Thousands of birds gather at Žuvintas before migration

Thousands of migratory birds are gathering at Lake Žuvintas as they prepare for long journeys to wintering grounds, LRT reported.

Greylag, tundra bean and white-fronted geese leave the shallow lake noisily early each morning and return in the evening to spend the night. The marshy lake provides safe conditions for breeding and migration, and thousands of visitors come to watch the birds each year.

Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve, Lithuania’s oldest protected area, joined the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere network 15 years ago. The country’s largest wetland is home to some of Lithuania’s largest populations of great bitterns, western marsh harriers and spotted crakes.

“One of the values we protect is gatherings of migratory birds,” said Arūnas Pranaitis, an ecologist at the reserve. The aim, he said, is to preserve conditions where geese, cranes and other birds can feed and rest undisturbed. The UNESCO network includes 727 reserves in 131 countries, said Paulius Čeponas, head of the Dzūkija-Suvalkija Protected Areas Directorate.

Migratory birds return to places where they can rest safely and prepare for their journeys. The Žuvintas wetland is also a stop for the aquatic warbler, one of Europe’s rarest songbirds. Specialists are currently observing 11 white-tailed eagles nearby.

Pranaitis said the lake would remain active if it did not freeze, and that specialists hoped to see smews, goosanders and possibly new species arrive. Visitors are advised to come early in the morning or in the evening, when birds return to roost. Birds also gather at Lakes Žaltytis and Amalvas.

The reserve has three nature trails, including one leading from the visitor centre to Lake Žuvintas. An observation tower at the end of the trail offers views across much of the lake and the birds gathered there. The visitor centre also has an interactive exhibition and runs educational activities about the reserve’s history, wildlife and plants.