Ornithologycal impotrance of Gruza accumulation

Abstract

Damming the middle part of Gruza River, in order to supply drinking and technical water for Kragujevac District caused appearance of Gruzanska accumulation. This lake fills the depression of Knicko Polje between the Gledicke Mts and Kotlenik. As the ornithofauna of accumulation lakes, both in this country and abroad, is poorly studied, this paper presents the data on the state of ornithofauna of Gruzansko Lake. The lake has an important role in migration of both native and foreign bird populations, but also as a wintering area for certain species of ducks and geese, as it is situated on the assumed Morava -Vardar migration route. During the research, 78 bird species were recorded and for 25 species it was proven that they breed in the area. Most species were recorded in the zone of strong anthropogenic influence, which is understandable as before the building of the dam and the artificial lake the Knicko Polje was dominated by agricultural land, mowed meadows and orchards.