New

Promising results of practical management works in Nemunas river islands

 06-05-2019


Promising results of practical management works in Nemunas river islands

In the period of 2008-2011, from 10 to 30 pairs of Little Tern were breeding on Nemunas river islands. Some years the islands or riversides were inhabited by similar number of Common Tern. However, due to the overgrow of islands with vegetation, the number of breeding pairs of Little Tern has significantly decreased. As a result, five years ago only individual pairs were breeding there. That was the main reason, why the site was not under legal protection, thought its included into the database of IBA (Important Bird Areas). The Ministry of Environment has committed to designate islands as Natura 2000 sites, in case after implementation of practical conservation measures the former population of Little Tern will start breeding on the islands (the threshold for designation of the area as Natura 2000 is at least 3 pairs).

This commitment has encouraged the LOD to take responsibility over restoration of this unique territory. It shall be mentioned, that’s one of a few breeding sites in the country with significant number of these rare birds.

The first steps were taken in the frame of the Interreg Lithuania-Poland project, which has been implemented in cooperation with the Administration of Dzūkija National Park and Biebrza National Park from Poland. In the period 2017-2018, the vegetation was removed 4 times and already in 2018 at least 3 pairs of Little Tern were breeding on the islands. However, the suitable habitats covered comparably small part of the islands, therefore at the end of summer 2018 and early spring 2019, the practical management works were continued in the frame of LIFE TERNS project. In the mentioned period, the grass was removed 3 times, and now the islands are suitable for terns’ breeding.

The first time the islands were visited in mid of April. 7 nests of Northern Lapwing were found, at least 10 Little Ringed plovers, 4 Common redshanks, over 15 Common snipes, a few species of gulls, Great cormorants, White -tailed Eagle, various species of ducks, Mute swans and Common Kingfisher were registered. It was visible, that suitable habitats cover significantly larger areas than it was before the practical management works.

The first Common terns were registered on islands at the end of April. Currently, the site is inhabited by Black-headed gulls, the terns are looking for the most suitable breeding sites.

sala-arciau-kranto(1)

Kas-like-is-karklu-ir-klevu(1)

centrine-dalis(1)

An island near Lipliūnai. Photo by Armandas Naudžius


All heading’s news: