Metelys, Dusia & Obelija lakes (Lithuania) IBA | Summary

LT031

Metelys, Dusia & Obelija lakes

Current view: Summary

Country/territory: Lithuania
Subnational region(s): Alytus

IBA Justification: A4iii, B2, B3, C1, C4, C6 (2004)

Area: 4,480 hectares (44.80 km²)

BirdLife Partner(s): Lietuvos Ornitologu Draugija

Site description (2000 baseline)
Three large lakes with differing habitat conditions. Dusia lake is mesotrophic, while Meteliai and Obelija lakes are eutrophic and have numerous reedbeds. Forests, meadows and marshes adjoin the lakes. Land-uses are varied, and include agriculture, fishing, forestry, recreation and human habitation.

Key biodiversity
The site is important for breeding Botaurus stellaris and crakes Porzana, and for moulting and migrating congregations of other waterbirds, especially Fulica atra. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (6-8 pairs), Crex crex.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Metelys, Dusia & Obelija lakes (Lithuania). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/metelys-dusia-&-obelija-lakes-iba-lithuania on 23/01/2025.