In 1996-1999 eleven large fish pond complexes totalling about 8700 ha were investigated. About 160 species of birds have been recorded in Lithuanian fish ponds that are amongst the most important wetlands in Lithuania for nesting, moulting and staging waterbirds. Fish pond complexes supported about 20% of the individuals of the total estimated Lithuanian population of Little Grebe, about 40-50% of Red-necked and Black-necked Grebes, almost all breeding Whooper Swans in Lithuania, about 20% of the individuals of the total estimated Lithuanian population of Greylag Goose, 40% of Shelduck, 30% of Tufted Duck, more than 20% of Gadwall, Pintail and Shoveler. Certain ponds were possible breeding sites of Ferruginous Duck, a globally threatened species. The large fish pond complexes are the most important in Lithuania staging sites of Black Storks and the principal stopover sites of wildfowl with up to 30 000 staging swans, geese and ducks being daily recorded in some ponds. These man-made wetlands are amongst the most important stopover sites for many species of waders with up to 8000 Lapwings, 2600 Ruffs and 1400 Dunlins recorded in some ponds. Several large ponds complexes regularly support concentrations of Whooper Swan, White-fronted Goose, Gadwall, Shoveler, Pochard and Lapwing, exceeding the 1 % Ramsar threshold. New forms of aquaculture being brought about by the market economy may affect the key waterbirds habitats in the large fish ponds.
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