NATURE OF THE KIZHI SKERRIES

The Island of Dolgiy

The island is located 4 km to the west of the Island of Kizhi.

The linden forest in the southern and central parts of the island is of special value. The height of the trees of different age is up to 20-25 m.

The linden forest at this latitude is the northernmost in Russia and it has been preserved here since the warmer Atlantic period thanks to the soil rich in shunghit and mild climate of Zaonezhye. The soil cover is very diverse with well-developed undergrowth of mountain ash, honey-suckle, red current, dog rose and spurge olive.

The island is very rich in the bird fauna, and like the plant species those related to broad-leaved or mixed forests dominate the bird species: blackbird, icterine warbler, wood warbler, whitethroat. Regular nesting of lesser spotted woodpecker, rare in Karelia and occasional nesting of some species of titmouse are of special interest.