Practical conservation actions in Kalviai gravel pit
04-09-2019
Kalviai gravel pit in Klaipeda district was formed, when layers of gravel were exploited, and an open quarry of 37,6 ha was flooded with water. The artificial water body also contained a few small islands with the biggest one of 0,1 ha size.
This water body and small bare islands were occupied by various species of waterfowl, including 5 species, listed in the Lithuanian Red Data Book as well as 6 Annex I species of the Birds Directive: Horned grebes, Black-necked grebes, Northern shovelers, Little terns, Spotted crakes and other rare bird species. A colony of more than 1000 pairs of Black-headed gulls counts already twenty years, during the migrations this place is used as roosting site by more than 1000 Eurasian coots as well as various duck species. The area is of extreme importance for Common terns, therefore in 2005 Kalviai gravel pit was nominated as the SPA. According to the monitoring data from previous year, 50 to 260 pairs of Common Tern were breeding at the site. However, breeding habitats significantly changed: open beaches and bare islands overgrow with high vegetation and reeds. Rapidly dropped number of breeding terns – currently up to 10 pairs are observed during the breeding period. Seeking to restore breeding habitats, the associated partner JSC “Ekostoma” started to implement practical conservation actions: high vegetation was removed, islands were poured with gravel and sand, as well as new island were established in shallow waters. It is assumed, that these actions will help to recover declining population of Common Tern and ensure favorable conservation status of the site.
