Pape
Access: The route is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Pape. From the A11 highway Liepāja-Klaipėda, turn right near Rucava onto road V1221 and drive 9 km until the Pape Canal.
Parking: Cars can be conveniently parked in parking lots near the Pape lighthouse and "Dzintarvēji", or in suitable spots along the roadside, following traffic regulations.
Distance and Time: The route is 13 km long. The hike takes about 5 hours on foot. By bicycle, approximately 2 hours.
Special Instructions: None.
Signs and Facilities: Available in the parking lots near the Pape lighthouse and "Dzintarvēji".
Public Transport: None.
Nearby Routes: "Nida", "Northern end of Lake Pape", "Wild Horse Pastures".
Season: Bird species can be observed all year round during daylight hours. The best time for night hikes is from April to July, for detecting owls, reed birds, and warblers.
Means of Travel: The route can be accessed year-round by foot or car. If done on foot, it is recommended to divide the route into shorter sections. In spring, summer, and autumn, bicycles are also an option.
Lake Pape, together with Nida Bog, is one of the five RAMSAR wetlands in Latvia. The area is home to a high level of biodiversity, especially species related to freshwater habitats. In autumn, Pape is the most outstanding birdwatching site in Latvia. During the season, millions of migrating birds pass through the area on their way south. This phenomenon is due to the unique geography, with the Baltic Sea on one side of Pape village and Lake Pape on the other, creating a narrow land corridor. Bird migration can also be observed in spring, though less intensively. A total of 274 bird species have been recorded along the route.
1. Pape Lighthouse
An excellent place for sea birdwatching. During spring migration from March to May, hundreds of thousands of waterbirds fly over the sea to their northern breeding grounds—Red-throated and Black-throated Divers, Black Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Velvet Scoters, Red-breasted Mergansers, and others. In summer, species such as Hoopoe, Black Redstart, Greenfinch, and Barn Swallow nest in the area.
2. Pape Pier and Canal Mouth
A good location for observing land and sea bird migration. Washed-up masses of red algae on the shore provide feeding grounds for sandpipers, dunlins, and plovers. Rare migrant species like the Tawny Pipit, Mediterranean Gull, and Purple Sandpiper, which do not breed in Latvia, have been spotted here.
3. Līgupes-Paurupes Canal Area
A suitable place for observing farmland birds. During migration, the canal’s reedbeds and shrubs host various warbler species, pipits, buntings, and shrikes. In summer, Corncrakes, Red-backed Shrikes, and Great Grey Shrikes nest in the meadows. The area is also used as a feeding ground by Long-eared Owls and Kestrels.
4. Wild Herbivore Pastures near Brušvīti
A great spot for observing waterfowl and meadow birds. In spring and autumn, hundreds of waders and ducks gather here. Birds of prey like the White-tailed Eagle, Red Kite, and Hen Harrier hunt in the area. In the coastal meadows, birds such as the Common Redshank, Northern Lapwing, Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, and Red-backed Shrike nest. Surrounding forests provide breeding sites for Grey-headed Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Wood Sandpiper, Golden Oriole, and Common Buzzard.
5. Wild Herbivore Pastures near Līgupes-Paurupes Canal
The meadows serve as feeding grounds for birds from the lake—Marsh Harrier, Crane, and Greylag Goose. In summer, species such as Hobby, Nightingale, Marsh Warbler, Meadow Pipit, and Black Stork frequent the area. The rare Short-toed Snake Eagle, whose breeding grounds in Latvia are now limited to the Pape Lake area, can also be observed.
Dienvidkurzeme bird list_for print