Practical conservation actions on the islands in Nemunas Loops Regional Park completed
23-12-2019
In the frame of the project it was planned to perform practical conservation actions in Nemunas river between Prienai and Lengveniškes SPA, which has been designated for protection of Common and Little terns in the Nemunas Loops Regional Park. Practical conservation actions were implemented in 2008, however afterwards the area overgrew with woody vegetation and became non-suitable for breeding terns.
Seeking to restore suitable habitats for breeding Common and Little terns it is planned to perform practical conservation actions annually on the Nemunas river islands, where previously were known stable terns’ colonies with open sandy areas.
At the end of 2019, grass and woody vegetation was removed on the area of 4 ha. Little terns need bare sandy areas for breeding, therefore in addition the turf was removed, and an open sandy habitat created.
Conservation actions will be repeated in 2020. It is expected that regular maintenance of islands will restore populations of Common and Little terns in Nemunas Loops Regional Park.
Photos from the archive of the Nemunas Loops Regional Park Administration
