Sea Eagle of Lithuania Red Book.

 

On October 08, 2011, Lithuania Post Office issued one stamp features a rare bird species  which listed in the Lithuanian Red Book, White-tailed Eagle also called Sea Eagle or Haliaeetus albicilla.

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)  is a large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. Lithuania's first sea eagle's nest was found in  Čepkeliai Reserve.

The territory of the White-tailed Eagle ranges between 30 and 70 km², normally in sheltered coastal locations. Sometimes they are found inland by lakes and along rivers. Nests in trees growing close to the open areas: wetlands , harvesting, forest parks. They feed on fish, water birds, mammals.

“Nature Heritage Objects of Lithuania - THE STONE OF PUNTUKAS”

The Puntukas Stone is the second-largest, but the best known and visited boulder in Lithuania brought by glaciers from Scandinavia, which covered Lithuania during the last glacial period dating back almost 20 thousand years. 

The boulder stranded on the bank of the Šventoji River in a short distance from Anykščiai. A block of rapakivi (crumbly Finnish granite) measuring more than 7 metres in length and width, almost 6 metres in height (one and a half metres underground) weights 265 tons. It is believed that the ancient Balts performed religious rituals at Puntukas. 

In the middle of 20th century within the years 1942-1943, to commemorate in Lithuania the 10th anniversary of transatlantic flight performed by Steponas Darius and Stasys Girėnas, the sculptor Bronius Pundzius engraved the portraits of the pilots and the quotes from their last will dedicated to the young State of Lithuania turning the stone into a unique monument of culture.

The souvenir sheet consist of one single stamp featured the Puntukas Stone with background of forest. This sheet has designed by H. Ratkevičius. and issued on August 20, 2010.

THE OAK OF STELMUŽĖ - Nature Heritage Objects of Lithuania.

The Stelmužė Oak is one of the most famous and important nature heritage objects of Lithuania. It is the thickest and oldest oak growing in Lithuania and one of the oldest oaks in Europe.The oak is growing in the Zarasai District, Imbradas Subdistrict, the former Stelmužė Manor Park. The remarkable tree reaches 23 metres of height, as much as 3,5 metres wide and spans approximately 13 metres at its widest part. It is believed to be about 1500 years old, although the exact age has not been estimated.

The Lithuania Post issued a souvenir sheet features the Stelmužė Oak on June 5, 2010. Only one stamp has issued as reminder of the importance of nature heritage objects of Lithuania.Designer of stamp is H. .Ratkevičius.Legends and stories say that in ancient time’s people, having gathered around the oak, sacrificed goats, sheaves of rye, and jugs of mead to the god Perkūnas praying for a good harvest and success in hunting.

Despite the fact that over time the oak has lost a part of its branches as a result of drying or breakage, it still looks magnificent and each spring comes into leaf and still attracts tourists. Due to proper care and maintenance, the Stelmužė Oak survived until nowadays.

BuzzNet Tags: Lithuania,Oak

”LITHUANIAN ZOO“

Lithuania Post issued the stamp series depicts the animal of the Kaunas Zoo on May 21,2005. The stamps issued in one souvenir sheet comprises of 4 stamps and designed by E. Paukštytė. The animal depicted are  Giraffe,  Pelican,Electric blue Jack Dempsey fish, and Polar bear.The zoological garden is a unique school of knowledge introducing visitors to natural and cultural values.

On the 1st of July 1938, the Kaunas Zoo was officially opened in the Mickevičius Valley under the initiative of naturalist Professor Tadas Ivanauskas. On the 4th of December 1958, the Kaunas Zoo was granted the name of a Republican Zoo.

The Zoo of Lithuania belongs to the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria and participates in the Programme on Breeding of Rare and Endangered Species. Also, it is a member of the International Zoo Educators Association and the International Species Information System.

The Lithuanian Zoo is a small 15,9 ha park located in the city centre where centennial oaks are growing. The park is decorated by art sculptures. On the opening day, there were only 40 animals that had been brought by Professor Tadas Ivanauskas himself. Some animals were brought as gifts from the zoos of other countries. Nowadays, the number of animals living in the Zoo reaches 2500. More than 10 animal species living in the Zoo are included into the Red List of Lithuania, and more than 100 species are included into the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In the Zoo, the animals of 6 classes are kept: insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammalians.

BuzzNet Tags: Lithuania,Zoo

“FOREST FAUNA AND FLORA” - 2009

Lithuania Post issued the stamp series features the Forest Fauna and Flora from the Red Book of Lithuania on September 11, 2009. The stamps issued comprised of 2 single stamps and depicted Stock Pigeon and Lesser Emperor. Artist designer of stamps is A. Ratkevičienė. 

Stock Pigeon (Columba oenas) is a member of the family of Columbidae, doves and pigeons. The Stock Pigeon constantly inhabits the Curonian Spit and Kazlų Rūda forests in Lithuania. Larger colonies of these birds are distributed in the southern and eastern regions of the country – Dainava, Rūdninkai, Lavoriškės, Labanoras forests where pine trees dominate.
The Stock Pigeon generally inhabit mature pine forests and mixed forests. It nests in a naturally rotten hole in a tree. The eggs (usually 2) are laid in late April/early May. The Stock Pigeon is capable of raising 2–3 broods per season. Most of its food is vegetable.
Cutting down hollow dry trees and mature forests and abundance of pine martens pose the greatest threat to the Stock Pigeon. Since 1970, this species is listed in the Red Data Book of Lithuania, as well as the Berne Convention, Annex III.

Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) is a dragonfly of the family Aeshnidae. It is found in Ignalina, Lazdijai, Molėtai, Prienai, Trakai, Ukmergė, Varėna, and Vilkaviškis districts in Lithuania. The Lesser Emperor usually inhabits the surrounding areas of forest lakes and ponds.
The female of the species insert their eggs into water plants’ stems. Larval development depends on water temperature and usually takes 1–2 years. The Lesser Emperor is most commonly seen from May to August. It feeds on insects.
Water pollution and recreational activities in its natural habitats are major threats to the Lesser Emperor. Since 1989, this species is under protection in Lithuania.

 

BuzzNet Tags: Lithuania,Stock Pigeon,Lesser Emperor