ANIMAL-WATCHING IN GAUJA NATIONAL PARK

Fox (Vulpes vulpes) Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) Red deer (Cervus elaphus) Photo: Vilnis Skuja

WHY GAUJA NATIONAL PARK IS A SUITABLE PLACE TRACES OF ANIMALS APPROVE THE PRESENCE OF TO WATCH ANIMALS? THEM! In total, 52 out of the slightly above 60 animal (mammals) species Patient and careful nature watchers should look for footprints of Latvia have been registered in the territory of the park. There and traces of animal activities. A careful watcher will spot bushes is a dense network of hiking, cycling, and canoeing routes in the and young deciduous trees, coniferous trees gnawed by deer and park, thus creating access to nearly every spot in the park, except elks, as well as their droppings. Wild boar dug-ups are seen both for the nature reserve zones. Due to agriculture activities, here on fields and in the forest. The wild pigs are looking for acorns, are quiet many open areas to spot the animals more easily. And plant roots, and sometimes underground mushrooms! Animal they are drawn there by the products grown in the farms. Some- droppings are seen on roads, paths, and trails, and thinner grou- times you do not have to walk deep into a forest, as animals can nd covers. Some droppings of mammals reveal not only species, but also gender, age, health conditions, and even their menu! A be seen on roadsides. true world of footprints is seen in winter —– try identifying the animals! It is often the case the animals have made a true road WHAT ANIMALS CAN BE SEEN IN GAUJA NATIONAL instead of a small path leading to the food storage places, parti- PARK? cularly haylage, of farmers. Pen-like gnawed tree trunks, beaver Most of the animal species live a reserved lifestyle and are hard houses, and caves give proof of the presence of beavers. to spot. But not all. Roe deer is often seen looking for fodder on the fields, as well as hunting foxes are found in the Gauja Natio- nal Park. Drivers often see elks walking over the roads. Although BEST TIME TO WATCH ANIMALS there are many stags in the park, these are infrequently seen. An- Species Place to be watched IV V VI VII VIII IX X glers, canoe paddlers, and individual hikers might come across Elk Glades Rutting beavers on the riversides and other water bodies. Even a less ca- time Rutting time reful watcher cannot walk by the traces of beavers — gnawed off Stag Fields, meadows trees, trampled paths, beaver dams, and branches with traces Roe deer Fields, meadows by woodpeckers. However, no one can promise animals will be Wild boar Fields, meadows, riversides met for sure. You might be lucky and come across otters while Fox Fields, meadows paddling on smaller rivers or walking quietly along the riverside. The “big three” — bear, lynx, and wolf are sometimes observed in Wolf Open areas the park, but you might rather see the footprints of lynx and wolf. Lynx Fringes of forests The twelve bat species registered in the park spend the winter Badger Fields, meadows in caves and basements. Bats are best spotted in the evenings Otter Rivers, brooks in late summer when they are feeding on insects close to ponds Beaver Water courses, oxbow lakes or other water bodies. Bats appreciate presence of old and large Bats Riversides, banks of trees, which is their natural habitat. They are observed not only in water bodies, old parks, manor parks, but also in urban environments, such as the vicinity margins of forests, open of Cīrulīši in town Cēsis. There is a 100% guarantee you will see areas, single farmsteads the works by wild boar. And the wild pigs, as well, since there is Yellow colour — chance of seeing an animal is low. a large number of them living in the National Park and beyond. Green colour — chance of seeing an animal is higher in a suitable location.

www.entergauja.com HOW TO WATCH ANIMALS? One shall be patient and attenti- ve. Loud and careless watchers will miss a lot. Animals and traces of them should be looked for in smaller guided groups. The guide will show you things, signs, and small traces, which you will pass by unnoticed. To watch animals, you will need water-proof, comfor- table footwear, warm and modest clothing that does not rustle thus scaring the animals away before you might even have the chance to see them.

MAKE USE OF LOCAL GUIDES TO WATCH ANIMALS! Animal-watching is best undertaken together with a local ranger or nature guide, who are well informed of the animal “habits”, their “agenda”, and places of gathering, feeding, and breeding. The use of services of these persons will be beneficial both to the nature-watchers and the animals, who will not feel disturbed. RECOMMENDATION! There are two Nature Education Centres (NEC) in the Gauja | Amata Municipality | Creative Workshop | Hotel “Karlamuiza National Park:: Tourism Information “Ezeriņi”, stone proceesing, Country Hotel”, Centre “Ezeriņi”, Stalbe, Stalbe rural Kārļi, Drabeši rural territory, NEC “Pauguri”, Līgatne rural Kumadas Street 2, Ieriķi, territory, Pārgauja Municipality, Amata Municipality, territory, Līgatne Nature Amata Municipality, +371 26371928, +371 26165298, Trails, Mrs Anda Andrušaite, +371 64119024, +371 28681083, [email protected], [email protected], +371 26433668. Located on [email protected], www.amata.lv www.ezerini.lv www.karlamuiza.lv (catering to Līgatne Nature Trails, where be announced in advance) | Cēsis Tourism | Holiday house the exposition “Hide-and-seek” Information Centre “Vējiņi”, “Vējiņi”, Straupe | Hotel “Melturi” focused on adjustment of animals Cēsis, Pils Square 9, rural territory, Pārgauja Melturi, Drabeši rural territory, can be visited. +371 64121815, +371 28318318, Municipality, +371 29354189, Amata Municipality, [email protected], [email protected], +371 64129467, +371 29267224, NEC “Vecupītes”, Kocēni rural www.tourism.cesis.lv www.pazemesezeri.lv [email protected] territory, Kocēni Municipality, (also camping “Paegļi”) Mrs Baiba Līviņa, +371 29433353. | Valmiera Tourism | Resort hotel Services: visitors can try and Information Centre | Brewery “Jonathan SPA Estate” guess footprints of animals, and Valmiera, Rīgas Street 10, “Valmiermuižas alus” Amatciems, Amata hiking on the nature trail. +371 64207177, [email protected], and Beer Kitchen Municipality, +371 25606066, http://visit.valmiera.lv/ Dzirnavu Street 2, [email protected], Valmiermuiža, Valmiera rural www.jonathanspahotel.com SERVICE | Pārgauja Tourism territory, Burtnieki Municipality, Information Point +371 20264269 (tours in the G | AdventureRide “Ezeriņi”, Stalbe, Stalbe rural brewery), Pērle 1, Alderi, +371 29269559, territory, Pārgauja Municipality, [email protected], [email protected], | Sigulda Municipality +371 26620422, www.valmiermuiza.lv www.adventureride.eu Tourism Information Centre [email protected], Sigulda, Ausekļa Street 6, www.pargaujasnovads.lv +371 67971335, [email protected], | Leisure park & G | Baltic Wildlife www.tourism.sigulda.lv camping “Ozolkalns” +371 28808440, | Bīriņi Castle Bīriņi, “Saulkrasti”, Drabeši rural [email protected], | Līgatne Municipality Vidriži rural territory, Limbaži territory, Amata Municipality, www.balticwildlife.eu Tourism Information Centre Municipality, +371 64024033, +371 26400200, Līgatne, Spriņģu Street 2, +371 29416661, [email protected], +371 64153169, +371 29189707, [email protected], www.ozolkalns.lv [email protected], www.birinupils.lv www.visitligatne.lv

TAV O !