Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
Flood-meadows, reedbeds, rivers, lakes and forests in the Nemunas delta. Most of the IBA is protected, with the remainder being used for haymaking, pasture and cultivation. Krokø Lanka lake (55°25'N 21°24'E) is used for fishing.
The most important bird area in Lithuania. Very large numbers of waterbirds congregate at the site on passage (autumn and spring) and during the moulting season, including
Cygnus columbianus, Anser fabalis, A. albifrons, A. anser, Aythya fuligula and
Mergus albellus. A very rich and diverse assemblage of wetland, meadow and forest species breed (often in large numbers), including four breeding species of global conservation concern and numerous waterbirds and raptors. Large populations of gulls and terns also breed at the site, and include
Larus minutus, Sterna albifrons and
Chlidonias niger. The large colonies of
Larus ridibundus disappeared in the 1980s.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Haymaking has been abandoned on many meadows, although these currently still provide good habitat for migratory waterbirds and breeding waders. Krokø Lanka lake and adjoining meadows are covered by the national IBA monitoring network. A management plan is currently being prepared with the support of the Worldwide Fund for Nature and Euronatur.
National High
International High26,625 ha of IBA covered by Regional Park (Nemunas delta, 26,625 ha). 23,950 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Nemunas delta, 23,950 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Nemunas delta regional Park (Lithuania). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/nemunas-delta-regional-park-iba-lithuania on 22/11/2024.
