Site description (2000 baseline)
The site encompasses the largest raised bog in Lithuania (5,858 ha) with many forest `islands', small lakes and marshes, and surrounded by mostly dry Pinus forests on sand-dunes. The bog is the source of two of the cleanest rivers in the country, the ûla and Katra. There is a very low level of land-use.
Key biodiversity
A nationally important site for breeding waders (Pluvialis apricaria and Tringa glareola), woodpeckers (Picus canus, P. viridis and Picoides tridactylus) and Grus grus, and the most important site in Lithuania for Gallinago media and for Tetrao tetrix (more than 50 pairs). Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla, Crex crex.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Cepkeliai Strict Nature Reserve (Lithuania). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/cepkeliai-strict-nature-reserve-iba-lithuania on 23/12/2024.