Bird migration on the Curonian Spit description and photos - Lithuania: Neringa (Topic)

Bird migration on the Curonian Spit description and photos - Lithuania: Neringa. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photos and a map showing the nearest significant objects.

Photo and description

The Curonian Spit is a paradise for birds and ornithologists. It has been known for centuries that a popular bird route from northern Europe to southern Europe (and vice versa) runs over the Curonian Spit, called the “migration road of the White-Baltic Seas.”

Back in the early twentieth century ( 1901) in one of the few villages on the Rasite spit (now the village of Rybachy) a special station was created to collect information on the migratory flow of birds. The main activity of the station, which operates to this day, is the collection of biometric material and the ringing of birds. This station has the tallest traps in the world, which are huge funnels 15:30:70 m, at the end of which there are small cages. During migration, about a million birds fly through the spit a day, more than one hundred of them fall into traps. In total, about 300 species of birds migrate along this route, more than 200 build nests on the Curonian Spit.

It is worth noting that studying the life of birds is one of the common hobbies all over the world among lovers of observing nature in its various manifestations. And one of the main tasks in this matter is the identification of migratory birds and the identification of their total number. To do this, you need to be very familiar with the appearance of birds and the sounds they make. Because a flying bird can only be recognized by its voice. You will also need special devices (binoculars, telescopes or digital photos, video equipment) and a specialized guide about birds.

You can watch your feathered friends from any heights (hills and dunes, from special towers) or in an open wide area, for example, in the fields. But no matter where you contemplate the flight of birds, complete silence and the absence of others, any interference, and most importantly, the place you have chosen for observation should be on the way of their migration, is necessary. The combination of all the requirements makes the Curonian Spit a favorable place for comfortable observation of bird life.

Parnidzhio is one of the highest and most popular among fans of feathered dunes, located not so far from the village of Nida, known among foreign ornithologists as the Sand Dune clock. From March to May, birds fly to Lithuania from wintering to incubate new offspring. An even greater flow of migrants to the south can be observed in the autumn period (August - November), since chicks hatched over the summer are added to the main composition.

First, birds fly away, which have a long journey to the south. The very first of them fly mainly at night, overcoming great distances, to Africa and India. These are orioles, cuckoos, lentils, and small flycatchers. Then the migration of birds wintering in Europe begins. These are blackbirds, finches, tits. Birds are very active on sunny days.

There are not many places in Europe where you can observe so many migratory birds, unlike the Curonian Spit. Successful geographic data direct birds to fly over a narrow streamer, allowing observers to view a wide variety of birds. On the spit, various species of birds were seen, many of which flew to winter on the African continent and those who strove north to incubate their offspring.

An important advantage for bird watching in the vicinity of Nida is that there is a well-developed tourist infrastructure in the village. Regardless of the season, you can find good accommodation and food at reasonable prices. Likewise, the Parnigio dune is well prepared for a visit. It can be reached by car in order not to carry sensitive and sometimes very heavy equipment, which is necessary for observation. Even if the weather suddenly catches you by surprise, you can easily find refuge here.

Starting from August, during the autumn migration period, you can observe up to half a million birds a day, flying south. And among them are flocks of starlings, siskins, blackbirds, swallows, finches, larks, ducks and swans. The number of birds of prey is also great. In spring, on the spit, frequent guests are - skiffs, pigalits, herons and curlews. What is important here you can see rare species of birds such as pink starling, falcon, peregrine falcon and red kite.

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Topic: Bird migration on the Curonian Spit description and photos - Lithuania: Neringa.