Field trip to the Nemunas river delta regional park – Lithuania’s natural wonder
Tuesday, September 25th, 2012
The Nemunas river delta regional park was established in 1992 September 24, in order to preserve the Nemunas delta landscape, the natural ecosystem and cultural heritage values. The scenery of the Nemunas delta, with its two main arms, Atmata and Skirvytė, and the island Rusnė, which they surround, is unique. Water is omnipresent and dominates the landscape: river arms branching out, the big lagoon lake Krokų Lanka and many other small lakes, all interwoven. There also are found ancient river beds, swamps and marshes. Particularly during the great spring flood, the regional park makes an unforgettable impression. The delta is famous for its large number of rare varieties of breeding birds. It is also an important resting area for migratory birds. Of the 325 bird species monitored in Lithuania, only 20 were observed in the Nemunas River Delta. In 1993 Nemunas Delta Regional Park was recognized as international importance location and RAMSAR convention area for the migratory birds. The Nemunas Delta Regional Park area is 29,013 ha.
Ventė Cape (Lith. Ventės ragas; sometimes referred to as Ventė Horn or Ventė Peninsula) is a headland in Nemunas Delta, located in Šilutė district, Lithuania. It is known as a rest place for many birds during their migrations, particularly the autumn migration. The ornithological station in Ventė Cape (one of the first bird ringing stations in Europe) was established in 1929 as the peninsula was and still is an ideal place for watching and catching birds. One of the biggest bird migration ways extends over the eastern shore of Baltic sea. Sometimes during September and October more than 3 million birds flies over the area per day! More than 70% of them turn to Curonian Lagoon and then about 30% choose the way crossing sky above the Ventė Cape. After establishing the Ventė Cape ornithological station approximately 60000-80000 birds are ringed per year. Some ringed birds were caught again even in Egypt, Iran and South Africa! In order to understand the mysterious features of birds migration and ringing, a little informative museum has been established there.
The Ventė Cape is worth visiting undoubtedly as it is a unique place where human may approach to nature life so close!
Minija (Lith. Minija) or Minge (Lith. Mingė) village known as Lithuanian Venice is a fishermen village on the lowland of the Minija. Instead of the main street there flows the river Minija.
Trip by ship in the Curonian Lagoon (depending on weather). Snacks and beverages will be served on board.
You will be amazed by the view of the landscapes of the Nemunas Delta from one side and the Curonian Spit from other side!
The Curonian Spit is the pearl of Lithuania which, since the year 2000 has been included in the list of World Heritage of UNESCO as a site of cultural landscape having many natural and cultural values. It is the only place in Lithuania where the sun rises from and sets into the surface of water.
Enjoy the view of the most famous the Parnidis dune (Lith. Parnidžio kopa) where Solar clock (Lith. Saulės laikrodis) was built also the Grey Dunes (Lith. Pilkosios kopos), otherwise known as the Dead Dunes (Lith. Mirusios kopos). Due to strong winds impressive ravines, erosions and washouts are formed in the Dead Dunes. Here and there, fragments of old soils appear from under the sands.
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