Durbe Lake Birdwatching Tower

Getting there: The route is located 187 km from Riga and 24 km from Liepāja. To reach the birdwatching tower near the Durbe River, turn off the A9 highway towards Aistere and drive 2 km to Lake Durbe. To reach the second site, at Durbe Hillfort, turn onto a small gravel road towards Lake Durbe.

Parking: Cars can be conveniently parked in both parking lots near Lake Durbe.

Distance and time: None.

Special instructions: At both sites there are information stands about Lake Durbe and the fish species found there.

Signage and amenities: Amenities are located near the birdwatching tower.

Public transport:
Riga – Durbe: 06:45 (via Jelgava/4 hours); 11:05 (Mon-Sun); 11:45 (Mon-Sat); 12:40; 13:55; 14:55; 15:25 (Mon-Sun); 16:35 (Mon-Fri); 18:00; 19:40; 20:30 (Mon-Sun).
Durbe – Riga: 06:00 (Mon-Fri); 08:55 (Mon-Sat); 10:20; 12:45; 13:25; 14:47; 16:49; 18:49; 20:09 (Mon-Sun). Travel time 3.2 hours.
Liepāja – Durbe: 05:10; 05:40 (Mon-Fri); 06:00; 06:25; 08:05; 08:35; 10:00; 12:25; 12:40 (Mon-Sun); 13:05 (Mon-Fri, Sun); 14:20; 14:45; 16:25; 18:25; 19:45 (Mon-Sun).
Durbe – Liepāja: 09:12 (Mon-Sat); 10:57; 12:51; 14:23 (Mon-Sun); 15:05 (Mon-Sat); 15:58; 17:15; 18:15; 19:13; 10:45; 21:08 (Mon-Sun); 21:15 (Mon-Sat); 23:00; 23:15 (Mon-Sun). Travel time 30 minutes.

Nearest routes: “Durbe”, “Līguti Park”, “Aistere Fields”.

Season: Suitable birdwatching sites all year round (if the lake does not freeze). A good place for waterbird observation throughout the year. In spring, in April–May, a significant number of various diurnal birds of prey migrate over – buzzards, kites, falcons, etc.

In total, 138 bird species have been observed along the route.

The Durbe Lake birdwatching tower was built in 2018. It is possible to observe birds inhabiting the western and southern shores of the lake and the reedbeds – great bittern, Savi's warbler, black tern, great white egret, great crested grebe, mallard, and other waterbirds. During migration, several hundred goldeneyes, ducks, and geese may gather on the lake. Around the tower, white wagtail, long-tailed tit, reed warbler, and marsh warbler nest.

The second site is at the southern end of the lake. Here, a small parking area has been built, which can also be conveniently used for birdwatching. The species composition is similar to that from the birdwatching tower, but more farmland bird species are found here because of the nearby floodplain meadows. It is a good place for observing birds of prey during spring migration. It is possible to observe the great grey shrike, Eurasian hobby, marsh warbler, sedge warbler, sand martin, corncrake, and red-backed shrike.

Bird List of Dienvidkurzeme_for print