Rare birds return to managed meadows of Tyrai
Although late spring is disrupting breeding plans of many birds in Lithuania, some protected birds have returned to the Tyrai flooded meadows which were mowed after a long time last year.
"We are happy to see the first results of our battle with reed in Tyrai. It only proves that the Aquatic Warbler is a truly umbrella species – by improving habitat conditions for this bird, we are helping other meadow birds as well", – Zymantas Morkvenas of the Baltic Environmental Forum Lithuania says.
Birds choose mown areas
The latest Aquatic Warbler monitoring has shown that Tyrai remains the most important breeding teritory for this species in Lithuania. There are 29 singing males counted here, just like last year. Project team notes, that some of the birds have moved to the newly mown areas which are being managed aiming to restore a valuable natural habitat.
Tyrai meadow, where Kretinga State Forest Eneterprise has mown 400 ha of reed, has become a breeding ground of another globally threatened species - the Great Snipe.
Project expert prof. Aleksander Kozulin says that because of the weakening of reed, the meadow is inhabited by species like Spotted Crake and Eurasian Curlew which was not observed here before. Zydrunas Preiksa, who conducted Aquatic Warbler counts this spring also notes that there after three-four years the Common Redshank is breeding in Tyrai again and there is a significant increase of the Northern Lapwing population in the area.
Altogether there are 51 singing male of the Aquatic Warbler in Lithuania this year, some 1/5 less than in 2012. According to experts, the main reason for this decrease is high water level in the second most important breeding area for this species – Sysa polder.
High water level in polders
Late spring and high water level in polders of the Nemunas delta are disrupting farmers' plans as well as the birds'. There were 23 singing Aquatic Warbler males in Sysa last year, while this year there were only 2.
"According to our experts, birds must be quietly waiting for water level to go down or moving to other areas such as Minija to the north of Sysa, where there are 8 males recorded this year", – Z. Morkvenas explains.
The true situation of the Aquatic Warbler population will be known after the second count in July. This will be the time when negotiations with local farmers regarding delayed mowing will start in order to protect the broods.
"It is obvious that late flood is causing trouble to both farmers and birds. Mutual cooperation to protect their interests is necessary", – project manager says.
Alternative use of biomass is key
Mowing schedule, wanter pumping intensity and cooperation possibilities – these were the main issues discussed during a local stakeholder meeting organized by the Baltic Environmental Forum Lithuania on June 13.
Participants of the Aquatic Warbler welcome event said they are willing to contribute to conservation efforts, as long as they are able to mow their plots and remove the biomass in a timely manner. To implement this, the appropriate water level management should take place.
Alternative use of the late cut biomass was also among the dicussed topics. Sarunas Lauzikas, the deputy mayor of the Silute Regional Municipality noted the proposal to purchaise the biomass for energy production from the farmers participating in the initiative as a priority source.
Photos by Z. Morkvenas and J. Sendzikaite
Aquatic Warbler conservation initiative is part of the project "Securing sustainable farming to ensure conservation of globally threatened bird species in agrarian landscape" (LIFE09 NAT/LT/000233) is co-financed by the EU LIFE+ Programme, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Latvia and the project partners(LIFE09 ANT/LT/000233, www.meldine.lt).
