email a friend
printable version
LT030
Zuvintas Biosphere Reserve
Location Lithuania, Alytus,Marijampole
Central coordinates 23o 32.00' East  54o 28.00' North
IBA criteria A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3, C1, C2, C3, C6
Area 18,493 ha
Altitude 100 - 120m
Year of IBA assessment 2004

Lietuvos Ornitologu Draugija (Affiliate)



Ornithological information An important wetland for a wide variety of breeding and migrating waterbirds (including good numbers of Anser fabalis and A. albifrons on passage). Acrocephalus paludicola has greatly decreased since 1980, when there were 25-30 pairs. This is the best breeding site for Porzana parva and P. porzana in Lithuania. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (3-5 calling males), Gallinago media. More than 10 pairs of Aythya nyroca bred in the 1970s but no recent data are available.

Site description A complex of raised bogs, marshes, forests, meadows and a large, shallow, overgrown, nutrient-rich lake.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix breeding  1999  35 males only  -  C6  Least Concern 
Bean Goose Anser fabalis passage  1999  5,000 individuals  unknown  A4i, B1i  Least Concern 
Bean Goose Anser fabalis passage  1999  2,000-5,000 individuals  -  C3  Least Concern 
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons passage  1999-2003  3,000-7,000 individuals  -  C3  Least Concern 
Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris breeding  1998  10 breeding pairs  medium  B2  Least Concern 
Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris breeding  1999  12-17 males only  -  C6  Least Concern 
Western Marsh-harrier Circus aeruginosus breeding  1999  40-60 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus breeding  1999  6-9 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
Little Crake Porzana parva breeding  1999  20 breeding pairs  medium  B3  Least Concern 
Little Crake Porzana parva breeding  1999  55 males only  -  C6  Least Concern 
Spotted Crake Porzana porzana breeding  1999  20-30 breeding pairs  medium  B3  Least Concern 
Spotted Crake Porzana porzana breeding  1999  20-35 males only  -  C6  Least Concern 
Common Crane Grus grus passage  1998  900 individuals  unknown  A4i, B1i  Least Concern 
Common Crane Grus grus breeding  1999  28 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
Common Crane Grus grus passage  1999  600-900 individuals  -  C2  Least Concern 
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola breeding  1999  3 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius breeding  1999  20 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos breeding  1999  32 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola breeding  1999  10-15 breeding pairs  medium  A1, B2  Vulnerable 
Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola breeding  1999  15 breeding pairs  -  C1  Vulnerable 
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica breeding  1999  10 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 

Protected areas

Protected area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)  
Zuvintas Nature Reserve 5,442 protected area contained by site 5,442  
Zuvintas Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar) 7,500 protected area contained by site 5,442  
Zuvinto ezeras ir Buktos miskas - LTALY0005 Habitats Directive 18,493 is identical to site 18,493  
Zuvinto, Zaltycio ir Amalvo pelkes - LTALYB003 Birds Directive 18,490 protected area contained by site 18,490  

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Forest Alluvial and very wet forest; Broadleaved deciduous woodland; Mixed woodland; Native coniferous woodland; Treeline ecotone  33%
Grassland   15%
Wetlands (inland) Fens, transition mires and springs; Raised bogs; Rivers and streams; Standing freshwater; Water fringe vegetation  31%
Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) Arable land; Other urban and industrial areas  20%

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture 20%
nature conservation and research 100%
forestry minor
rangeland/pastureland 15%

Management considerations The abundance of breeding ducks and waders has declined due to nutrient pollution of the wetland by human activities (`Other' threat).

Protection status National Partial International Partial5,442 ha of IBA covered by Strict Nature Reserve (Žuvintas, 5,442 ha). 5,442 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Žuvintas, 5,442 ha).

Contribute  Please click here to help BirdLife conserve the world's birds - your data for this IBA and others are vital for helping protect the environment.

Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Zuvintas Biosphere Reserve. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 26/05/2013

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife