Bird-Watching in Gauja National Park

Bird fauna in Gauja National Park in terms of nature tourism is appreciated both by foreign and local tourists. The largest nesting population of grey wagtail in Latvia is just one example. Although these are just few pairs, in terms of access and concentration it is the safest place in Latvia to watch this species during the nesting period. The forests of slopes with old deciduous trees attract less common species of woodpeckers (White-backed woodpecker, Three-toed woodpecker, Black woodpecker, Middle spotted woodpecker). Relatively often spotted are the elsewhere rare Greenish warbler, Red-breasted flycatcher and locally common Hazel grouse. Ural owl has started nesting in the park, and the smallest owl of Latvia — Pygmy owl — is also seen more often. Many corn-crakes and some species of warblers, which are not common in Western Europe (River warbler, Blyth’s reed warbler), are found in the riverside meadows of Gauja. Rivers which are not covered with ice during the winter (Amata, Ieriķupīte, Kumada, Vaive, Cimziņa, Grīviņupīte, Gauja, Brasla, etc.) are home to the wintering white-throated dippers. Similarly, kingfisher is seen more often than elsewhere on the small rivers and ice-free rivers, oxbow lakes, or larger areas where the springs come out of the earth. Significant habitats are the parks and alleys of former manors attracting much more common and thus easily spotted species of birds (woodpeckers, tawny owl). During the migration period, the migratory birds like stopping over at former or present quarries (in Lode, Bāle, Cēsis) and the largest lake of the park — Lake Ungura. Meadows adjoining to the Suda Bog located outside of the reserve area are a significant place where the cranes gather in autumn.

Best time to watch birds

Bird-watching places in the vicinity of Gauja National Park

More than 120 white stork pairs and at least some Black storks nest in or close to the National Park. Interesting places for bird-watcher close to the National Park are the Mound Zilaiskalns and its forests of slopes, or forests in the vicinity of Sietiņiezis Cliff (Hazel grouse, various species of woodpeckers, including the rare Three-toed woodpecker, Red-breasted flycatcher), Lielais and Pemma Bogs north of Straupe (species living in bogs), as well as the largest lake of the National Park — Lake Ungura. Middle spotted woodpecker, White-backed woodpecker, Grey-headed woodpecker are found in the most popular tourism site — the slope of Turaida Museum Reserve. Canoeing allows for better spotting of rare woodpecker species on the old trees on the riverside, and listen to many singing birds, and meet the Kingfisher.

	Recommended bird-watching route time Late May, beginning of June.
	Route Evening walk in the vicinity of hotel “Karlamuiza Country Hotel” — listening to the Tawny owl. Early morning walk near Kārļi (facilitated trails, park, alleys, old orchards with apple-trees). Bird species*: Common rosefinch, Red-backed shrike, Pygmy owl, Grasshopper warbler, Meadow pipit, Tree pipit, Flycatchers, Tits, Mistle thrush, etc. Veclauči. 3.5 km long hiking trip along Amata trail and in the forests near Zvārte Rock (Meža māte trail). Bird species: Red-breasted flycatcher, Greenish warbler, Grey wagtail, Honey buzzard, Kingfisher, Wren, Common treecreeper, European crested tit, traces and places of Three-toed woodpecker, Hazel grouse, etc. Zvārte Rock–Līgatne Ferry Crossing 14 km. Bird species: Middle spotted woodpecker, Siskin, probably — overflying lesser Spotted eagle, Common buzzard, etc. Canoe trip 10 km, ~2 h on the River Gauja from Līgatne Ferry Crossing to the stop downstream of the place where the River Brasla mouths Gauja. The river is wide and deep here — there is a zero risk of falling over. Bird species: Black woodpecker, White-backed woodpecker, Kingfisher, Common sandpiper, Goosander, Golden-eye, lesser Spotted woodpecker, Northern long-tailed tit, Willow tit, etc. Inciems–Turaida 19 km. Bird species: Middle spotted woodpecker, Grey-headed woodpecker, White stork, Pied flycatcher. Ķeizarskats and Velnala Cave nature trail of Sigulda. Dainu Garden in Turaida Museum Reserve.
	Distance 46.5 km
	Difficulty level Easy–moderate.
	Worth knowing! Bird-watching is best combined with a respective accommodation option outside of a town. Early morning walks before a rich breakfast are advantageous — making use of the time between sunrise and 8 a.m. A higher priority should be given to accommodation closer located to old parks. The activity is at one’s own risk. Emergency services: 112.
	Recommendation! The route can be made individually with prior booking of accommodation and planning of transportation options. In such case, some basic knowledge or a partner with at least amateur-level knowledge in “bird issues” is needed. If you are looking for professional event organisation or maximum number of bird species on your list, hire a professional guide — bird-watcher.
	Ethics! In watching the birds, keep the “bird interests” first; thus avoid disturbing the standard activities and places of living of birds.

Dress code and tools:

• suitable footwear for walking, canoeing, or cycling;
• suitable and comfortable outdoors clothing;
• water-proof bag to keep your belongings in the canoe;
• binocular, telescope;
• telephoto;
• bird guide and other materials;
• bird guide app on your smartphone;
• records of bird songs: www.xeno-canto.org.

* These bird species might be probably, not definitely spotted.