Republic of Latvia

• Agris Celmins

  | eastbird@latnet.lv

• Number of bird species: 344

  (As at April 2020)

  National Bird - White Wagtail Motacilla alba

• Birds of Latvia

  | (Latvijas putni / Ptitsy Latvii) | By Viesturs Klimpins | Avots | 1986 | Hardback | 184 pages, Colour photos | Trilingual in English, Russian, and Latvian | ISBN: 9785899600258 Buy this book from NHBS.com

• Laboratory of Ornithology

  Webpage
  Biological Institute, University of Latvia, Miera Street 3, Salaspils, Latvia, LV-2169Email: ornlab@latnet.lvMain research activities of the laboratory cover different aspects of bird life and their habitats, such as population ecology and demography, migration and wise use of bird resources. Studies are carried out mainly in two territories: Latvian National Long-term Ecological Research Network site (water ecosystems of Lake Engure Nature park), and 2) Pape Ornithological station (migration of birds and bats). The main objectives are to explain the factors directly or indirectly influencing changes in bird numbers, including anthropogenic impacts, climate changes, hunting etc. Besides, practical recommendations in prevention of negative effects and maintaining of biodiversity are developed.

• Latvian Academy of Sciences - Institue of Biology

  Website
  New data have been obtained on the survival of birds and philopatry indices for several species of European ducks in Latvia, in conjunction with their reproductive activity and survival of offspring…

• Museum of Zoology - University of Latvia

  Webpage
  The Museum of Zoology was established in 1920. It holds both historically inherited collections and recently collected specimens ranging from invertebrates, such as insects and molluscs, to vertebrates: fishes, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals. Exhibitions in the museum are aimed at pupils, students and nature lovers. It is also a centre for scholarly research into entomology, malacology and ornithology.

• Natural History Museum Of Latvia

  Website
  The Latvian Museum of Natural History is the largest and one of the oldest complex museums of natural history and sciences in Baltic States. The Latvian Museum of Natural History originated from the museum of Riga Naturalists Society (Der Naturforscherverein zu Riga) that was founded in 1845.

• Latvian Ornithological Society - Latvijas Omitologijas Biedriba

  Website
  Latvian Ornithological Society (LOB) has chosen Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix as the bird of the year 2003. The main reason for such a choice is concern, that the numbers of Black Grouse in Latvia might be decreasing as well as a will to pay greater attention to bogs and marshes as a habitat insufficiently researched within Latvian Breeding Bird Atlas. Since 1996, when The Bird of the Year campaign started, we have only chosen species of countryside, forests or waters. Black Grouse is the first Bird of the Year representing bogs. P.O. Box 1010, LV-1050 Riga, Latvia. Phone +371-7221580. E-mail: putni@parks.lv

Abbreviations Key

• BR North Vidzeme

  InformationSatellite View
  The North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve is the only biosphere reserve in Latvia, located in the northern Vidzeme region along the border with Estonia. The reserve includes a multitude of diverse natural and semi-natural habitats. It encompasses vast areas of primeval and traditional landscapes. The area includes 25 nature reserves, one national park and two marine protected areas.

• NP Gauja

  InformationSatellite View
  The Gauja National Park in Vidzeme is the largest national park in Latvia, with an area of 917.45 km² running from north-east of Sigulda to south-west of Cēsis along the valley of the Gauja River, from which the park takes its name. 149 bird and 48 mammal species found in the territory. Since 2004 Gauja NP is a part of Natura 2000 network as a territory, which is designed for conservation of protected species and biotopes.

• NP Rāzna

  Observatory WebsiteSatellite View
  Rāzna National Park is a national park in the Latgale region of Latvia. It was established in 2007 and covers an area of 532 km2 (205 sq mi). This national park was created to protect Lake Rāzna, the second largest lake in Latvia, and the surrounding areas. Because of this, 14% of the surface area of the national park consists of water surfaces. Valuable ecosystems - natural deciduous forests with many rare species of plants are found on several of the 26 islands in Ežezers lake. Of high value are also the semi-natural grasslands.

• NP Slītere

  Observatory WebsiteSatellite View
  Slītere National Park is a national park in Talsi district, Kurzeme Region, on the west coast of Latvia. It is one of the oldest nature reserves in Baltic States and is the smallest national park in Latvia. Slītere National Park lies along the Baltic migratory flyways, making Slītere one of the best places in Latvia for birdwatching. For example, its sea shore is a stopover in late Autumn for the bar-tailed godwit on its way south from the northern toundra; the great grey owl migrates here from Russia in winter. Virtually all species of bird found in Latvia have been observed in Slītere, with many as 60,000 birds per hour having been observed flying over during the spring and fall migrations.

• NP Ķemeri WII

  Observatory WebsiteSatellite View
  Ķemeri National Park is a national park west of the city of Jūrmala, Latvia. Established in 1997, Ķemeri is the third largest national park in the country by area, covering an area of 381.65 km². The territory of the park is mostly occupied by forests and mires, the most significant of them being The Great Ķemeri Bog (Latvian: Lielais Ķemeru tīrelis). There are also several lakes, that are former lagoons of the Littorina Sea. Lake Kaņieris is a Ramsar site. The bog is home for a number of Latvian bird species, such as the Common crane, Wood Sandpiper and European Golden Plover. The latter two species only breeding habitat is the raised bog.

• NR Cenas tīrelis

  Observatory WebsiteSatellite View
  The Cenas tīrelis is a bog located in the municipalities of Marupe, Babite and Olaine, approximately 30 kilometers west of Riga, Latvia. It is a Natura 2000 protected site and one of Latvia's 261 nature reserves. On the widest point away from the start, close to an old military road from WW1, a bird watching tower and picnic tables can be found.

• NR Lake Engure Nature Park

  InformationSatellite View
  Lake Engure Nature Park is a protected park covering 197.62 km2 (76.30 sq mi), named for Lake Engure.

• NR Moricsala

  InformationSatellite View
  Moricsala Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in western Latvia (Courland). It is situated on two islands in Lake Usma and consists of boreal, mixed broad-leaf and oak old-growth forest as well as swamps. 22 species of butterflies can be found here. For some of these butterflies, the nature reserve is the only known habitat in the Baltic states.

• NR Pape

  InformationSatellite View
  Pape Nature Reserve is a Nature Reserve in Latvia about 15 km south of Liepaja. It stretches over 5700 ha and consists mainly of bogs, carr forests and dunes around Lake Pape. It is an important site for migrating birds. Every autumn about 50,000 birds rest in the reserve. Large grazers, like heck cattle, konik horses and European bison have been introduced to the reserve with support of the WWF. There is a visitor centre in the reserve.

• NR Teiči

  Observatory WebsiteSatellite View
  Teiči Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated in eastern Latvia, spread across Madona, Varakļāni and Krustpils municipalities. The area enjoys an unusually high degree of protection, being a "strict nature reserve" as defined by Latvian authorities. It is one of only four such nature reserves in Latvia (from a total of 683 specially protected nature areas). Specimen of most of the birds known to inhabit Latvian wetlands can be found here, some in large numbers — for example cranes and geese.

• WII Lake Engure

  InformationSatellite View
  Lake Engure is a lake in the western part of Latvia, in the Talsi District. It is the third largest lake in the country after Lake Lubāns and Lake Rāzna. The whole lake and its vicinity have been included in the Lake Engure Nature Park since 1999, although the first natural reserve was established here in 1957. It contains a floating base for ornithologists. The lake was included in Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance in 1995.

• WII Lake Kaņieris

  Observatory WebsiteSatellite View
  Kaņieris Lake or Lake Kaņieris is a lake in Latvia located in the Ķemeri National Park west of the city of Jūrmala. It is a former lagoon of the prehistoric Littorina Sea. Since 1995 it is designated a Ramsar wetland of international importance.

• Wetlands

  Observatory WebsiteSatellite View
  Latvia currently has 6 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface area of 150,318 hectares.

• Birding Latvia - Latvijas Putni

  Website
  Gallery, Sightings, Activities etc

• Baltic Country Holidays

  Tour Operator
  Latvia is among one of the world’s three most important bird migration paths, and during migration seasons in spring and autumn, tens of thousands birds can be seen at one place. Latvia’s flat terrain and a climate in which precipitation exceeds evaporation means that particularly along the seashore, there are wetlands that are appropriate for water birds – shallow lagoons and high swamps.

• 2014 [05 May] - Rob Macklin

  PDF Report
  With south-easterly winds we were treated to a migration bonanza with hordes of honey buzzards moving through with sparrowhawks, cranes and thousands of dragonflies. The bushes here were alive with warblers including river, Blyth's reed, marsh and icterine warblers with many caught and ringed and allowing close observation in the hand. Slītere National Park turned up good numbers of greenish warblers and excellent views of lesser spotted eagles plus new butterflies including black-veined white and northern chequered skipper...

• 2015 [05 May] – Rob Macklin

  PDF Report
  ...Two great reed warblers were chuntering away from deep cover and we had good views of a Savi's warbler singing from reed stems. More singing birds included reed warbler, thrush nightingale, cuckoo and reed bunting plus a male red-backed shrike perched up in full view.

• 2021 [08 August] - Frank van Groen

  PDF Report
  I made this individual trip to the Baltic states of Estonia and Latvia with my wife Inka. The trip was organised by the dutch travel agency SNP Natuurreizen. We used a almost new hired car (Toyota Yaris hybrid, 30km/L, distance travelled 2003 km), except for the city trip in Tallinn. During our stay the weather was fine, with almost no rain and moderate temperatures.

• 2022 [05 May] - Ed O'Hara

  PDF Report
  Report compiled by Ed.O’Hara with images by Comghal McQuillan and Ed.O’Hara bonuses of this excellent hotel. Birds of note seen from the balcony were , Common Crossbill Karlis and Comghal birding Kemeri NP Friday 20th May: Kemeri National Park / weather showery rain until 15:00, then overcast singing at the reed edge. We were able to get excellent views of this bird that is normally quite difficult to see. Also present were Reed Buntings, Common Sandpiper and several Yellow Wagtails sp thunbergii. shelter from the rain which by this time was intermittent. Along the way we We flew with Ryanair from Dublin to Riga approximately 3 hours some of it quite bumpy as we neared Latvia. We arrived at 22:00 and were met by our guide for the entire week Karlis Millers of birdinglatvia.lv. We proceeded immediately to our hotel in the Kemeri National Park, the Valguma Pasuale, which is an excellent location to explore the park. This was a trip that had been long anticipated by us because it would yield several lifers for me and many more for Comghal. We would concentrate on the eastern warblers with additional targets in the woodpecker and owl species. In birding timing is everything and we knew that the owls and woodpeckers would be much harder in late May than in April. However we also wanted the summer visiting warblers , so we chose late May for a compromise. Unfortunately we fell between two stools, the owls and woodpeckers proved extremely difficult to find and the warblers were late this year due to the weather patterns. Finding rare / scarce birds is sometimes the triumph of hope over reality with the additional right place wrong time expression thrown in, this was the case for us.

• 2023 [05 May - Erik Hirschfeld - Kolkasrags

  PDF Report
  Following shorter visits to Kolka in late April and September 2022 I decided to make a longer trip there to count migrating seabirds in 2023. Kolka is interesting as the birds passing Kolkasrags east probably do not show up at regular western Estonian count sites such as Pöösaspe or Ristna so Kolka figures could threrefore be important in understanding the seabird migration of this area. I was also interested in counting Black-throated Divers coming from the southeast and flying northwest, probably having departed the Black Sea and travelling overland before passing Kolka.

• Birding Latvia - Latvijas Putni

  Website
  Bird news from Latvia and much more; probably the useful site for Latvian birders

• Latvian Birding

  Website
  Description of several bird watching sites in Latvia. Location, maps, advices and species lists provided for 11 areas, and few others briefly mentioned

• Photographer - Arnis Dimperans

  Gallery
  Pictures of Latvian birds by Arnis Dimperans