Description

The Nature Park includes Lake Engure and the lands appurtenant to it, as well as the seashore of the Gulf of Riga from Mērsrags to Engure and the forests between the shore and the lake. By means of versatility and number of endangered species of plants and birds, the ornithological preserve of Lake Engure (1957) is one of the richest territories in Latvia. About 200 bird species nest in the preserve, amongst them the white tailed eagle and corncrake, existence whereof is endangered everywhere in the world. However the shore of the Gulf of Riga near Engure is one of the main molt spots for the golden-eye birds. During the spring and autumn migrations, here you might see around 900 cranes, and in spring – about 250 of the whooper swans and 170 of the Bewick’s swans, and in autumn – about 800 tundra bean geese and 1000 greater white-fronted geese.

In respect to biotopes, the greatest value of Lake Engure is the vast areas of fresh-water biotopes and the calcareous grass bogs. The surroundings of Lake Engure are the floristically one of the richest territories in Latvia – it stands out with great versatility of species (860 vascular plant species), as well as with a very important criterion for the value of the plant kingdom – with its natural qualities. Lake Engure is a habitat mainly for rudd fish and tenches, less of the perches and pikes. There are 14 species of amphibians and reptiles, including, common spadefoot, running toad, copperhead, and sandlizard, which are on the list of Latvian Red Book.