Walking along the banks of the Nemunas is a great opportunity to watch birds. One of the most common species of waterbirds is the wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos). You will also be able to see the goosanders (Mergus merganser), black-headed gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus, formerly Larus ridibundus), mute swans (Cygnus olor) and common goldeneyes (Bucephala clangula). These birds also nest near the banks of the river, so you must behave quietly and responsibly during their nesting. If you are lucky, you may be able to see one of the most ornate birds in the Baltic States – the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), which feeds on fish and nests in small caves on the slopes of the washed-up shores. When the river is at a lower level, in the sandy and rocky meadows and on the islands you can see the little ringed plovers (Charadrius dubius), common terns (Sterna hirundo) as well as common sandpipers (Actitis hypoleucos), but less often – little terns (Sternula albifrons). In some meadows you may be lucky enough to see the northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus). The grey herons (Ardea cinerea) and great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) are often visible in the area. The sand martins (Riparia riparia) nest in caves of coastal outcrops.