Kemeri National Park is the third largest national park in Latvia in terms of area. It is known for its great biodiversity. The park is characterized by a diverse world of wetlands, including raised bogs, fens and transitional bogs, which cover 24% of the park's area. The Great Kemeri Bog is one of the largest in Latvia. 57% of the park is covered by almost continuous forest. Most of the bogs and forests in the park have been untouched by man for a long time and are home to unique flora and fauna.
A total of 255 bird species have been recorded in Kemeri National Park. The forests in Kemeri National Park are very diverse, ranging from old pine to wet deciduous and mixed forests, and are home to eight species of woodpecker (Great Spotted Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker and Grey Woodpecker), 6 owl species (Tawny Owl, Pygmy Owl, Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, Tengmalm's Owl and Eagle Owl) and species associated with forest-marsh complexes such as Nightjar. The reed beds of Kemeri National Park are home to species such as Great Bittern, Little Crake, Reed Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Savi’s Warbler, Bearded Tit and Red-necked Grebe. Because the bogs have been untouched by man for a long time, they consist of hummock-lake complexes, which allow many bird species to breed, and include open areas that make them important resting places for migratory birds, such as Common Crane and several species of geese.
During the excursion you may see waders, such as Lapwing, Golden Plover, Common Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Whimbrel, Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, and Ruff. You may also see species such as Woodlark, Stock Dove, Great Grey Shrike, Teal, Hazel Grouse, Black Grouse, Common Crossbill, Parrot Crossbill and gulls such as Black-headed Gull, Little Gull, Common Gull and Herring Gull. You may also see birds of prey such as Sparrow Hawk, Common Buzzard, White-tailed Eagle and, if you are lucky, Black Stork.
