Astrakhan Reserve. Tips for tourists

If you want to enjoy the beauty of the nature of the Volga region, visit Astrakhan. Attractions of the region are rightly headed by a unique object of nature protection - the Astrakhan Biosphere Reserve. Its territory of more than 60,000 hectares is attributed to lands of international importance. The area of the protection zone is about 31,000 hectares, the water area is more than 12,000 hectares.

The Astrakhan Reserve was established in 1919 by the decree of Lenin himself to study the Volga delta and protect its unique nature. The reserve is located in the delta of the Volga on numerous islands, separated by ducts. The reserve is divided territorially into three separate sites: Damchik, Trekhizbinsky and Obzhorovsky.

The unique and interesting composition of the reserve's flora is determined by the constantly changing level of the Caspian Sea and the Volga that flows into it. On the territory of the reserve grows 293 species of various plants, including water. Among them there are plants listed in the Red Book (for example, chilim or lotus). Every year in the lotus blooming season these places are visited by many tourists.

The fauna inhabiting the Astrakhan Reserve is also quite diverse. About 30 species of mammals live on the territory of the nature protection complex. They are muskrats, water birds, otters, raccoon dogs. American mink have so bred in favorable natural conditions for themselves, that the population size has to be restrained artificially.

In addition, the Astrakhan Reserve is famous throughout the world for its birds. Their population consists of more than 230 species. These are ducks, geese, gulls, other birds. Swan-mute, almost disappeared during the creation of the reserve from the Volga delta, has now restored its numbers, its population reaches 4-5 thousand copies.

Today, on the basis of the reserve, scientific work is being carried out to study the nature of the Volga delta. The Caspian ornithological station, engaged in the study of rare birds, is known all over the world. On the territory of the reserve works its own museum of nature.

Astrakhan Reserve before others began to develop the direction of ecological tourism. Currently, 13 tourist routes for children and adults with cognitive orientation have been developed, as well as special ecological excursions designed for amateur ornithologists. On the cordon of the reserve are built special hostels-hotels to accommodate tourists, which are offered tours from 1 to 3-4 days. On the routes of tourists are transported by motor boats.

Those wishing to visit this unique place can be recommended to go there in the period from the middle of summer to the first days of September. This is the time of the flowering of the lotus, which is a magnificent sight. In the excursion program of the reserve there are special botanical excursions for lovers of beautiful and rare plants.

Fishing and hunting in Astrakhan are rightfully famous throughout the country. Many species of birds living in the delta of the Volga make hunting for them the best in Russia. The most popular is hunting for a duck or goose.

Another popular area is fishing and underwater hunting. To catch fish weighing 10-15 kilograms in these parts is not a rare luck - such specimens are caught quite often. In April-May and July-October, the maximum biting, and on ponds there are many birds. Therefore, these months are the height of the hunting and fishing season. A lot of specialized bases are engaged in organizing such a holiday. For a successful trip, it is better to take care of purchasing a document such as a permit for hunting. This is a registered document granting the right of one-time or seasonal hunting in certain areas, indicating the type and quantity of game allowed to be shot. Such permits allow keeping records of hunters and preserving the flora and fauna of hunting farms.