Istria 6 – 14 May 2015
Conservation project
BirdLife Slovenia (DOPPS) – the northern part of Istria is in Slovenia – is working hard to protect natural areas, especially wetlands. It also runs projects for endangered species, in particular roller and the globally threatened corncrake and lesser kestrel.
Sicciole saltpans on the Croatia/Slovenia border (Ivan Nethercoat)
Tommasini's sandwort
A rare plant means that our base at Istarske Toplice is now part of the Natura 2000 network of internationally important wildlife sites.
Tommasini's sandwort Moehringia tommasinii grows in one of its six known sites above the holiday complex. It was proposed as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) in 2013.
The Nature 2000 website (here) says:
"Quality and Importance: the only site for Moehringia tommasinii in Croatia, and one of only two localities with recently confirmed populations. "The site is situated on the northern part of Istria peninsula, above Istarske toplice (Istrian thermal springs). Area includes rock and cliffs with garrigue, macchia [maquis] and wood. The site also includes part of protected area - Significant landscape Istarske toplice." Moehringia tommasinii featured on a set of stamps in Slovenia in 2007. |
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