The Katra river valley Biodiversity

The Lithuanian biodiversity spot – the Katra river valley is important for many rare birds, plants, and animals. Spotted Crakes, Water Rails, Black Grouse, and even a Great Snipe have been recorded here. A large variety of rare plants can be found here, the most beautiful of which are 3 species of orchids.

However, this secret and unique territory requires constant maintenance, which in recent years, has been carried out on 8 hectares by the volunteers of the Ornithological tourism company and the employees of Dzukija National Park. But the condition of all 105 hectares of Katra river botanical – zoological reserve is getting worse every year – open areas are overgrowing with reeds and shrubs, which are destroying the habitat of rare birds and plants.  

The VGP Foundation will support the measures showing the importance of this area to the wider nature-friendly public by supporting the building of a nature-watching tower on the edge of Katra River valley and surrounding forests and the wooden nature trail through the flooded forest to the tower. This will be a unique experience to enter and cross the old forest, which is flooded several months a year. The old Black elder alluvial forest is a home of elk, deer, and rare bird species, like tree-toed woodpecker, green woodpecker, black woodpecker, pygmy owl and tawny owl.