Beli Visitor Centre

Cres holds one of the few remaining griffon vulture colonies in the Mediterranean, nesting on sea cliffs on the eastern side of the island, and the Caput Insulae centre at Beli was set up to work on them: monitoring the population, running a recovery aviary for injured and exhausted birds, and educating visitors about the specific problem here. Young griffons make their first flights from cliff ledges directly above the sea, and a bird startled off a ledge before it can fly properly ends up in the water and drowns - which is why boats approaching the cliffs and drones are a genuine threat rather than a nuisance. The centre has an exhibition and trails around the village.

What you actually see

• A griffon vulture colony - one of the few left in the Mediterranean.
• A recovery aviary - for injured and exhausted birds.
• Why boats matter - young birds startled off cliffs drown in the sea.
• Trails around Beli - through the village and the woods.

When to go

April to October, when the centre is open and birds are active. Half a day.

Honest expectations

The centre has had funding difficulties and its opening has varied over the years - check before driving out. Seeing vultures is not guaranteed. Beli is at the end of a long narrow road. Approaching the nesting cliffs by boat is prohibited.

Nearby

Cres town is south; Lubenice is on the western cliff.