LT033
Kretuonas Landscape Reserve


Site description (2000 baseline):

Site location and context
A shallow nutrient-rich lake with six islands, surrounded by wet meadows, mires, reedbeds and woodland.



Key biodiversity
The lake (and particularly the islands) are important for breeding waterbirds, notably Sterna albifrons and Chlidonias niger. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (possibly an irregular breeder), Crex crex (up to 3 calling males), Gallinago media (1 known pair).



Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Overgrowth by shrubs has reduced the extent of some open habitats and has thus reduced the numbers of some bird species, especially breeding waders. Bird observations are made every year.



Protected areas
National High International None1,260 ha of IBA covered by Ornithological Reserve (Kretuonas, 1,260 ha).




Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Kretuonas Landscape Reserve (Lithuania). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/kretuonas-landscape-reserve-iba-lithuania on 23/12/2024.