Nature

Flora

The forests, wetlands and cultural landscapes of Dzūkija NP harbour many interesting and rare species, some of them unique for Lithuania or even for the whole of Western Europe. There is an exceptionally wide range of habitats of European importance ranging from inland dunes with sandy grasslands, semi-natural dry grasslands, European dry heaths through open raised bogs, deciduous swamp woods and bog woodlands to Western Taiga and dry lichen pine forests.
In spring the pinewoods perk up with wonderful blue Easter pasqueflowers (Pulsatilla patens), in more fertile places the mountain arnica (Arnica montana) begins tos blossom, and you can enjoy the gorgeous sight of such species as the yellow lady’s slipper (Cypripedium calceolus), the red helleborine (Cephalanthera rubra), or the rattlesnake fern (Botrychium virginianum).
The meadows of the Skroblus and Grūda valleys are true orchid kingdoms – you may find examples of the broad-leaved (Dactylorhiza majalis), the Baltic (D. longifolia), the heath spotted (D. maculata), and the dark winged (Orchis ustulata) orchids all at the same time. Springy fens are abundant in yellow marsh saxifrage (Saxifraga hirculus), and the marsh clubmoss (Lepidotis inundata), the Loesel’s twayblade (Liparis loeselii) and the bog orchid (Hammarbya paludosa) all take perfect shelter in there, too.

Flagship species: Pulsatilla patens, Dianthus arenaria, Cypripedium calceolus, Liparis loeselii, Orchis ustulata, Cephalanthera rubra, Arnica montana, Neottianhe cucullata.

Fauna

The area provides home to the wolf, the lynx, the edible dormouse (Glis glis), the otter (Lutra lutra), the European beaver (Castor fiber) and other mammals as well. Even on a European scale the forests of Dzūkija constitute significant habitats of the goatsucker (Caprimulgus europaeus), the woodlark (Lullula arborea) the black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix), the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), the Tengmalm’s owl (Aegolius funereus), and the crane (Grus grus). In addition, you should not at all be surprised if you come across a black stork (Ciconia nigra), a lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), a honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) or a kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) while roaming this or that part of the national park. In nearly every village situated in the woods, one will hear the sharp cry of the green woodpecker (Picus viridis) or the fluty sound of the hoopoe (Upupa epops). The quacking of the corn-crake (Crex crex) and the simple song of the female quail (Coturnix coturnix) are also a common addition to Nature’s music playing in the fields. Furthermore, dry riverside pastures and sand openings are a paradise for bees and bumblebees, and many rare species of butterflies enjoy the warm, open slopes around rivers.

Flagship species: European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), Otter (Lutra lutra), Lynx (Lynx lynx), Grey Wolf (Canis lupus), Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix), Common Crane (Grus grus), Tengmalm’s owl (Aegolius funereus), Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo)