Koščevo path

The Koščevo path is a marked walking route through Jovsi, a wetland on the Sotla river in the Posavje region of eastern Slovenia, on the border with Croatia. Jovsi is a protected area of wet meadows and reed beds, used for centuries for hay and grazing, and today valued for its wildlife. The path is one of the ways of getting to know the place, and it is designed for casual walkers, families and school groups who want to see the wetland without special equipment, following a clear route with boards and signs.

The Jovsi wetland lies in the floodplain of the Sotla, a modest river that forms the border between the two countries for much of its length, and the area is shaped by seasonal flooding. In spring and autumn, water covers parts of the meadows, and the ground can be soft and muddy, while in summer the fields are drier and the vegetation tall. The habitats include wet grassland, reed beds, willow thickets, patches of woodland and small areas of open water, and each supports its own community of plants and animals. Among the plants are orchids and other flowers of damp meadows, and the insects include dragonflies and butterflies, while amphibians such as frogs and newts breed in the pools.

Birds are the main attraction. Jovsi is one of the places in Slovenia where the corncrake, a secretive bird of tall meadows whose rasping call is heard on summer nights, still breeds, and the wetland is also visited by white storks, herons, lapwings and a range of migrating waterbirds in spring and autumn. Late spring and early summer are the best times for birdsong, and early morning gives the best chance of seeing wildlife. Binoculars are very useful, and visitors should keep to the path and keep their voices low so as not to disturb the birds, particularly in the nesting season.

The route is flat and mostly easy, though the ground may be wet, so waterproof shoes are advisable. Information boards and observation points along the way explain the ecology and the history of the traditional use of the meadows, and the Observation tower in the Natural Park Jovsi gives a good view across the wetland. Guided walks may be available through the local nature organisation, and they add a lot for those who want to learn more about the area. The path combines well with a visit to the Brežice area and other places in Posavje, and it can be enjoyed in any season, though summer mosquitoes are a reason to bring repellent.