Nature management activities on the Lake Kretuonas island
29-09-2019
Unusual activities were carried out on the Lake Kretuonas island – an artificial gravel and sand beach covering 500 m2 is being established as breeding site for terns. Previously the island was used for pasturing and this activity formed a mosaic of grasslands and sandy areas. This type of habitats was occupied by the variety of birds: Common and Little Terns, a few species of gulls, Black-tailed Godwits, Common Redshanks, Mallards, Gadwalls, Northern Shovelers, Common Pochards, Tufted Ducks and others. However, the island was abandoned, and the area overgrow with woody vegetation. Most of the bird species left the habitat. Lithuanian ornithological society and Administration of Aukštaitija National Park restored the habitats and most of the species started to breed on the island. However, Little terns didn’t find the sandy open beaches as they transformed into grasslands. The project seeks to restore population of Little Tern in the Lake Kretuonas – geotextile was laid down and covered with layer of gravel and sand. Is it expected, that this sandy beach will be discovered by the Little terns next spring and these birds will again breed on the island. It’s also an innovative scientific approach, never applied in Lithuania.
.jpg)
.jpg)
