Current view: Text account
Site description (2002 baseline):
Site location and context
This is one of Belarus' largest complexes of small-leafed forest swamps, fens, bogs, river floodplains and shallow lakes.
The mix of inaccessible forests, river floodplains, open fens and highly-productive lakes defines large population sizes of several rare bird species. The unique nature of the site is underscored by presence of the last Polesian populations of Great Grey Owl
Strix nebulosa (6-10 pairs), as well as the West-European subspecies of Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus mayor (15-25 males). Regular breeding of several pairs of White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla has been recorded.
Most of the area is covered by small-leafed forests (35%); fens and transition mires cover 30%; bogs 15%; floodplain meadows 10%; highly-productive lakes 10%.Forestry, hunting and fishing are the main land-uses.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Additional research is required to identify all threats. The most obvious negative factors impacting the area are:{in the hydrological regime due to drainage. {on drained peatlands, especially in dry years. {logging.{and overgrowth of Vygonoshchanskoie Lake.Shrub encroachment on open fens.
National Conservation Status: A national hydrological zakaznik was established in 1968.International Conservation Status: An IBA was established in 1998 (criteria À1, Â2, B3).Potential Ramsar site (criteria 1, 2).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Vyhanaščanskija baloty (Belarus). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/vyhanaščanskija-baloty-iba-belarus on 24/12/2024.
