Leaflet The FOOTBRIDGE of FLOODPLAIN FOREST

THE FOOTBRIDGE
OF FLOODPLAIN FOREST
Getting there
Location
Ķemeri, Jūrmala, at the Nature
Conservation Agency Ķemeri National
Park administration building “Meža māja".
Description
During a short walk, the path invites you to
get acquainted the with wet broad-leaved
tree forest – the black alder floodplain forest
on the banks of the river Vēršupīte.
The footbridge is located in a natural floodplain forest of the River Vēršupīte, where
mainly black alder dominates, however there
are also aspens, some oaks and ash-trees.
The flood-plain of the River Vēršupīte, which
provides changing water level, is at the basis
of the swamp forest. There are many dry,
dead trees and decaying trees in different
stages of age, which ensure perfect conditions for diversity of species. Undergrowth is
formed by hazel, bird-cherry, and spindletrees, different plants grow in land cover, for
the growth of which a large amount of
moisture is necessary.
The floodplain forest, for a careful observer,
will be a world full of discoveries in all
seasons. It is fascinating in spring and in the
beginning of summer when glorious spring
flowers are blossoming in the swamp forest
and forest birds can be heard. Also in
summer when the floodplain forest becomes
a shadowy, green kingdom full of life and
mysteries. In autumn when calescent plants
slowly turn yellow and the diversity of moss
and mushrooms can be seen on the stems
of bare trees. Also in winter when wet delves
and the frozen river are covered with snow in
which the patterns of animal feet are outlined.
Almost all woodpeckers present in Latvia
recognise the swamp forest
as a suitable shelter.
Among them also the
symbol of the Park –
white-backed
woodpecker.
Marsh
marigolds
• by train Rīga–Ķemeri–Tukums
up to the station Ķemeri, then
2.5 km long walk up to the path;
• by car on Talsi (P128) or
Ventspils (A10) motorway until
turnabout to Ķemeri, then follow
the main road up to the
“Meža māja”;
Most appropriate
time for visiting
the path
Spring, summer,
Treeautumn.
creeper
This path offers a
special adventure in
spring when the black
alder floodplain forest is covered by
the waters of the overflowed River
Vēršupīte and bright yellow marsh
marigolds are blossoming.
Visiting the path during the summer,
take into account that during this time
a lot of mosquitos can be here.
Type of transport: on foot
Time necessary for visiting: 30 min.
Length: 500 m
Fee: free of charge
Open: available throughout the year
Type: arched
Locality: black alder floodplain forest
Degree of difficulty: easily walked
Covering
Wood footbridges. Average width of
footbridges – 100 cm, minimal –
85 cm. There are several broadenings
(outlook places) – up to 109 cm of width.
Attention! When it is raining wood
boards become slippery. In winter
footbridges may be covered with
snow.
Utilities
Information stands to get acquainted
with sightseeing objects of the path.
Parking space is available.
During the summer season toilets are
available in the information centre
“Meža māja”.
Marking
There is no special marking. The road
leads along wood footbridges, it does
not fork, it easy to orient oneself.
Environment accessibility
For families with baby carriage.
In wheelchair – a companion is
recommended.
More information: phone: 67730078, 67146824,
e-mail: kemeri@daba.gov.lv, www.daba.gov.lv
• by Jūrmala bus No. 6 from
Sloka or by minibus No. 10
from TC Bulduri up to
Ķemeri, bus stop
”Meža māja”.
Information Centre of Ķemeri
National Park "Meža māja”
Offers information on:
• nature paths and routes of ĶNP;
• information on other leisure
options in the territory of ĶNP;
• information on the environmental
education events;
• information on tour guide
services.
The Information Centre is open
from 1 May to 30 September.
THE FOOTBRIDGE
OF FLOODPLAIN FOREST
Bird watching in
the black alder floodplain forest
Thanks to the volumes of dead
wood-pulp, Piciformes and different
hollow-nesting birds are encountered in the swamp forest. The most
appropriate time for visiting the path
of the swamp forest is spring from
the middle of March until the
beginning of June when there is the
largest activity of woodpeckers – at
that time woodpeckers actively drum,
forge hollows and bustle on the
stems of trees. The most appropriate
time for a visiting is morning hours –
in good weather conditions in the
appropriate season you can usually
see even several species of woodpeckers during an excursion. Also,
the hollows of these birds are sometimes located in the direct vicinity of
the footbridge; it is easy to detect
them when woodpeckers are feeding
their young which are very noisy
during feeding. In summer, autumn
and even in winter you will have not
missed anything. During that time
the presence of woodpeckers is not
so striking, however careful observation may lead to success – you
should pay attention to the noise
which is caused by forging and
peeling of the bark. Patience,
attention and silent behaviour may
provide a possibility to see other
bird species as well – tits, wrens
or European robins, sometimes
rather close. Small birds are used
to the footbridge and gladly use it as
a rest platform or observation post.
Wryneck
Middle
spotted
woodpecker
Three-toed
woodpecker
Great
spotted
woodpecker
Observed birds
Here can be seen almost
all (see pictures on the
right) from the nine
woodpecker
species found
in Latvia.
White-backed
woodpecker
Leser
spotted
woodpecker
Red-breasted
flycatcher
Grey-headed
woodpecker
Photos by: Ērika Kļaviņa, Kārlis Lapiņš, Otars
Opermanis, Daiga Segliņa, Ruslans Matrozis.
Drawings: Dmitrijs Paramonovs.
Project „Parks and Benefits” is
part-financed by the European Union
(European Regional Development Fund)
Black
woodpecker