Current view: Text account
Site description (2018 baseline):
Site location and context
Mostarsko blato is located between Čabulja and Polog (1.138 m a.s.l.) mountains to the North and lower limestone massif of Trtla (690 m) in the South. As many other poljes in Hercegovina its main orientation is NW-SE. It is a flood polje of 32,79 km2 flood area and belongs to the Neretva river basin.
Main water source of Mostarsko blato is Lištica river that springs in polje, floods it, accumulating debris and sinks on the SE part of the polje.
Main karst phenomena are Lištica sink and meanders of the same stream.
Among cultural and historical remains the most prominent are Ottoman-period bridge, old stone road and a medieval fort.
Mostarsko blato is one of better researched poljes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Until now 13 species of fish, 185 species of birds, 21 species of dragonflies and 147 species of plants have been recorded in polje. Main habitat type are flood and marshy grasslands and pastures (Deschampsietalia).
Mostarsko blato is one of the most important stop-over sites of the Adriatic Flyway. Large numbers of migratory birds flock in polje especially during spring migration: Pochard Aythya ferina, Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus, Common Crane Grus grus, Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, and Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis among most prominent ones. A significant population of Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus regularly winters in this polje.
Among important breeders are Montague’s Circus pygargus and Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus, Turtle Dove Streptopelia turturand few of the largest colonies of Bee-eaters Merops apiaster and Sand Martins Riparia riparia in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Important concentrations of other threatened species occur in Mostarsko blato as well, for example Spoonbils Platalea leucorodia and Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa.
Site access / Land-owner requests
Mostarsko polje or Mostarsko blato is located in Western Herzegovina, SW of Mostar on a regional road to Široki Brijeg.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Mostarsko Blato (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mostarsko-blato-iba-bosnia-and-herzegovina on 23/11/2024.
