LEBYAZHYI ISLANDS
The Lebyazhyi Islands (or the Swan Islands) are a paradise for ornithologists. The nature reserve is located at the bird migration route from Europe to Africa and Asia.

The reserve is very attractive to waterfowl thanks to its shallow waters and the abundance of plant and animal food.
LEBYAZHYI ISLANDS
The Lebyazhyi Islands (or the Swan Islands) are a paradise for ornithologists. The nature reserve is located at the bird migration route from Europe to Africa and Asia.

The reserve is very attractive to waterfowl thanks to its shallow waters and the abundance of plant and animal food.
In the nineteenth century, the territory drew scientists' attention for the first time, and in 1949 the archipelago became a protected area. In the following decades, the area of the reserve increased along with its protection status.
Lebyazhyi Islands Nature Reserve includes a small archipelago in the southeastern part of the Karkinitsky Bay of the Black Sea and the shallow waters surrounding it.
Lebyazhyi Islands Nature Reserve includes a small archipelago in the southeastern part of the Karkinitsky Bay of the Black Sea and the shallow waters surrounding it.
In the nineteenth century, the territory drew scientists' attention for the first time, and in 1949 the archipelago became a protected area. In the following decades, the area of the reserve increased along with its protection status.
The boundaries of the Nature Reserve on Yandex Maps
Map of the territory
Map of the territory
The boundaries of the nature Reserve on Yandex Maps
How to visit the nature reserve
The Lebyazhyi Islands are an important area for many species of rare birds that can be seriously disturbed by human presence.

This is why the islands are open exclusively for scientific tourism. If you would like to visit the islands for scientific purposes, please feel free to contact us by phone or email.
Lebyazhyi Islands by numbers
Lebyazhyi Islands by numbers
Number of islands: 6
Islands surface area: 0,52 sq. km
The length from southwest to northeast: 4,8 km (3 mi)
The height above sea level: average — 0,3–0,5 m, maximum — 1,2 m
Shallow water surface area: 95,6 sq. km
The depth of the bay:

  • around the islands — 0,3-0,7 m
  • 50 meters or more northwest from the islands — 1- 3 m
  • in some spots — 1-1,7

Bird area of international importance
Bird area of international importance
The reserve is home to 266 bird species of 18 orders.

  • 39 species are listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation,
  • 14 species are included in the ICUN Red List.
The wetlands of the nature reserve are protected under the Ramsar Convention
The wetlands of the nature reserve are protected under the Ramsar Convention
The reserve is home to 266 bird species of 18 orders.

  • 39 species are listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation,
  • 14 species are included in the ICUN Red List.
Fauna
The fauna of Lebyazhyi Islands Nature Reserve is made up of diverse zoobenthos communities, different fish species, birds and mammals.

The European green toad (Bufotes viridis) is the only amphibian species on the territory of the reserve. The two reptile species inhabiting the territory are the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) and the Caspian whipsnake (Dolichophis caspius).
Fauna
The fauna of Lebyazhyi Islands Nature Reserve is made up of diverse zoobenthos communities, different fish species, birds and mammals.

The European green toad (Bufotes viridis) is the only amphibian species on the territory of the reserve. The two reptile species inhabiting the territory are the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) and the Caspian whipsnake (Dolichophis caspius).
Read more
Flora
The islands are home to 84 embryophyta species of 27 families.

The bay floor is covered with submerged vegetation, which includes 7 species of flowering plants and algae.
Flora
The islands are home to 84 embryophyta species of 27 families.

The bay floor is covered with submerged vegetation, which includes 7 species of flowering plants and algae.
Read more
Photos used on this site belong to (photo credits): S. Ledenkov, I. Sikorsky, L. Moroz, V. Kostrov, N. Litvinyuk, D. Rutyanov, S. Alyomov, M. Atamanenko, G. Prokopov, D. Voinov, Y. Timofeev, Y. Shumlyaeva, M. Rozanov, V. Anzylov, V. Zyuzin, A. Gromov, Y. Zhuravleva, E. Nekadimova, N. Krymsky, K. Polyanskaya, A. Rybintsev, A. Mishin, A. Dmitrieva and naturerussia.travel
Photos used on this site belong to (photo credits): S. Ledenkov, I. Sikorsky, L. Moroz, V. Kostrov, N. Litvinyuk, D. Rutyanov, S. Alyomov, M. Atamanenko, G. Prokopov, D. Voinov, Y. Timofeev, Y. Shumlyaeva, M. Rozanov, V. Anzylov, V. Zyuzin, A. Gromov, Y. Zhuravleva, E. Nekadimova, N. Krymsky, K. Polyanskaya, A. Rybintsev, A. Mishin, A. Dmitrieva and naturerussia.travel
Contacts
298650, The Republic of Crimea, Yalta, Sovietskoe, Dolosskoe road, 2.

+7 365 423 30 50
+7 365 437 88 41

zapovedcrimea@mail.ru
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If you have an emergency, witnessed a fire, illegal dumping or other law violations, dial:

+7 365 423 30 50
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+7 978 901 56 70
(Deputy Ranger Service Director)