Woodland birding

Woodland birding, in Lithuania as in most other places, is all about finding the right spot. Of course you will always find birds, but when searching for the prime sites with mature natural forest for maximum diversity, you need to know where to go. Forestry and birding don't go well together, so forget about monocultures of pine ar spruce when you look for some really interesting species.

Birders in Lithuania often want to see Capercaillie, Hazel Grouse, Black Grouse, woodpeckers, owls, and Red-breasted Flycatcher. You will not find all of them in one area anywhere, but some places could probably turn up most of them. The diversity of owls is greater in Central and Northern Lithuania, and the Kaunas district will always be good place to start. This area is normally good also for Hazel Grouse and woodpeckers. There is also a possibility to see Lesser Spotted Eagle, but a safe bet is only up to the North in Birzai or Uzulenis forests. Grey-headed and White-backed Woodpeckers are easier to find also at this area.

It is impossible to cover all the different woodland types in this rather short text, thus we shall limit ourselves to a short introduction, so that you can get a comprehensive picture. About 33% of Lithuania is covered by woodlands and 40% by agricultural land. Probably the most numerous tree-species are the Scot pine, Norway spruce, Birch, which seem to tolerate climate ans sandy soil, therefore clay soil, which is typical for central and nothern parts, is dominated other broad-leaved tree species. The most diverse deciduous woods, both in terms of plant and bird species, are found in the central - northern regions. Different soils and plants created woodlands populated by oak and other broad-leaved forest. This mixed with agricultural land and bogs also creates habitats holding a number of bird species rarer than in the rest of the country. The deciduous forests grade into conifer-dominated woodlands in the central part, whereby especially interseting is the Punios forest. These areas have a mix of variuos species of trees and offer the best chance of seeing rare birds such as Lesse Spotted Eagle, Common Buzzard, Honey Buzzard, Hobby, Hazel Grouse, Nightjar, Black Woodpecker, Woodlark, Mistle Trush and Red-backed Shrike.

In South Eastern Lithuania there are largest forests, mostly pine forests with small lakes, bogs and creeks. For example, Rudninkai forest occupies 37,500 ha while the largest forest massif Varenos - Druskininku has an area of 1456,000 ha. Both pine forests are crossed by coldwater rivers and sometimes interrupted by old-style villages. Often pine forests are mixed with Birch, Black Alder or Aspen, in these woodlands you can encounter species such as Northern Goshawk, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Capercaillie, Black Grouse and Roller.

Forests

Birzai forest

Birzai forest is located close to the Northern Lithuanian border. It stretches approximately 30 km in the North - East along Lithuanian - Latvian border. The largest settlement Birzai town is located to the South of Birzai forest.

Birzai forest is classified as a productive mixrd forest, which is dominated by birch, alder, ash and aspen while spruce amounts only to 30%. The area contains 16,474 ha forest territory. The large scale drainage and roads system was built for forestry tasks. Because of tree's felling there is a growing threat for the forest nature including birds.

So far the Birzai forest has a great variety of birds: Black Stork, Hazel Grouse, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Three-toed and White-backed Woodpecker, Pygmy Owl and at least Ural Owl.

 Punia forest

The oldest forest in Lithuania contains virtually almost all forest types found in the country. The Punia forest is surrounded by Nemunas River loop near Alytus town. It cowers about 2,700 ha, part of which is strictly protected. The pine, spruce, birch, black alder predominate in the forest, which contains large quantities of standing and prone deadwood.

No forestry activity has been carried out here for last 35 years. Many forest bird species can be found here. It is habitat for species such as the Black Stork, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Hazel Grouse, Middle Spotted, White-backed and Three-toed Woodpeckers, and Red-breasted Flycatcher.

 Forests of the Dzukija National Park

The area consists of some 49,000 ha, of which 2,080 ha has strictly protected status, while about 20,000 ha contain nature reserves. Approximately two thirds of the area is located in sandy Dainava plain where among steep banks flow coldwater rivers. In old times a thick layer of sand, dry and windy climate formed this unique landscape which you could find at Marcinkonys, Lynezeris and Grybaulia forest dunes. The landscape is diversified by small lakes and rivulets. Continental dunes overgrown by Scot's pine create a landscape unique for Lithuania. It is characterised by a huge massif of dry pine woods with extensive raised bogs and scattered old villages, where many ethnographic homesteads still remain.

This area is mostly occupied by Scot's pine therefore characteristic birds' species of pine forest are Chaffinch, Spotted Flycatcher, Crested Tit, Song Trush, Black Woodpecker, Tree Pipit, Wood Lark. At the areas of mixed forest near rivers or bogs you could meet Woodcock or Hazel Grouse. The parts of old forest are suitable breeding sites for Black Stork, Little Spotted Eagle, Honey Buzzard and Short-toed Eagle. Exceptional feature of Dzukija Park's forests is a great variety of hollow breeding birds including Grey-headed, Green or Three-toed Woodpeckers, Stock Dove. Near lakes or rivers are Mallards, Tufted Ducks or Garganeys. Sometimes near old  forest villages there is a possibility to meet Roller or Hoopoe. At the large bogs near Cepkeliai Reserve one could meet Capercaillies, Black Grouses and Cranes.

 Budos - Pravieniskiu forest

The Budos - Pravieniskiu forest located close to railway Kaunas - Vilnius approximately 25 km to The North - East from Kaunas.

It is complex of wet coniferous, deciduous and mixed forest with an area of 4,760 ha. The oak is important tree species of woodland, the pines dominated on the low sandy holms and Black Alder in the waterlogged areas. The forest is crossed by small rivers, rivulets and drainage system with smaller or larger bogs where stay dams made by beavers, where drainage does not function properly.

Grazute forest

The Grazute forest lies about 10 km South - West from Zarasai town. The complex of the woodland and 11 lakes (the largest one is Samavas lake - 555 ha) is situated on the Sventoji riverhead. The relief is especially diverse. Woodlands cover more than 75%, while water - more than 20% of the area. The pine and spruce dominate in the forest. Waterways lead to the basin of Sventoji River. The territory of Grazute forest belongs to Grazute Regional Park and has a state of Important Bird Area.

Many forest birds and waterfowl species can be found here. It is habitat for species such as the Black-throated Diver, White-tailed Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Osprey, Black Kite, Pygmy and Tengmalm's Owls, Three-toed Woodpecker, Bittern, Nightjar, Hazel Grouse and Crane.

 Padauguvos forest

Padauguvos forest located about 15 km North - West from Kaunas City. The forest is a typical complex of deciduous and mixed forest. The oak stands, big diversity of the broadleaved species with fir, sometimes landscape is crossed by natural segments of rivulets are characteristic of territory which contains 5,554 ha.

It is an important area for many bird species, such as Black Stork, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Hazel Grouse, White-backed and Three-toed Woodpeckers, Woodlark and Red-breasted Flycatcher.