Forest Diary: Fish & Mammals

While exploring the Amata River and its surroundings, you may come across a fish that does not originally belong to these waters — the rainbow trout. This species is not native to Latvia, but it is closely connected to the local landscape through human care and fishery traditions. At the Kārļi fish farm located on the Amata River, rainbow trout are raised alongside other Latvia fish species, including various salmonids. Young fish are then released into rivers across Gauja National Park and other waterways of Vidzeme, supporting and strengthening fish populations. Recognizable by their silvery body and characteristic pinkish stripe along the side, rainbow trout are strong swimmers adapted to cold, oxygen-rich waters. Although they do not naturally fit into the river ecosystem, their presence reflects ongoing efforts to maintain healthy and vibrant river life in the region, alongside the rich Amata River wildlife that also includes forest mammals and the red deer habitat.

While walking through the meadows and open landscapes of Kārļamuiža, especially around the Meadow & Orchard Trail, you may notice a sudden, swift movement in the grass or along the field edges. The Pelēkais zaķis is a common inhabitant of this area, thriving in the mosaic landscape of meadows, shrubs, and old orchard surroundings, which are part of the diverse Amata River wildlife. This slender animal is built for speed, with long, powerful hind legs and distinctive long ears that detect even the faintest sounds. Its coat blends naturally with the surrounding grasses, making it almost invisible when still. Hares are most active during dusk and night, spending the day resting in shallow depressions hidden in the grass. They are also frequent visitors to the old apple orchards, especially attracted to young apple trees, whose tender shoots and bark are a favorite food source. In addition to the hares, Kārļamuiža is home to various forest mammals, contributing to the rich biodiversity of the region. Although they live here in large numbers, encounters with the Pelēkais zaķis are usually brief — a quick dash across the meadow, and it disappears back into the Kārļamuiža landscape, much like the elusive red deer that find their habitat here, and the thriving Latvia fish species in the nearby waters.

While walking along the forest trails and the steeper slopes of the Amata valley near Kārļamuiža, you may come across subtle signs of one of the largest forest mammals in the area — the red deer. Although rarely seen directly, its presence can be noticed in tracks, broken branches, and grazing marks along forest edges and clearings. The red deer is an impressive and powerful animal, with males (stags) carrying large, branching antlers that are shed and regrown each year. Adults can weigh over 150 kilograms, making them the largest wild herbivores in the region. Their coat changes with the seasons, from a rich reddish-brown in summer to a more muted greyish tone in winter. These animals prefer red deer habitat in forested landscapes with nearby open areas for feeding, making the mixed environments around Kārļamuiža an ideal setting. They are most active during early morning and evening, feeding on grasses, leaves, shoots, and bark. Although red deer live in the area, encounters are usually rare and fleeting. More often, you will sense their quiet presence rather than see them — a reminder that even large animals can move silently through the forests of the Amata valley, which is also home to various Latvia fish species.

While walking through the meadows, old apple orchards, and forest edges of Kārļamuiža Wild Park, you may suddenly notice a light, graceful movement between the trees. The roe deer, one of the most common forest mammals in the area, often lives quietly in these habitats, especially along forested slopes and near overgrown orchard landscapes. Roe deer are relatively small and elegant, with slender legs and a reddish-brown coat in summer that turns greyish in winter. Adults typically stand about 70–75 cm at the shoulder and weigh between 20–30 kilograms. Males can be recognised by their short antlers, which are shed and regrown each year. These animals prefer a mosaic landscape — a mix of forest, meadow, and shrubland — making the surroundings of the Amata River wildlife habitat an ideal home. They are most active during early morning and evening hours, feeding on grasses, leaves, buds, and young shoots, often returning to the same feeding areas. Although roe deer are quite numerous here, they remain cautious and alert. Most often, you will only catch a brief glimpse before they disappear silently into the forest. Still, their presence is felt everywhere — in tracks, feeding signs, and the quiet sense that you are sharing the landscape with one of its most characteristic inhabitants, alongside the diverse Latvia fish species that thrive in the nearby waters.

While walking along the Amata trail in Kārļamuiža Landscape Park, you may sometimes notice narrow tracks in the grass or freshly turned soil near a small hillside. These may be signs that a rudā lapsa (Vulpes vulpes), the red fox, has recently passed by. Although it is rarely seen, the forest often quietly reveals traces of its presence. The rudā lapsa (Vulpes vulpes) is the largest and most recognisable of all fox species. It has a slender body, a pointed muzzle, and a long, bushy tail that helps it keep balance while running and changing direction. While its fur is usually reddish, the colour can vary from pale sandy tones to darker shades of brown. Foxes are remarkably adaptable animals and are among the fascinating forest mammals that can thrive in forests, meadows, mountains, and even cities. In the forests of the Amata River Valley, the rudā lapsa often finds shelter on steep slopes or in burrows dug beneath tree roots. Each fox usually maintains several dens within its territory, using them for resting or raising its young. Red foxes are most active during dusk and at night when they leave their dens to search for food. However, in quiet places like those found along the Amatas taka, where they feel safe, they may sometimes be seen during the day. They are skilled hunters and play an important role in nature by helping control populations of small rodents. The diet of the rudā lapsa is very varied; it feeds on mice, hares, insects, amphibians, bird eggs, and many small animals, but it also enjoys berries and fruits. Occasionally, they may take advantage of easy food sources near human settlements. Foxes have excellent hearing—they can detect the squeak of a mouse from more than one hundred metres away. They are also agile and fast, able to run up to 50 km/h, leap high obstacles, and even climb onto low tree branches. In Latvian folklore, the fox is often portrayed as clever and cunning. Perhaps not without reason—it truly is one of the most resourceful animals of the Latvian forests. So if, while exploring nature along the trails of Kārļamuiža, you notice a quick reddish shape moving between the trees, you may have just caught a glimpse of one of the most secretive inhabitants of the Amata Valley—the rudā lapsa (Vulpes vulpes). Experience the serenity of nature at Gaujas nacionalais parks, where these fascinating wildlife in Latvia roam, including the majestic red deer that thrive in their natural habitat.

While walking along the trails by the Amata River in Kārļamuiža Wild Park, you will often notice clear signs of beaver activity — freshly gnawed tree trunks, fallen trees, and branches scattered along the riverbanks. In some areas, you may spot their lodges or small channels leading into the water, revealing the quiet presence of these remarkable forest mammals. The beaver is the largest rodent in Europe, with a strong, heavy body, short legs, and a broad, flat tail. Adults can reach up to 1 metre in length and weigh over 20 kilograms. Their dense, waterproof fur and webbed hind feet make them perfectly adapted to life in and around water, allowing them to swim with ease and remain active even in colder conditions. Beavers are known as natural engineers. By cutting down trees and building dams, they reshape the riverbanks and create wetlands that support a wide variety of plants, insects, birds, and other animals, including various Latvia fish species. Along the Amata, their activity is especially visible, as the river’s forested edges provide ideal conditions for feeding and building. They live in family groups and are mostly active during the evening and night, which is why they are rarely seen directly. However, their presence is unmistakable — visible in the landscape itself. As you walk along the Amata trails, the beaver’s work becomes part of the experience, showing how wildlife, including the red deer habitat nearby, continues to shape this valley in quiet but powerful ways.

If, deep in the forest, you ever notice large round paw prints in the snow or feel that someone might be watching you from the undergrowth, a lūsis may be nearby. The lūsis, the largest wild cat in Europe and the only wild member of the cat family living in Latvia, remains mostly unseen, as it is a true keeper of the forest’s secrets. An adult lūsis usually measures about 80–105 centimetres in body length and weighs around 10–16 kilograms. It has long powerful legs, wide paws that work like natural snowshoes, and a short tail with a black tip. The most distinctive feature is the tufts on its ears – as if the forest had given it small antennas to catch every rustle. The fur of the lūsis ranges from greyish to reddish with dark spots that help it blend perfectly with forest shadows. During the day, it often rests in a quiet hidden place, but at dusk and during the night, it goes hunting. Its main prey includes roe deer, hares, and other small animals, making it a significant part of the Amata River wildlife. Lūsis prefer large forests with dense undergrowth and little human disturbance, making areas like the Amata River Valley and Kārļamuiža Landscape Park ideal for their habitat. They often choose remote and difficult-to-reach places to hide – ravines, thick vegetation, or areas with fallen trees. In the Amata River Valley, a lūsis may find perfect shelter among steep ravines and forested slopes where nature itself provides safe hiding places. In Latvia, the lūsis is a protected species and an important part of the natural forest ecosystem, contributing to the balance of nature by regulating populations of other forest mammals, including red deer habitat. For those looking to explore nature in Gaujas nacionalais parks, the presence of the lūsis adds an element of wildness to the experience. And although encountering a lūsis in the forest is a rare piece of luck, simply knowing that it quietly walks through Latvia’s forests makes those woods feel a little more wild, enhancing nature's serenity.

If, at dusk on the slopes of the Amata River Valley, particularly along the Amata trail, you hear a quiet rustling or notice fresh digging marks in the soil, an āpsis (Meles meles) may be nearby. This calm but hardworking forest resident is a notable member of the Amata River wildlife, spending much of its life underground in carefully built burrows. During the day, this forest mammal is rarely seen, but at night, the forest becomes its true world, allowing you to explore nature in its most authentic form. The āpsis (Meles meles) is a medium-sized mammal with a sturdy body, an elongated head, and short, powerful legs perfectly suited for digging. Its body length ranges from about 60 to 90 centimetres, and it usually weighs between 7 and 15 kilograms, although before winter it can reach up to 20 kilograms. The most distinctive feature is the black-and-white striped pattern on its head, resembling a mask painted by nature. Āpsis are remarkable builders, digging complex underground burrow systems with several entrances, tunnels, and separate sleeping chambers. These burrows are often used for many years and can eventually become entire underground neighbourhoods. Most of the time, the āpsis is active at dusk and during the night, when it leaves its burrow to search for food. Its diet is surprisingly varied – earthworms, insects, amphibians, small animals, as well as fruits and berries. In many ways, the āpsis is a true forest omnivore that always finds something worth eating. When autumn turns colder, the āpsis prepares for its winter rest. From late autumn until spring, it spends much of the time in its burrow, conserving energy and living off the fat reserves gathered during summer. In Latvia, the āpsis (Meles meles) is a fairly common species. In the Amata River Valley, particularly in the Gaujas nacionalais parks area, it often chooses the steep forested slopes for its burrows, where the rugged terrain and dense vegetation provide excellent shelter. Additionally, the Kārļamuiža Landscape Park is another area where the āpsis can thrive. So if, around Kārļamuiža, you ever hear the ground quietly rustling in the evening, it may be a reminder that beneath the forest floor there is an entire hidden world – home to one of Latvia’s most diligent diggers, the āpsis, and a testament to nature's serenity, alongside various Latvia fish species and the red deer habitat that also enrich the region.

While walking along the Amata trail of Kārļamuiža Landscape Park beside the Amata River, you may sometimes notice footprints in the sand or a smooth slide mark leading from the riverbank into the water. These could be signs left by the ūdrs (Lutra lutra), the Eurasian otter, a fascinating example of the Amata River wildlife in Latvia. Although it is rarely seen, this animal feels perfectly at home in the clean, lively waters of the Amata River valley – making it a perfect spot to explore nature and observe various forest mammals. The ūdrs has a long, flexible body with short legs and a strong tail. Males can reach 60–90 cm in body length and weigh up to 12 kilograms, while females are slightly smaller. Its thick, highly water-repellent fur allows the animal to leave the water almost dry even after swimming. The otter is perfectly adapted to life in water, with webbed paws and a long tail that aids in steering while swimming. It moves equally well on land and in water, but most of its food is caught beneath the surface of the river, which is home to various Latvia fish species. The clear waters of the Amata River provide an ideal habitat for the ūdrs, which prefers small and medium-sized rivers with forested banks where the water remains at least partly open even during winter. Usually, one otter occupies a stretch of river several kilometres long, rarely moving far from the water. Fish form the main part of the otter’s diet, but it also feeds on frogs, crayfish, molluscs, and various aquatic insects. An adult otter may eat more than a kilogram of food a day, making it an active and skilled hunter. In Latvia, the ūdrs is considered a fairly common species, although it is rarely observed due to its secretive lifestyle. Most often, its presence is revealed by footprints on the riverbank, sliding tracks in snow, or small piles left along the water’s edge. So, while walking along the trails of Kārļamuiža Landscape Park beside the Amata River, you might find evidence that an otter has already passed by quietly and unnoticed. The river, within the broader context of Gaujas nacionalais parks, remains one of those places where the rhythms of wild nature still flow just as they have for centuries, offering a sense of nature's serenity.

While walking along the Amata River near Kārļamuiža in late autumn, you may witness a remarkable natural event — salmon, one of the notable Latvia fish species, moving upstream against the current. The salmon is included in the Latvian Red Data Book and is a strictly protected species, reflecting its ecological importance and sensitivity to environmental changes. This powerful fish spends most of its life in the sea but returns to its native rivers to spawn. During this journey, it overcomes strong currents and obstacles, pushing upstream to reach its breeding grounds. Its presence in the Amata River is a clear indicator of clean, oxygen-rich water and a healthy river ecosystem, which supports not only the salmon but also the diverse Amata River wildlife. Within the Gauja river basin, including the Amata, this natural cycle still continues. In late autumn, when water levels and clarity are suitable, careful observers may spot salmon making their way upstream, showcasing the vibrant life found in this region. These moments are rare and easy to miss, yet they reveal one of nature’s most extraordinary migrations — a quiet, determined journey that has taken place in these rivers for centuries, alongside the habitats of forest mammals and the red deer that thrive in the surrounding areas.

If, in an old forest at dusk, branches begin to sway gently and a fluffy creature with a bushy tail moves quietly among them, it might be the Lielais susuris (Glis glis). From a distance, it slightly resembles a small squirrel, though calmer and equipped with large dark eyes perfectly adapted for night life. This remarkable creature is the largest species of dormouse in Europe and a very rare sight in Latvia, especially in the Amata River valley along the Amata trail. Here, among the diverse Amata River wildlife, Lielais susuris measures about 14–18 cm long, with a bushy tail almost as long as its body. Its fur is soft, grey to silvery grey, with a lighter underside that gives it an elegant, almost aristocratic appearance. Its round ears and sensitive nose are always ready to detect a tasty nut or berry, making it a true gourmet among forest mammals. This animal prefers old deciduous forests, particularly in river valleys where ancient hollow trees are common. Areas like the Gaujas nacionalais parks and Kārļamuiža Landscape Park provide ideal habitats. It moves through the branches with remarkable agility, as if there were a secret nighttime highway in the forest canopy that most people never notice. During the day, Lielais susuris usually sleeps in tree hollows or nests, but in the evening, it emerges to search for food, indulging in an endless buffet of nuts, seeds, berries, and fruits, especially hazelnuts and beech mast. When autumn turns cold, Lielais susuris disappears from the forest stage. From around October until May, it hibernates underground or in a safe shelter, surviving on the fat reserves accumulated during summer. It has one of the longest hibernation periods among European mammals. In Latvia, Lielais susuris is extremely rare and occurs mainly in Vidzeme, particularly in the old forests of the Amata River valley. The species is protected and listed in the Latvian Red Data Book because suitable old forests are becoming increasingly scarce. So if on a quiet summer evening you hear a soft rustling in the branches above, it may not be the wind. It could be one of Latvia’s most secretive forest inhabitants continuing its nightly wanderings — Lielais susuris — inviting you to explore nature and discover the serenity of its habitat, as well as the diverse wildlife in Latvia, including red deer habitats and various Latvia fish species.

While walking along the Amata River near Kārļamuiža, especially in autumn, you may sense the presence of another remarkable fish — the sea trout, one of the notable Latvia fish species. Like the Atlantic salmon, it is included in the Latvian Red Data Book and is a specially protected species, closely tied to clean and naturally flowing rivers. Sea trout spend most of their lives in the sea but return to rivers to spawn in the same waters where they were born. Strong and agile swimmers, they move upstream against the current, searching for suitable spawning grounds with gravel and stony riverbeds. Their coloration blends well with the river environment, making them difficult to spot. The Amata River, teeming with wildlife, including forest mammals, provides an ideal habitat for this species. Here, sea trout find both spawning areas and the conditions needed for survival. Although rarely seen, their presence is a strong indicator of a healthy river ecosystem. This quiet and persistent migration is part of a natural cycle that has continued in the Amata valley for centuries — a hidden but essential rhythm of life in these waters, which also serves as a red deer habitat.