Cemovsko Field

Preserved surface area: 1,200 ha
Altitude: 25-40 m
Conservation status: Unprotected at local and national level; Emerald site under the Bern convention
Coordinates: 42°24’33.20″N; 19°19’11.43″E

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

Ćemovsko Field belongs to the Zeta valley and plains of Cijevna and Morača rivers. It is mostly covered with plantations of peach and grapes, both products of “Plantaže”, and small number of private vineyards. The field is fragmented by plantations, pits for exploitation of gravel and by private yards. North part of the Ćemovsko Field is occupied by a city landfill of Podgorica, a rich feeding ground for birds, especially during winter months. The field continues to the populated northern coast of the Skadar Lake and the Airport Golubovci is part of it as well. Extreme weather conditions in the field – a strong wind during winter, large temperatures during summer and frequent fires allow only for the development of steppe vegetation. Part of the fields around the Airport is under the planted forest of Aleppo pine.

ORNITHOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE

Ćemovsko Field is the largest plain of Montenegro. The part which is planted and also the one which is not, is the habitat of partridges, Perdix perdix, and a large number of larks: Galerida cristata, Anthus campestris, and the breeding of the bee-eater, Merops apiaster. Preserved and ornithological significant part of the field is the open field, a typical habitat for breeding of stone-curlews, Burchinus oedicnemus. Residents of the surrounding mountains descend during the winter to the field, and we have registered Alpine Chough, Pyrrhocorax graculus and a griffon vulture, Gyps fulvus, as well. The landfill is significant feeding place for many species of birds, and the ringed Yellow-legged gull, Larus michahellis, proves their dispersion, especially from the neighboring Croatian islands. The turf is an excellent feeding place during the winter for a number of the prey from the surrounding mountains.

HABITATS

Vineyards, plantations of peaches, pine forests and preserved parts made up of the steppe, xenomorphic vegetation. City landfill is rich with bio-waste containers and small rodents.

PROTECTION MEASURES – VULNERABILITY OF HABITATS AND SPECIES

Ćemovsko Field is the hunting ground of the local hunting club. It is significant resting and hunting ground for migrating raptors. Further expansion of plantations of fruit and degradation of the remaining part of the field, would cause permanent disappearance of some species. Serious danger is also the expansion of city towards the field, building of sports grounds, etc.