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LT035
Cepkeliai Strict Nature Reserve
Location Lithuania, Alytus
Central coordinates 24o 31.00' East  53o 58.00' North
IBA criteria A1, B2, C6
Area 11,221 ha
Altitude 130 - 150m
Year of IBA assessment 2004

Lietuvos Ornitologu Draugija (Affiliate)



Ornithological information A nationally important site for breeding waders (Pluvialis apricaria and Tringa glareola), woodpeckers (Picus canus, P. viridis and Picoides tridactylus) and Grus grus, and the most important site in Lithuania for Gallinago media and for Tetrao tetrix (more than 50 pairs). Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla, Crex crex.

Site description The site encompasses the largest raised bog in Lithuania (5,858 ha) with many forest `islands', small lakes and marshes, and surrounded by mostly dry Pinus forests on sand-dunes. The bog is the source of two of the cleanest rivers in the country, the ûla and Katra. There is a very low level of land-use.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix breeding  1998  50-60 breeding pairs  unknown  B2  Least Concern 
Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix breeding  -  50 males only  -  C6  Least Concern 
Western Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus breeding  -  40-50 males only  -  C6  Least Concern 
Common Crane Grus grus breeding  1998  10-25 breeding pairs  good  B2  Least Concern 
Common Crane Grus grus breeding  -  20-25 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria breeding  -  5-6 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
Great Snipe Gallinago media breeding  1998  10-15 breeding pairs  medium  A1  Near Threatened 
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola breeding  -  20 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus breeding  -  10 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus breeding  -  6 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 
Grey-faced Woodpecker Picus canus breeding  1998  20 breeding pairs  medium  B2  Least Concern 
Grey-faced Woodpecker Picus canus breeding  -  20 breeding pairs  -  C6  Least Concern 

Protected areas

Protected area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)  
Cepkeliai Nature Reserve 10,590 protected area contains site 10,590  
Cepkeliai Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar) 10,590 protected area contained by site 10,590  
Cepkeliu pelke - LTVAR0009 Habitats Directive 12,857 protected area contains site 11,221  
Cepkeliu pelke - LTVARB002 Birds Directive 11,227 protected area contains site 11,221  
Dainavos giria - LTVAR0017 Habitats Directive 54,833 protected area is adjacent to site 0  
Dainavos giria - LTVARB005 Birds Directive 55,325 protected area is adjacent to site 0  

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Forest Broadleaved deciduous woodland; Mixed woodland; Native coniferous woodland; Treeline ecotone  78%
Wetlands (inland) Fens, transition mires and springs; Raised bogs; Rivers and streams; Standing freshwater  29%
Grassland   1%
Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) Arable land  2%

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
nature conservation and research 100%

Management considerations The reserve is strictly protected and there are no real threats other than the natural colonization of the raised bog by trees, and the event of natural fire. The whole site is covered by the national IBA monitoring network.

Protection status National Partial International Partial10,590 ha of IBA covered by Strict Nature Reserve (èepkeliai, 10,590 ha). 10,590 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (èepkeliai, 10,590 ha).

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Cepkeliai Strict Nature Reserve. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 24/05/2013

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