Lithuania has some wetlands of considerable size, which are worth mentioning. Zuvintas Biosphere Reserve wetland system is situated next to the shallow Zuvintas Lake in central Lithuania. The eutrophical lake in agricultural areas, surrounded by high bogs and deciduous forests, constitutes a birding site that most Lithuanian birders and dwellers are visiting every year.

At spring time one can normally find in this area some species of Geese, Bewick's Swan, Red-necked and Slavonian Grebes, Hen Harriers and White-tailed Eagle just to mention a few. In spring thousands of birds use the shallow and very productive lake and wetlands around as staging areas, and diversity of wildfowl is impressive. Although relatively rare in the rest of the country, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Garganey and Gadwall can all be seen quite easily. A trip after dark will reveal singing of Common Quail, Corn Crake, Spotted Crake, Little Crake and Grasshopper Warbler. The Reed and Sedge Warblers are common, as well as Marsh Harriers are mostly seen during daytime. Breeding birds including Black-tailed Godwit and Beaded Reedling you could meet also. The potential for rarities is great, during last trips we saw Great Reed Warbler, Savi's Warbler and Aquatic Warbler to mention a few of the most interesting species.

In the middle of pine forest Novaraistis, southwest of Kaunas there is another wetland which is most important as staging area for mainly Cranes and Geese, dabbling ducks and waders. The number of birds present depends on the season. The peat islands in the shallow waters can attract hundreds of birds. Thosands of Cranes have their stopover at the sunsets in autumn.

The Nemunas river estuary with flat grasslands has a large number of channels and small lakes that together form one of most important stahing and breeding areas for wildfowl as the richest wetland of Lithuania. Large numbers of geese, waders and ducks have stopovers here in April and May. In these months the majority of geese, wildfowl and raptors normally occuring in Lithuania can be found here. The potential for rarities is also great, during our last trip we saw Aquatic Warbler, Savi's Warbler, Great Snipe and to mention a few of most interesting species.

Wetlands

 Zuvintas Biosphere Reserve

The Zuvintas BR extends between the West of Alytus town and the East of Marijampole town. The Biosphere Reserve is an extensive wetland complex containing large eutropic, overgrown lake of Zuvintas (area 970 ha) withfloating islands, huge raised bogs, sedge fens, large reed beds, water-meadows and wet forest. In addition to that Zuvintas BR contains lakes Zaltytis and Amalvas also surrounded by transitional bogs, reed swamps and wet meadows. The complex is important for breeding Aquatic Warblers, as well as Bitterns, Black Grouse, waders. The spring and autumn migrations ways of migrating geese and cranes bring thousands of geese, ducks and waders around Reserve lakes.

Although the most territory is strictly protected, the Eastern boundary has three birdwatching towers, two of them near wetlands and the last one in the lake reeds.

The birds species encountered in this area are Bittern, Crane, Grey Goose, Black Grouse, Marsh Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, White-tailed Eagle, Bluethroat and Aquatic Warbler.

Novaraistis Ornithological Reserve

Novaraistis OR covers an area of about 827 ha and extends to the South from settlement Lekeciai (Sakiai district) in the middle of pine forest Paryzine which is a part of one of largest pine forests of Lithuania.

This is restored peat bog with numerous areas of shallow water overgrown with aquatic vegetation, and exploited peat land. The line of old railway divided area in two parts. The first part is overgrown peat bog with numerous shallow water bogs and channels. The second area is open water - lake with peat islands in the middle of waters which makes it a very pretty place for gulls and terns. The forest around form a suitable area for nesting prey birds. The birdwatching tower has been built in the middle of peat bog. The vantage point from birdwatching tower makes it possible to observe the whole area - northern part as a shallow lake with mant peat islands and southern marsh with groups of low trees and scrubs.

This wetland is important for species such as the Woos Sandpiper, Spotted Crake, and migrating cranes. In this area you can also find the following birds species: Bittern, Crane, Greylag Goose, Little Crake, Hobby, Marsh Harrier, White-tailed Eagle.

Nemunas Delta Regional Park

Nemunas Delta Regional Park is a system of channels, islands, wetlands, bogs, and wet forests. Nemunas Delta is flooded each year by freshets not only in spring time but also sometimes in the middle of winter. The flat landscape of meadows was covered by water; dwellers of farms can reach each other by boats. The spring freshets start approximately in the middle of March and continue 16 to 30days, at this time water comes near Rusne Island up to 1.50 - 2.00 m. The territory of the Park covers 29,013 ha of grasslands (52%), water areas (18%), bogs (13%) and forests (10%).

At the time of migration Nemunas Delta is the place for rest and feeding for ten thousands of White-fronted Goose, Pintail, many raptors like White-tailed Eagle also swans, waders. Meadows near settlement Minge, grasslands between Kroku Lanka Lake and Minija River are internationally important area for migrating Whooper Swans.

The Park's area is a breeding site for 170 species. Only here nest Lithuanian Pintail and Avocet. In the grasslands reside Corn Crakes and Aquatic Warblers also Great Snipe, Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit. On the Delta's shores there are Dunlins, in the waters one can find Black-necked, Great Crested Grebe, Little Gulls and White-winged Terns. The Zalgiriai forest gives breeding shelter for Eagle Owls, White-tailed Eagles. The area around Kroku Lankos Lake is suitable place for Short-eared Owl and Aquatic Warbler. The White Storks population has 169 pairs in the Park's territory. The Nemunas Delta is definitely the most important and exciting location for birds in Lithuania.

Curonian Spit

The Curonian Spit located among two water areas - the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. It is 97 km long sand isthmus (Lithuanian part covers 50 km), the place near Nida is 4 km wide and in the narrowest point in Russia near Lesnoje it is about 400 m.

This is unique landscape - bare, drifting dunes and sandy areas supporting different types of plant cover. The large parts of dunes are overgrown by pine trees. The forests in the wet western part near Curonian Lagoon are mixed with Black Alder, Birch and Spruce. The entire area is protected, with the land part enclosed within the Kursiu Nerija National Park. The climate is very different from the continental part of Lithuania. Autumns and winters are warmer, springs are colder than in central or eastern Lithuania. Curonian Spit has 40% sunny days a year which is more than in continent. However, winters are very wet - 82% humidity. All this and other circumstances create fine conditions for migrating birds. From August to April shores and waters along Spit are shelter for Divers, Grebes, Eiders, Long-tailed Ducks. The open waters of Lagoon are a habitat for thousands of Goldeneyes, Goosanders, the space above waters is controlled by White-tailed Eagles. In spring time - millions of Chaffinches, Tits and other warblers accompanied by Sparrowhawks, Falcons, Harriers are on their way to the North. Breeding time attracts about 100 species, among them Common Schelduck, Shoveler, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Great Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Wood Lark, Great Reed and Reed Warblers, Gulls and Terns. In the sandy dry meadows we can find Tawny Pipit. Near Juodkrante Great Cormorants with Grey Herons founded the largest colony - about 1900 Cormorants and 150 Herons in wet forest on the shore of the Curonian Lagoon. The old pine forests are breeding area for Hobby and Stock Dove and Juodkrante spruce forest - for one of the smallest birds - Firecrest.

The other significant advantage for birders in Curonian Spit is early spring birding. It is a time from March to May. The landscape is free of holidaymakers, only natives abd real birders are there. This convenience is increased by the possibility to reach the birding sites on the Dune of Parnidis, where before you come there flocks of birds are on their way to the North or seacost with Divers and Eiders in the Baltic Sea. These sites can be reached by car, since one has no transport heavy and friable equipment. Upon the change of weather condtions, birders also can quickly find a near lee at the car. It is fine if you love windy rainy weather and the temperature from 5 to 10 degrees of Celsius. In summer time it turns into resort in full strenght but you can choose.

Ezerelis wetlands

Pain landscape, wetlands with wet meadows and polders system is Ezerelis wetlands. This territory is located about 20 km to the South - West from Kaunas. Most part of territory is surrounded by wet forests and only eastern part by agricultural lands. This formerly exploited peat-bog and formerly cultural meadows are flooded with aprtly overgrown with scrubs, reeds and cattails.

Ezerelis wetlands is a suitable area for Spotted and Little Crakes, Corn Crake, Black Stork, Crane, Bittern, Red-backed and Great-grey Shrikes, Barred, River and Savi's Warblers, Marsh Harrier.