Kaņieris is a seriously overgrown and
shallow seaside lake. Its water level was
adjusted several times during the 20th
century so as to obtain agricultural lands.
The lake has 14 islands, among which nine
are natural and the rest are artificial and
aimed at attracting nesting water birds.
Lake Kaņieris has one of the richest
diversities of birds in Latvia. An
ornithological nature reserve was
established here in 1964. In 1989, the lake
was placed on the list of major birding
locations in Europe, and in 1995 it was put
on the list of the Ramsar Convention. At
the southeastern shore of the lake is a
boating facility (only rented boats are
permitted on the lake). A bird-watching
tower was erected on the Riekstu
peninsula in 2009
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Services
