Cormorant and Heron Colony

The White Sea–Baltic bird migration route runs through here, and millions of birds of various species fly along it every year. Between Juodkrantė and Avinas Hill, in an old-growth forest, lies Heron Hill, which got its name from the nearby colony of grey herons (Ardea cinerea) and great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo). It is one of the largest breeding colonies of these birds in Europe and has been known since the early 19th century. It is hard to say exactly when the herons settled around Juodkrantė, since more than two centuries ago they were already quite a common part of everyday life. Historical sources recall the long-legged birds' struggle with the great cormorants that appeared in Juodkrantė around 1803. The cormorants invaded the grey heron colony opposite Amber Bay. Driven out, the herons began to settle in their present location – on Heron Hill – and the cormorants followed them there. At one time the Prussian authorities allowed the local lagoon fishermen to shoot the black birds, so they were mercilessly wiped out in Juodkrantė and, having become rare visitors, no longer nested here. Only after long decades, in 1974–1978, did a new wave of cormorants reach the spit. Today about 3,000 pairs of great cormorants and about 200 pairs of grey herons breed in the colony every year. The first cormorants appear on the Curonian Spit in the first half of February, followed later by the grey herons, and by early March the colony comes to life. The birds share out and repair old nests and build new ones, and before long the pairs begin to incubate. In autumn everything empties and the birds' clamour falls silent until the next season. On the edge of the great cormorant and grey heron colony there is an observation platform, so travellers have an excellent chance to take a closer look at the birds' life and learn more about the colony and its birds.