The Ramsar site of International Importance "Pskovsko-Chudskaya Lowland"

The wetland of international importance. Formed in 1994 in accordance with the principles and criteria of the Ramsar Convention for the study and preservation of unique natural complexes in the area of the Pskovsko-Chudskoye (Peipsi) Lake. It includes a lakeside lowland, coastal water areas along the eastern shore of the Pskov Lake, the Velikaya River Delta with 40 semi-submerged islands, and borders Estonia. The total area is 92.4 thousand hectares, including 22.2 thousand hectares of water area of the Pskovsko-Chudskoye Lake.

The wetland is an important transit and stopping point for the Baltic-White Sea flyway linking nesting sites in the tundra and the north of the forest zone (up to Taimyr peninsula), as well as Western European wintering grounds.

Of particular value to birdsthere are the extensive beds of reed with open inner spaces, rich in floating and submerged vegetation.

Ornithofauna of the region includes 277 species of birds from 16 orders.

Among the main nesting species of birds are: the great crested grebe, the gray heron, the mallard, the common teal, the garganey, the common pochard, the tufted duck, the coot.

Among the rare and protected species in the nesting time, there are: the white-tailed eagle, the osprey, the black-throated loon, the bittern, the black stork, the large spotted eagle, the meadow harrier, the corncrake, the golden plover.