LT016
Birzai forest


IBA Justification

The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2004 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:
Species Red List Season (year/s of estimate) Size IBA criteria
Hazel Grouse Tetrastes bonasia LC breeding (1999) 100 pairs C6
Common Crane Grus grus LC breeding (1999) 20–30 pairs B2, C6
Black Stork Ciconia nigra LC breeding (1999) 10–12 pairs B2, C6
Eurasian Pygmy-owl Glaucidium passerinum LC breeding (2001) 15–25 pairs C6
Ural Owl Strix uralensis LC breeding (2001) 9–10 pairs C6
Lesser Spotted Eagle Clanga pomarina LC breeding (1999) 12 pairs B2
Grey-faced Woodpecker Picus canus LC breeding (2002) 20–30 pairs C6
Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus LC breeding (2002) 30 pairs C6

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation (management category) % coverage of IBA
- Birzu giria Botanical/Zoological Reserve (-) 1
- Latveliai Botanical Reserve Botanical Reserve (-) 1
1992 Birzu girios botaninis draustinis Gamtinis draustinis (IV) 1
1992 Latveliu botaninis draustinis Gamtinis draustinis (IV) 1
2004 Birzu girios biosferos poligonas Biosferos poligonas (VI) 100
2014 Birzai Forest Asp Genetic Reserve Gamtinis draustinis (IV) <1
2014 Birzai Forest Birch Genetic Reserve Gamtinis draustinis (IV) <1
2014 Birzai Forest Fir Tree Genetic Reserve Gamtinis draustinis (IV) <1
2014 Birzai Forest Alder Genetic Reserve Gamtinis draustinis (IV) <1

Habitats

Habitat % of IBA Habitat detail
Forest 98 Broadleaved deciduous woodland; Mixed woodland; Alluvial and very wet forest; Native coniferous woodland; Treeline ecotone
Artificial/Terrestrial 2 Arable land; Forestry plantations; Perennial crops, orchards and groves

Land use

Land use % of IBA
forestry 95
tourism/recreation 40
nature conservation and research 40


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Birzai forest (Lithuania). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/birzai-forest-iba-lithuania on 23/12/2024.