The Kerzhenets Reserve

The national reserve “Kerzhensky” is situated 70 km to the north-east from N.Novgorod, in Zavolzhje lowlands on the territory of Semenov, Bor and Voskresensk regions. At aroundthe middle of the river’s course, on the left bank in an area covering more than 46.000 hectares is one of the most beautiful natural reserves in Russia – “Kerzhensky”. It was begun in 1993 with the aim of preserving the present state of biological diversity and different natural habitats of the Southern taiga.

Within the reserve, you will come upon a good deal of rare animals numbered among the pages of the Red Book of Breeds of animals in Russia. More than 150 kinds of birds and 40 types of mammals live here.

It’s difficult to watch the animals, because they can see and the people approaching much earlier. But sometimes a curious squirrel or a weasel can get nearer to know the cause of their disturbance. You can see the beavers’ dams and the others’ “feeding boards” and if you are very careful and inconspicuous you’ll be lucky to watch them.

And it will be a breathtaking sight if you have an opportunity to watch birds of prey hunting black kites or bald eagles.

Down the Kerzhenets you might see herons. When herons fly they curve their necks in a very peculiar way. You’ll be very lucky if you manage to watch the cranes dancing when male and female birds jump very high and spreading their wings trip along and bow to each other.

What a gaily-colored birds’ variety you’ll enjoy watching: ducks, teals, snipes, cuckooes, black birds, chaffinches and what not. In spring one might hear black-cocks and wood-grouses courting.

Among the habitat of the reserve there are brown bears, minks, faxes, badges, lynxes, elks and sometimes very careful otters.

Beautiful butterflies flutter from one flower onto another, some of them are very rare numbered among the pages of the Red Book, as well some rare plants.

40 peat bogs are naturally preserved in the reserve, the biggest are Vishenskoye and Maslovskoye.

More than 600 plants out of 1300 growing in the N. Novgorod region have been collected in the area of the reserve. The whole territory of the reserve is mostly covered with pine trees.

The Kerzhenets reserve is a scientific and environmental institution the main aim of which is to preserve and study typical and unique nature of the southern taiga of the basin of the river Volga with all its biological variety of flora and fauna.

For better preserving of Zavolzhje nature it’s planned to found a biosheric reserve on the basis of “Kerzhenets”.

The Kerzhenets reserve also hosts the ecological centre "Zhuravushka" whose expert staff will introduce you to the reserve’s riches and the subject-themes of the excursions around the reserve.