As the winter frosts thaw and the soft murmur of spring graces Lithuania’s Baltic coast, Baltijos Jūros Priekrantė awakens from its seasonal slumber. This captivating coastal stretch, nestled within the Pajūris Regional Park and situated to the west of the charming city of Palanga, invites visitors to embrace the unfolding beauty of nature's renewal.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Ieva Savickaitė, an expert from Lithuania’s State Service for Protected Areas (VSTT), who offered invaluable insights into the rich biodiversity and ecological significance of this area, as well as its status as a Natura 2000 special protected area.
Hi Ieva, can you tell us why this protected area is so crucial for biodiversity?
The area serves as a vital sanctuary for a bustling community of bird species seeking refuge during their seasonal migrations, which transforms the landscape into a vibrant tapestry of avian life.
Notable visitors include the red-throated diver (Gavia stellata), common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), long-tailed duck (Clangula hyemalis), velvet scoter (Melanitta fusca) and small gulls (Larus minutus), each playing a crucial role in the delicate balance of this ecosystem.
Their presence not only enriches the region’s biodiversity but also underscores its significance as a designated Natura 2000 habitat. Both the red-throated divers and Steller’s eider are listed as threatened species in HELCOM’s Red List.
Common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)
Velvet scoter (Melanitta fusca)
Small gull (Larus minutus)
How does being part of the Natura 2000 network contribute to protection efforts in the region?
The Natura 2000 designation represents a profound commitment to preserving Europe’s natural heritage. As part of this network, the special protected area gains more than just recognition; it receives a shield of legal protection and a meticulously crafted set of management guidelines that aim to ensure the continuity of its biodiversity.
Through these measures, the protected area becomes more than just a haven for migratory birds, but also a beacon of hope for safeguarding threatened species and habitats.
The red-throated diver is a notable visitor to the area during its seasonal migration.
What can you tell us about the diverse geological characteristics of the area?
Situated along Lithuania’s western coastline and extending southward as far as the village of Karklė, Baltijos Jūros Priekrantė is adorned with diverse geological features that captivate the imagination.
Just a stone’s throw from Palanga, stretches of sandy shores extend gracefully, gently embraced by tranquil waves. As far as the eye can see, the horizon unfolds like an artist’s canvas. Below the surface, stony bottoms with intricate reefs dominated by red algae (Furcellaria lumbricalis) harbour a bustling ecosystem that bursts into life as spring starts to bloom.
In contrast, further south near Karklė, the landscape transforms dramatically, revealing the majestic cliffs known as Olando Kepurė, or the Dutchman's Cap. These towering formations rise proudly to a height of 24 metres, a testament to the relentless force of the Baltic Sea. Standing sentinel-like against the elements, these cliffs command attention, their rugged beauty a stark contrast to the gentle shores found elsewhere along the coast.
What is the origin behind the distinctive name "Dutchman's Cap"?
Sculpted some 12-15,000 years ago during the last Baltic glaciation, the cliffs possess a unique shape reminiscent of a mariner’s hat – a striking resemblance that has earned them this moniker.
Throughout centuries, the Dutchman’s cap has served as a timeless navigational landmark for sailors and fishers braving the tempestuous waters of the Baltic. Perched atop a moraine ridge of unsorted rock and sediment left behind by the retreating glacier, the cap’s parabolic, U-shaped, sand dune structure, bears witness to centuries of relentless erosion. Its tips, shaped by the prevailing winds, serve as a poignant reminder of the passage of time.
As waves relentlessly batter the cliff’s base, boulders from the moraine emerge, shaping a more rugged shore strewn with rubble. Simultaneously, earth slips down the cliff’s face, contributing to the ongoing formation of this distinctive feature.
For visitors, the Dutchman's Cap offers more than just geological wonder – it provides sweeping panoramic views of the Baltic Sea, framed by steep shores and pebbly beaches, making this an idyllic spot for birdwatching. From the historic military pillbox fortifications on top of the bluff to the nearby blind beside Lake Plazė, there are ample opportunities to observe diverse bird species in their natural habitat.
The Dutchman's cap was sculpted some 12-15,000 years ago during the last Baltic glaciation.
Can you tell us about the behaviours of fish species along Lithuania’s coastline during the year?
There’s a rich array of fish species present, but these tend to ebb and flow with the changing seasons.
In late autumn, as the winter chill sets in, sprats (Sprattus sprattus) congregate in the coastal waters before embarking on their spawning migration to the Nemunas river.
As spring arrives, new life appears with European flounders (Platichthys flesus), freshwater flounders (Platichthys platessa), and round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus) making their presence known.
European flounder (Platichthys flesus)
Round goby (Neogobius melanostomus)
European eel (Anguilla anguilla)
As the days grow longer and warmth envelops the coast, critically endangered, migrating eels (Anguilla anguilla) grace the waters. By late summer, a bustling mix of marine and migratory species, including those journeying from the Curonian Lagoon, enriches the biodiversity of the region.
With the arrival of autumn, the coastal waters become a thoroughfare for migratory travellers. From smelt (Osmerus eperlanus) and salmon (Salmo salar) to herring (Clupea harengus) and sprats (Sprattus sprattus), the waters teem with life as these species make their seasonal journeys. Even the elusive sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) makes a fleeting appearance, adding to the intrigue of the coastal ecosystem.
Yet, as November ushers in cooler temperatures, a subtle change begins to unfold again. And the once-thriving marine population begins to taper off, signalling the cyclical nature of life beneath the waves in this unique region.
What challenges does Baltijos Jūros Priekrantė face in terms of biodiversity loss?
The impact of climate change poses a significant threat to the biodiversity of the protected area. As temperatures shift and weather patterns fluctuate, species that traditionally wintered here such as Steller’s eider (Polysticta stelleri) and the common goosander (Mergus merganser) have been forced to alter their migration routes. Steller’s eider sightings in the area ceased after 2014, while common goosanders now only appear during exceptionally cold winters. These changes underscore the vulnerability of local ecosystems to climate shifts.
Another pressing issue is the conflict between human activities and wildlife. Fishers frequently report instances of overfishing, prompting temporary fishing bans to alleviate the depletion of fish stocks. Furthermore, long-tailed ducks often become entangled in fishing nets during winter months, exacerbating the detrimental impact human activities can have on bird species.
Additionally, the repercussions of overfishing extend beyond avian populations. Weakened seals have been discovered stranded along the shoreline as a consequence of their need to dive deeper for fish. When fishers overfish, it diminishes prey availability and disrupts the marine food web.
These intertwined challenges highlight the urgent need for comprehensive efforts to protect the biodiversity of the region.
Steller's eider now winters further north due to the impact of climate change.
Red List species
Among the species listed in this article, the following are identified in HELCOM’s Red List as they face the threat of extinction due to human activities or natural environmental variability. These species are in urgent need of special attention and protection efforts:
Birds:
Brown-necked or red-throated divers (Gavia stellata) – critically endangered
Long-tailed duck (Clangula hyemalis) - endangered
Velvet scoter (Melanitta fusca) – vulnerable (breeding)/endangered (wintering)
Steller’s eider (Polysticta stelleri) – endangered
Fish and lampreys:
Eels (Anguilla anguilla) – critically endangered
Salmon (Salmo salar) – vulnerable
Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) – vulnerable
Herring (Clupea harengus) – least concern
Macrophytes:
Red algae (Furcellaria lumbricalis) – least concern
The height of Dutchman's cap
Years since the Dutchman's cap was formed during the last glaciation
Years since the Dutchman's cap was formed during the last glaciation
Years since the Dutchman's cap was formed during the last glaciation
Years since the Dutchman's cap was formed during the last glaciation
Years since the Dutchman's cap was formed during the last glaciation
Nature 2000 sites across the EU
Years since the Dutchman's cap was formed during the last glaciation
Territories important for bird protection in Lithuania
Territories important for bird protection in Lithuania
Years since the Dutchman's cap was formed during the last glaciation
Territories important for bird protection in Lithuania
