Serbia · Southern Serbia

Oblačinsko jezero

Directions

Облачинско језеро

Oblačinsko jezero is a small, roughly round natural lake with reed beds, near the village of Oblačina in the municipality of Merošina, about 20 km west of Niš. Scattered trees and bushes surround it, along with a weekend settlement, and it is a favourite outing from the city.

Nature

Birds are the lake’s great attraction. Great crested and little grebes, little egrets, little bitterns, red-crested pochards and wild ducks use the water and reeds, marsh harriers hunt overhead, and great reed warblers and nightingales sing in season. Swans are the local favourites: residents of the weekend settlement bought them and look after them, though only one pair was left in 2023.

Visit

Swimming

No reliable information

Tips

A narrow, easy circular path on flat ground runs around the lake, with good birding all year; bring a telescope, as there is no hide. Do not feed the swans, as residents leave suitable food on the dock.

The lake is easy to reach by car or bicycle from the motorway and Niš, and there is free parking near the shore, with a resort by the water. Anglers arrive early in the morning. Some spots suffer from litter, so take yours home.