BIRDIE

LL-00022

Bird-watching network along the Baltic coast

Common territorial challenge (s) that will be tackled by the project

Since the onset of COVID-19, tourists behavior has shifted towards open-air tourism activities and nature trails, making it essential to adapt to these changes. All partners recognize the importance of creating economically beneficial and sustainable tourism offers to attract tourists and boost local economies through increased tourist visits. The new bird-watching network presents a valuable opportunity to extend the tourism season. The significant presence of migratory birds enhances the entire project region's appeal, offering diverse bird-watching opportunities. This joint bird-watching network will also benefit the residents of partner regions. Project partners are committed to educating the public about responsible and sustainable tourism, highlighting the intrinsic value of nature.

Project objective

The overall objective of the project is to establish a new tourism product — a bird-watching network —by integrating 18 bird-watching sites. This initiative aims to extend the tourism season in the project region, attract more tourists, create new open-air leisure activities for local residents, and generate economic benefits for the area. By leveraging natural resources to develop this tourism offer, the project also intends to address nature preservation topics.

Planned activities

Partners will implement various joint activities to promote the new bird-watching network. These include creating a joint brochure, producing a promotional video, publishing joint articles, organizing a study trip to learn best practices in bird-watching tourism, and hosting two public excursions to showcase the project's results. Additionally, a joint seminar will be held to enhance the professional skills of tourism specialists and foster collaboration between tourism offices. The partners will also participate in exhibitions and carry out joint communication and publicity activities. Liepaja will enhance existing bird-watching sites, establish a new one, and integrate them into the cross-border network. The city will renew three information stands, design new plaques detailing bird species found around Liepaja Lake, purchase binoculars, and install a virtual reality telescope-binocular. Additionally, an educational environmental installation will be created on Zirgu Island. Two educational events will be organized to inform the public about bird-watching tourism, sustainable tourism, and nature conservation. Klaipeda will produce a 360° movie titled “Flight of a Bird” and add a dedicated bird-watching section to their website, www.klaipedosrajonas.lv. They will also create a quiz and puzzle focused on bird-watching, enhance the existing info terminal with new network details, and install an interactive and hologram stand. A publicity campaign will be launched on the portal “We Love Lithuania,” and bird-watching equipment will be purchased. Dienvidkurzeme will upgrade the tourism center in Pape and establish a permanent exhibition and educational area focused on birds and bird-watching. An audio guide will be created, along with the acquisition of bird images and audio recordings of bird calls. Six new information stands will be installed, and related equipment will be purchased. Additionally, a hiking event led by an ornithologist will be organized.

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