Kintai Fishponds, Lithuania

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Coordinates : 55.396610, 21.277708 (Open in Google Maps)

Subjects : Lithuania is not very popular as bird watching destination, but we hope we will manage to changethis and as on local level birding is getting incredibly popular in past few years. The area "NemunasDelta" and "Kintai Fish Ponds" offers fantastic opportunities for bird watching. There is a hugevariety of habitats ranging from wetlands, dry sandy Pine forest, swamps and flooded meadows,grassland, arable land, orchards, woodland, etc. The specific location features have defined amazingdiversity of birds. At the moment are registered nearly 330 species and over 15 of them are birds ofprey. Amongst the highlights are Great Snipe, Lesser White-fronted Geese, Montagu's and HenHarrier, Greater and Lesser-spotted Eagles, Eagle Owl, Crested and Willow Tits, ThrushNightingale, Golden Oriole, Wryneck, Barred Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Greenish Warblerand many others. Aquatic Warbler, Red-backed Shrikes and Blyth's Reed Warbler are verycommon birds in spring and summer.

Recommended equipment : Best results with 300 f2.8 (optional: 70-200mm to 600mm) (APS-C)400 f2.8 or 500 f4 (optional: 70-200mm to 800mm) (FF)

Best months : All seasons. Best in winter from December to February, Spring March - May, Summer June - August, Autumn August - October.

How to get there : Flights to Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga International airports and renting a car is the fastest and easiest way to come here.

Visits : Maps of the area (Important Bird Area map, Prime butterfly area) and routes description:These are meant for self-catering birders but guiding is provided upon request at additionalfee. The experience of our guide: http://www.alcedowildlife.com/page.php?id=1. Bird species list that have been seen along the routes; Blank species list for your personal use;

Notes : Spotting scopes. One will be available only if a guide is requested. Facilities developed to attract birds to the backyard of the guest house: Rich vegetation: bushes, fruit trees, reeds; flooded meadows and fishponds. Bird feeders: mainly for seed eating birds in winter; Nest boxes; Small pond for birds to drink water; Two photography hides suitable for birding as well: one hide right in front of the guest house for Kingfisher's photography and one tower overlooking the fishponds. The hides will be available in 2015.We are happy to organize one-two day trips to the Baltic Sea coast: about 45 minutes' drive fromthe guest house. The East Lithuanian Baltic sea coast is the only place in the country where Steller'seider and Velvet Scoter can be seen in winter, but in past 5 years their number is decreasing rapidly.Other highlights of the area are Great Scaup, Red and Black-throated Divers, Common Scoter,Purple Sandpiper, Long-tailed Ducks and etc. This would be subject to additional agreements inwinter period if the birds are in the area.If you want to know more about our birds watching tours, please contact us!