Katra River Valley and Surroundings of the Cepkeliai Strict Nature Reserve

The Katra River valley, located on the edge of Lithuania’s Čepkeliai Strict Nature Reserve, is one of the country’s most valuable wetland landscapes and an important refuge for numerous rare species.

Historically, the 105-hectare marsh valley was maintained as open grassland through traditional haymaking and grazing, creating ideal breeding and feeding habitats for a remarkable diversity of birds, amphibians, butterflies, and orchids. Today, the abandonment of these traditional land-use practices has allowed reeds, shrubs, and trees to overgrow the wetland. As a result, approximately 95% of the valley is now in poor ecological condition, and only around eight hectares remain suitable habitat for many endangered species.

Project Objectives

The project aims to restore this unique ecosystem while strengthening the conservation of one of Lithuania’s rarest breeding birds, the Great Grey Owl.

With an estimated population of just 5 to 10 breeding pairs remaining in the country, the species is primarily limited by the lack of suitable nesting sites. By combining habitat restoration with targeted species conservation measures, the project addresses two of the region’s most pressing biodiversity challenges.

Wetland Habitat Restoration

A key project activity is the restoration of an additional 15 hectares of open wetland through the removal of dense reeds, shrubs, and young trees that have gradually colonised the valley over recent decades.

Restoring these habitats will improve breeding and feeding conditions for numerous threatened species, including Black Grouse, Common Crane, Common Snipe, European Fire-bellied Toad, rare orchids, and butterflies. The restoration will also help re-establish the valley’s ecological functions. Long-term management of the restored areas will be supported through the continued use of the Foundation’s specialised wetland management equipment.