In the spring, an ornithological expedition was conducted in Paramėlis: 64 bird specieswere recorded

In early April, members of the "Ornitostogos" team — Gediminas Kukta and Audrius Antanavičius — embarked on a three-day expedition across the territories managed by the Paramėlis Nature Restoration Fund and the surrounding habitats. The aim of the expedition was to study the local bird species in greater detail and to install nest boxes for owls inhabiting nearby forests. Early April is the period when most bird species return to their breeding sites, actively sing, and search for mates, making this time of year ideal for such fieldwork. From early morning until late at night, the expedition participants explored various habitats — the valley of the Katra River, the surrounding mature lichen-rich pine forests with spruce admixture, wet alder stands, bogs, and riverbanks.

Main objectives achieved:

• 64 bird species recorded — ranging from common to rare ones
• Four nest boxes installed for Tawny owls (Strix aluco)
• A special nest box mounted for the rare Boreal owl (Aegolius funereus)
• Four male Boreal owls detected at night
• A pair of Tawny owls observed
• Active Long-eared owls (Asio otus) recorded
• Black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) observed at two separate locations
• A female western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) found
• A lynx encountered at night
• Three-toed woodpeckers (Picoides tridactylus) heard
• Singing hazel grouse (Tetrastes bonasia) males detected
• Wildlife cameras installed for further monitoring and to deter visitor disturbance in sensitive areas

These and other collected data will enable the Paramėlis Nature Restoration Fund to plan habitat conservation and restoration initiatives for rare species with greater precision and effectiveness.