Kurgalsky peninsula, Lipov lake. A photo

The Kurgalsky peninsula, located in the Leningrad region, has unique natural resources, most of which are listed in the Red Book. But not only vegetation and fauna are its pride. Here, even the climate, albeit slightly, but different - spring comes earlier, and the summer is warmer and longer.

Location of the peninsula

The Kurgalsky peninsula is located in the southern part of the Gulf of Finland and divides the two lips - Luga and Narva. In the north of the peninsula there is Cape Pitkenen-Nos, in the south the Luga River flows. Despite its small size, it accommodates two lakes and even a mountain 43 meters high, and more than 40% of its area is occupied by the state reserve, which is under protection.

The climate in this area is temperate marine, which means a fairly cool summer with an average temperature of +15 and a relatively warm winter at 5 degrees below zero. Due to the fact that here a large part of the land is under protection, tourists have not yet flooded the Kurgalsky peninsula. How to get here for recreation, you can find out by looking on the map. The peninsula is in Kingiseppsky district of the Leningrad region, just 120 km from St. Petersburg. First you need to go along the Tallinn highway to Ust-Luga, and then 4 km to the north. If you get by train, then from Warsaw railway station to Kingisepp, and then - by shuttle bus to the reserve.

On the territory that is not included in the reserve, there are such settlements as Lipovo, Vyb'e, Ust-Luga, Ostrov and others. The indigenous population of the peninsula is represented by the Finno-Ugric peoples (Izhora and Voda).

Reserve

The reserve includes not only the mainland, where Kingiseppsky district, Kurgalsky peninsula, Lipov lake is located, but also small islands around it and the water area of the Gulf of Finland, Luga and Narva Bay, which make up a total of 60,000 hectares of protected state lands.

Not only 250 species of birds live on these wetland lands, some of which are included in the Red Book, but also mammals, including seals and seals. More than 700 species of plants grow in these places, about 30 of which are considered endangered and rare.

The Kurgalsky peninsula is a nesting place for peregrine falcons, golden eagles, black-eared loons, ringed seals and gray seals. Among the waterfowl there are swans, such as the mute, the klikun, the tundra, as well as the geese, the geese, the crested duck, the mallards, the pecans, the turpens and many others.

Founded back in Soviet times, the zakaznik was only in the year 2000, received regional importance. In the old days on the peninsula received patches Heroes of the Soviet Union, honored cultural figures, scientists and veterans. Nowadays, in addition to the indigenous population, dacha and relatives of those who received land for their services to the country live here.

In the reserve, the ecosystem is inherent to it, due to the fact that there are not a number of industrial enterprises here, although a military test site located on the southern side of the peninsula can be dangerous to its flora and fauna.

Vegetation of the peninsula

Most of the territory of the reserve is occupied by forests, in which grow oaks, elms, maples, limes and ash trees. The sea side is dominated by spruce and pine forests, in the swampy part - birch and aspen.

On the islets that are located on the Kurgal reef, grow a Baltic botnet, three-colored violets, sandy hairs, Ruprecht lapwings and many others. Among the rare species there are the Swedish dendens, the marsh glutton, the wild garlic, the tuberculosis, the lobelia of Dortmann and others.

Among this vegetation there is a large number of amphibians - grassy, sharply pointed and lake frogs, gray toads, newts, vipers, snakes and spindles. The Kurgalsky peninsula, which is allowed to rest only in specially designated places, boasts a large number of berries and mushrooms that can be collected for the population for personal needs.

Inhabitants of the forest

Due to the closed territory of the forest in the reserve are full of living creatures. Among 40 species of mammals, spotted and noble deer take a special place, which were brought back in 1975 for breeding. They are well established and now are an integral part of the state reserve.

Also, the Kurgalsky peninsula is famous for the fact that brown bears, roe deer and garden dormouse live here. Among the birds are such rare "celebrities" as the stone-candle, Dunlin, the river cricket and the Chegrava. Many of the birds have nesting grounds here, but even more of them use the peninsula for rest before going to the winter hut.

In coastal places, there is an ecosystem that is different from forests.

Lipov Lake (the Kurgalsky Peninsula)

A small sea is what the locals call it. This is due to the fact that a fairly large lake has salt water, as it is connected by a channel with the Gulf of Finland, from which water enters.

In the water of this lake, both freshwater and marine species can live simultaneously. Among them are grouper, lamprey, pike, zander, ide, sea roach and eel.

The most protected area of the reserve is its coastal zone, since it is here that the seal and seals rookeries are located on the rocks. Fishermen perfectly know these places as excellent for successful fishing, which can be conducted from the middle of July to the middle of April.

Lipov Lake is a favorite tourist destination. In specially designated places you can put tents, build bonfires and cook food. The pristine purity and beauty of this place has a good effect on the holidaymakers, as there is never any garbage left behind, broken trees or trampled vegetation.

Kurgalsky peninsula, Lipov lake especially - not yet developed by tourists zone, therefore its main guests are amateur fishermen, although no less famous place for fishing is Lake Beloe.

Lake Beloe

It is located in the middle of the Kurgalsky peninsula and occupies only 3.2 square meters. Kilometer. It is also famous for its abundance of fish, which attracts fishermen as a magnet. The forests around the lake are rich in berries and mushrooms, so lovers of quiet hunting often come to the peninsula for their favorite hobby.

In the forests you can meet a wild boar, elk, fox and other animals that are familiar to the Leningrad Region, but hunting in the zakaznik is prohibited. Quite special is the ecosystem of local marshes.

Marshes of the Kurgal Peninsula

A large swamp has the name for nothing. This is a real complex, consisting of marsh vegetation and a large number of animal species. Among the berry plants here are predominantly cloudberry, cranberry and blueberry. The mosses that grow here are sphagnum.

Since the peninsula's locality was largely unaffected by human activities, relic junipers and 96 other plant species listed as protected species as endangered have survived.

Protection of the Kurgalsky Peninsula

Due to the fact that in 1975 a significant part of the peninsula was recognized as a unique ecosystem of international importance, the sanctuary founded there became a closed territory for human activities.

Since 2000, the importance of the reserve has become a regional one, so strict control of a few tourists ensures the survival of many plants, animals and birds. Those wishing to spend their holidays in nature can do this in specially equipped places, and mushroom pickers, fishermen and berry lovers are invited to the peninsula, provided all the rules of conduct on its territory are observed.