We invite you to the Učka Bird Ringing Camp, which we have been organizing for many years in collaboration with the Public Institution of Učka Nature Park. The camp will take place from August 12th to September 1st, 2024.

Since 2006, we have been conducting bird ringing at the Rovozna pond within the Učka Nature Park from mid-August to mid-September, during the autumn bird migration. Birds migrate in autumn to areas where they can find sufficient food in winter, and return in spring to nest. Often, they follow the coastline, and Učka, as a coastal mountain, provides them with important resting spots with its forests, meadows, and ponds on their long and perilous journey. The mission of this camp is to research bird migration, assess the importance of local habitats for their rest during migration, and determine the local bird species composition. Our official ringers set up ornithological nets around the pond, take measurements of the captured birds, determine their species, sex, and age, and ring them. We release the birds as quickly as possible, prioritizing their safety. Join us for a few days or weeks between August 12 and September 1 to enhance your knowledge of birds and your love of nature by the warmth of a campfire. You can apply by filling out the application form here. Applications are open until July 15, but applying does not guarantee a spot at the camp. The number of spots is limited, and you will receive confirmation of your spot or information about the waiting list by July 17. No prior knowledge or experience is required to participate in the camp, just a good attitude, willingness to work, cooperate, and learn, and respect for the rules when working with birds. In return, the camp offers a relaxing stay in nature, an environment filled with enthusiastic local and international participants, new knowledge about birds and their habitats, and other plant and animal species of Učka.

Last year, for the first time, we had a week at the camp with a larger number of families with children participating. We aim to further encourage the engagement of our youngest bird enthusiasts and offer them and their families the opportunity to connect with other children and families with similar interests. This year, we expect more families with children during the week of August 17th to 25th. So, if you want to join the camp but prefer a quieter environment, we suggest you join us in one of the other weeks.

BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE CAMP

The camp is organized in a beautiful protected area offering numerous opportunities to explore the plant and animal world, discover hiking trails, swim in nearby Istrian towns, watch romantic sunrises, and engage in multicultural learning with our international participants and volunteers. However, it’s important to note that the camp is quite rustic, so consider if the living conditions suit you.

Your Support – The Ornithological Camp is not solely focused on the scientific method of bird ringing but also emphasizes educational content for all camp participants and the interested public. Along with direct insight into the ringing process, participants engage in a variety of other educational activities. Biom aims to provide time and space for learning about birds, nature, and its conservation to as many participants as possible, which includes covering the objective costs that the camp requires.

To organize the camp and cover all the costs, including purchasing drinking water and food products, waste disposal, etc., we need financial support.

The donation for staying at the camp is 20 EUR per day for participants from Croatia, 15 EUR per day for Biom members, and 10 EUR per day for children, students, and retirees. For participants from Croatia staying more than 3 days, the donation is 10 EUR per day. The donation for participants from other countries is 30 EUR per day, and if they stay more than 3 days, the donation is 20 EUR per day. However, we don’t want finances to be the main reason someone can’t participate, so feel free to contact us at volonteri@biom.hr if you need financial support.

Sleeping in tents – You will need a tent, sleeping bag, and mat (foam pad/karimat). These items can also be borrowed, but in limited quantities, so please let us know in the application form.

Communal cooking – Every few days, we buy shared groceries, and meals are often prepared on a campfire. Participants are expected to help with meal planning, cooking, gathering, and chopping firewood. As we don’t have a refrigerator, the diet is mainly vegetarian.

Drinking water from a plastic cistern – We use the drinking water supply only for drinking, and rainwater for everything else. Water must be used sparingly as the quantities are limited.

Outdoor shower – The amount of water depends on the weather conditions, and we can’t risk running out of water, so showers are possible every third day. When possible, we go to a nearby beach with showers.

Outdoor toilet – Consists of a specially selected meadow, a shovel, and a “do-it-yourself” chair made of hornbeam wood.

Electricity from solar panels – Only for small and necessary electrical equipment, such as charging phones and cameras.

Weak signal – There is a phone/internet signal, but it is generally quite weak. Sometimes it disappears completely, and to make a call, a short walk uphill to a place with a stronger signal is required.

Everyone is welcome – Everyone can contribute to the activities in their own way, so we invite participants regardless of age, knowledge, or interests. You can bring pets, but since they pose a danger to the captured birds, they should be kept on a leash in the camp.

DAILY SCHEDULE

5:00 – 11:30 Setting up nets and checking them every 45 minutes

7:00 – 8:00 Breakfast

11:30 – 16:00 Day break

16:00 – 21:00 Resetting nets and checking them every 45 minutes

16:15 – 17:00 Knowledge Pot – educational activities

19:30 – 20:30 Dinner

21:00 – onwards Socializing around the campfire

 

During the day break, the nets are down, and this time is used for lunch, reading, playing board games, hiking, swimming, and resting. You can plan your time as you wish and feel free to bring books, games, sports equipment, or anything else that brings you joy and relaxation.

We also invite you to share your knowledge with us and organize a Knowledge Pot session for other camp participants. If you are interested in preparing an educational activity, please let us know in the application form, and we will contact you with more details.

WHEN AND HOW TO REACH US?

Arrivals at the camp are possible on Fridays and Saturdays, and departures on Saturdays and Sundays between August 12 and September 1 (you can see the schedule by dates in the application form). It is important for us to know the exact time and place of your arrival in advance so we can plan our schedule, so please send us this information through the application form. Also, remember that we don’t have a good internet connection at the camp, so it’s important to inform us of any changes as early as possible.

ARRIVING BY CAR

You can join us on Fridays or Saturdays at any time during the day and stay for the weekend or the whole week.

First, drive uphill to the village of Sveta Jelena → in Sveta Jelena, turn onto bicycle route no. 8, near the tavern Slamnjaki → once on bicycle route no. 8, first turn right, then left, and at the third turn, go straight (route no. 8 sharply turns right at the third turn, do not follow it) → the road eventually turns into a gravel path, which you should drive on slowly (about 3.5 km of gravel to the camp) → the camp is clearly visible from the road, and there is parking available in front of the camp.

ARRIVING BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Participants arriving by public transport can be picked up by car from Sveta Jelena or Mošćenička Draga on Fridays and Saturdays during the day break (11:30 – 15:30). Similarly, participants can be transported from the camp to the bus stop on Saturdays and Sundays at the same times.

If you prefer to hike to the camp on your own, we recommend taking the bus to Sveta Jelena and then following the driving directions. The entire route is approximately 4 km long.

Route: Google Maps

Sign up using the registration form by July 15th at the latest. Remember, spaces are limited.

For additional questions, you can reach us at volonteri@biom.hr.

See you at Učka!