The bird fauna of the Gružansko Jezero Lake and the Kragujevac district is not well studied, in part because of lack of interest; however, the importance of the area should not be neglected. Gružansko Jezero Lake is situated on predicted Moravsko-Vardarskom migration route, and according to our preliminary researches, it has an important role during the bird migration and wintering of waterfowl. Lack of data has been recognized as main problems of conservation of this area. The aim of the researches that we plan to conduct is to show its role and importance that it has in Moravsko-Vardarskom migratory route. It is extremely significant to point out that in this region of Serbia there are no protected sites of nature, on which migratory birds would be able to rest and re-fuel their fat store.

The work will be organized through bird watching and ringing, throughout the whole lake area. We plan to catch birds by using mistnets for ringing and we will survey the lake and its surroundings. The results of these activities will provide identification of species, and by recoveries of ringed birds in the future, we will facilitate monitoring of bird migration. Additionally, at the end of one-year pilot research we expect to have better insight into condition of the bird fauna, and moreover number of rare and endanger species which breed and winter on the Lake. Via this research we will communicate with the community through local news, radio and TV stations. The printing of leaflets and a presentation about ornithological importance of the Gružansko Lake and its importance in Moravsko-Vardarski migration route will be organized as well.

We hope that through the above research initiatives, better protection and proper management of Gružansko Jezero Lake can be implemented as well as initiate of law protection of this area. The Lake can then continue on as a centre of biological diversity, important for the preservation of many rare species, not only birds but also other animal and plant species. Moreover, this project aims to contribute towards resolving those problems through simultaneous research of bird species that breed and those that wintering in this area. Therefore, our results will be used in further cooperation with national institutions in order to plan the better protection and proper use of this and maybe in the future some other lakes.