum of Natural History and Dr. Peter Skoberne collaborated on the concept, exhibition set-up and specialist content. The photographs are by Dare Šere.

During guided programmes, this scientific foundation is complemented by the knowledge and experience of local nature interpreters who observe Lake Cerknica through its different seasons, water levels and natural changes.

Birds tell the story of the lake

Learning about birds is also a way of understanding Lake Cerknica itself.

Birds reveal how closely water, reedbeds, wet meadows, shrubland, forests and people are connected and why preserving a diversity of habitats is so important.

The Ornithological Classroom is therefore much more than a presentation of individual bird species. It is an invitation to understand Lake Cerknica as a living, interconnected and constantly changing natural system.

Listen to the birds, discover their habitats and experience Lake Cerknica through their world