Slitere National Park

Slitere National Park

Slītere National Park, located on the west coast of Latvia, is not only the country's smallest national park but also one of the oldest nature reserves in the Baltic States. Established in 2000, it was built upon the foundation of the former Slītere Nature Reserve. Situated on the Kurzeme Peninsula, the park is positioned at Cape Kolka, which marks the end of the Irbe Strait, the southern outlet of the Bay of Riga. One of the park's notable features is its strategic location along the Baltic migratory flyways, making it a haven for birdwatching enthusiasts. Numerous bird species can be observed here, including the Bar-Tailed Godwit, which uses the park's shores as a stopover point during its southward migration from the northern tundra in late fall. Additionally, the Great Gray Owl migrates to Slītere from Russia during the winter months. The park boasts a remarkable diversity of bird species, with practically all of Latvia's avian inhabitants having been spotted within its boundaries. During the spring and fall migrations, it is not uncommon to witness up to 60,000 birds per hour flying over the park. In addition to its avian inhabitants, Slītere National Park is home to a variety of other wildlife. The Gray Wolf, Eurasian lynx, and moose can be found roaming its forests and meadows. The park's rich biodiversity, characterized by a wide range of plant species and biomes, also supports a thriving population of rare insects and snails. Along the park's coastline, Baltic Gray Seals create their nurseries beneath the ice-covered sea during the winter months. This location represents the southernmost point in the world where these seals can be found. Although less common, the rarer Ringed Seal has also been spotted in the area.