The Astrakhan region is located in the Volga region, in the southeast of the East European Plain. This is a temperate zone of deserts and semi-deserts. The landscape is predominantly represented by a gently undulating desert plain. There are lakes, zones of sands and mounds.
In the lower reaches of the Volga Delta, the Astrakhan Nature Reserve is located, located on the territory of three districts at once:
- Ikryaninsky;
- Kamyzyaksky;
- Volodarsky.
General characteristics
Initially, at the time of its creation in 1919, the Astrakhan Nature Reserve occupied a total area of 23,000 hectares. After some time, the water level in the Caspian Sea fell to a critical level, and the territory of the reserve increased almost 3 times. To date, the total area is 67.9 thousand hectares, including the sea area of 11.2 hectares.
Climatic features
The climate of the Astrakhan reserve can be described as sharply continental. That is, in winter there is a sharp decrease in atmospheric temperature, and in summer the thermometerrises to +30 °C and above. Summer is not characterized by heavy rainfall.
Fauna
The Astrakhan Nature Reserve cannot boast of an abundance of animals. Wolves and wild boars, field mice and foxes, otters and baby mice live on the territory. Of the cold-blooded animals in the reserve, you can find a patterned snake and lizards.
In the early 40s of the last century, a large number of raccoon dogs were released on the territory. In 1954, muskrats were introduced to the park, they also quickly adapted and live to the present.
The original animal of these places is a wild boar. They are attracted to reed and cattail linings, but sometimes the animals have a hard time when the flood forces the wild boars to the river banks.
But there are a lot of insects in the park. There are about 1250 species of them here, from spiders to dragonflies. There are many leaf beetles, crickets, cicadas, caddisflies, ground beetles and other insect species in the reserve.
Feathers
Unlike the animals of the Astrakhan Reserve, a lot of birds live in the park. There are about 280 species here. And, most importantly, 72 species are rare. About 40 species nest in the park on a permanent basis, 23 remain for nesting during the migration period - usually arriving from India, Iran and Africa.
Here lives a lot of birds listed in the Red Book. These are white cranes, small cormorants, curly pelicans and Egyptian herons. Most of all in the reserve are swans, ducks, geese, herons andpelicans.
Representatives of the water element
One of the main functions of the protection of the Astrakhan Reserve is the protection of the ichthyofauna. And the park boasts a huge species diversity of fish. About 50 species of fish are found in the waters of the reserve.
From sturgeons - sturgeon, beluga. Of the herring varieties - the Volga and the black-backed. Of the carp species - bream, asp, carp, vobla and sabrefish. There are also the most familiar to our region - pike and perch, smelt and gobies, pike perch and catfish.
Flora
The plants of the Astrakhan Reserve are diverse. Everything depends entirely on the intensity of the Volga River, the Caspian Sea and other water bodies. To date, there are about 300 species of vegetation. Blackberries, willows, sedges and creeping ranunculus can be found almost throughout the territory.
Conventionally, the vegetation of the protected area is divided into:
- Secondary, that is, those that appeared against the background of constant mowing of grasses and grazing animals. This is ground reed grass and tamarix.
- Aquatic, growing near water bodies. These include reed, susak, cattail, water lilies and others.
- Background.
- Forest.
- Meadow.
But the most important decoration of the Arkhangelsk Reserve is the lotus field. There are two theories about the appearance of this flower in the park. According to the first version, lotus seeds were brought by migratory birds. According to another version, these flowers are native and have been growing here for millions of years.
Ecotourism
On the territory of the Arkhangelsk Reserve, you can visit an educational excursion or do more active sports.
Here you can go through several eco-trails. The most recent one was opened in 2016, it is called the "Retrieved Delta". All paths are equipped with comfortable wooden decks. Along the way, tourists will see 4 islands, where completely different biotopes and animals are presented. Perhaps you will be lucky and be able to see the white-tailed eagle, the elm and the hobby. At the beginning of the journey, vacationers are taken on motor boats, then the walking part of the program (1.7 kilometers) is provided.
Ornithological tours are provided for lovers of birds. Travelers are taken to places of mass concentrations of birds, depending on seasonal migration.
Walks on water transport
In the warm season, you can go kayaking. The journey starts at the Damchik site and ends at the observation deck near the lotus field. Non-swimmers and children under 12 are not allowed on this trip.
For people who like a more relaxing holiday, boat and trimaran rentals are available.
Where to stay
For the services of vacationers in the biosphere reserve, the "Expedition House" is provided - this is a residential building, divided into two parts. Each of which can accommodate up to 12 people. Each part has 2 toilets and 1 shower.
You can also stay in a house called "Methodological Center". In this housethere is even an equipped kitchen.
The newest building for vacationers is the Ornithologist's House (2 floors). It provides for increased comfort conditions, with a sanitary unit in each room.
The fastest way to get from Astrakhan to the reserve is by private car, through two water crossings - and you are already in the village of Damchiksk. You can also get to the park by water, but you will have to spend 4 hours on the way.
