Creation history
*** The reserve was founded on March 29, 1976 by the decision of the Executive Committee of the Leningrad Regional Council of People's Deputies. In 2011, by a decree of the Government of the Leningrad Region, its status was confirmed.
Geography and landscape
The territory of the reserve is located at the northern border of the Izhora plateau, known as the Baltic-Ladoga Ledge. It is a relatively gentle slope up to 2 km wide. On sod-carbonate soils rich in nutrients, "complex spruce forests" have formed — forests rare for the Leningrad region, where spruce is combined with broad-leaved species (linden and maple), and hazel is common in the undergrowth.
There are no reservoirs or watercourses in the reserve. There are several drainage ditches and small swamps in the western part. In the central part there is a system of riding-type marshes, separated from each other by manes and sometimes connected by bridges. The protected area (616.8 ha) contains the sources of several rivers and streams, including the Ruditsa River.
Flora and fauna
The reserve has 314 plant species belonging to 63 families. Two species are listed in the Red Books — the real Venus slipper (Cypripedium calceolus) and the Baltic fingerroot (Dactylorhiza baltica). Among the herbaceous plants there are liverworts, yellow zelenchuk, spiky voronets, and honeydew.
The fauna includes 106 species of birds, 12 of which are listed in the Red Books: white-backed woodpecker, white stork, marsh owl, great curlew, corncrake, common kestrel, common cricket, orekhovka, field harrier, gray shrike, osprey, three-toed woodpecker. A grey crane also lives in the reserve.
Among mammals, there are raccoon dogs, foxes, martens, brown bears, wolves, and badgers. Among the ungulates, moose and wild boar are numerous, and roe deer occasionally enter. One species listed in the Red Book of Nature of the Leningrad Region, Russula laurocerasi, has been recorded in mycobiota
On the territory of the reserve it is forbidden to:
- unauthorized felling of trees and shrubs;
- installation of tents and campfires outside designated areas;
- Landfill facilities;
- pollution of the territory;
- collection of botanical, zoological and mineralogical collections;
- collection and extraction of protected species of plants, fungi and animals.
Violators of the special protection regime are brought to administrative responsibility.
The area of the reserve is 1,599.5 hectares. Coordinates: 59°44'21" north, 29°32'16" east..