 Source of image: www.nbrb.by
|
| THE BOGS OF ALMANY
Specially protected natural reservations constitute important national heritage of the Republic of Belarus. These include 96 state nature reserves embracing an area of 837.8 thousand hectares.
The state nature reserve "The Bogs of Almany" has been established between the Stsviga and Lva rivers that are the tributaries of the Pripyat river. It is a large complex of bogs with an area of over 94 thousand hectares that has been preserved to our time in its virgin state. Sand islets and ridges covered with forest are scattered all over the bog. A great number of lakes add unique color to the landscapes.
The significance of "The Bogs of Almany" for wildlife conservation has been internationally acknowledged. It secures the existence of a number of species that are threatened with extinction in Europe, including European Mink (Mustela lutreola) and Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra). There are 12 plant species growing within the confines of the nature reserve that have been entered into the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus: Swamp Willow (Salix myrtilloides), Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica), Meadow Clary (Salvia pratensis), Mastagon Lily (Lilium mastagon), Floating Watermoss (Salvinia natans), Bog Violet (Viola uliginosa), and others. 27 rare wild animal species inhabit vast expanses of the Bogs of Almany. They include animals, such as Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) and Lynx (Lynx lynx); birds, such as Bittern (Botaurus stellaris), White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Crane (Grus grus), Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) and Blue Tit (Parus cyanus); and reptiles, such as European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis) and Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca).
Great Grey Owl and Oblong-leaved Sundew are impressive representatives of unique fauna and flora of the nature reserve.
Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa). It is a large long-winged owl that has a wingspan of 130-158 cm. Its brownish grey plumage is patterned with tan spots and streaks. A large facial disk with dark concentric circles and a black spot ("the beard") beneath the beak are its distinctive features. Its eyes and beak are yellow, and talons are black. Vast marshlands are their habitat. This species is nidicolous and nonmigratory. Mostly active at twilight and at night, it rarely hunts by day. The owls settle in the eyries abandoned by diurnal predators and occupy stump cavities. Defending their eyrie and nestlings, they become extremely belligerent. About 50-100 pairs of these wonderful birds have survived in Belarus.
Oblong-leaved Sundew (Drosera intermedia). It is a 5-8 cm tall perennial herbaceous plant with a basal rosette. The sundew is an insect-eater. Dense hairs with shimmering drops of a sticky fluid cover the surface of its leaves and enable the plant to trap insects. This species has small flowers arranged in racemose inflorescence. The sundew reproduces by seed. In Belarus it is much more common in the Palessie lowland.
N. A. Yourgenson
Research Supervisor.
Head, Information Resources and Scientific Developments Marketing Section,
Institute of Zoology of the Belarusian National Academy of Sciences, Ph.D.
Text from the official flyer “Synopsis” of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus | |
| Date : 30.12.2005 |
| Metal : Ag 925 |
| Diameter, mm : 38.61 |
| Weight, g : 33.63 |
| Mintage, St. : 5000 |
Minted by :
RSE "The Kazakhstan mint of NB RK", Ust–Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan |
Design :
S.Nekrasova |
 | 
 |
Ebay-Statistic
(Prices in Euro):
| Year |
Count |
Ave
rage |
Min. |
Max. |
| 2006 |
44 |
32,71 |
19,50 |
54,52 |
| 2007 |
26 |
33,23 |
16,00 |
74,33 |
| 2008 |
10 |
42,93 |
12,75 |
69,55 |
| 2009 |
12 |
39,38 |
23,00 |
55,00 |
| 2010 |
17 |
38,56 |
27,00 |
58,00 |
| 2011 |
3 |
45,79 |
41,16 |
49,45 |
|
This site as PDF
