WELCOME TO KAMARIŠKĖS MANOR
Kamariškės Manor is a unique place nurtured by different owners through several centuries. The eventually abandoned manor and its park became home to hundreds of species of plants, animals and fungi. Surprisingly, we discovered many rare and interesting species within just 10 hectares of the estate, among which were the tailed amphibian – crested newt, the European fire-bellied toad, and a true rarity of ancient woods – the hermit beetle (Osmoderma barnabita).
We want the Kamariškės Manor to remain home to these and hundreds of other species of living organisms, therefore we are managing the manor’s environment with special care and love for nature. Here you can find an educational trail which will help you get to know the natural and cultural values of the area.
Important. Reconstruction works are underway in the manor estate. It is prohibited to enter buildings that are in a hazardous condition and under reconstruction.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE MANOR
16th century
The Kamariškės manor estate is much older than the manor itself. At the beginning of the 16th century, this area was part of the Suviekas manor estate of the noble family Astikai. It is likely that the manor estate situated on a high point of the border of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania-Livonian Order was fortified and protected the state border. The possibly first mention of the Kamariškės Manor dates back to 1583, when Beata Kmitaitė, the granddaughter of Mikalojus Astikaitis who inherited the Suviekas Manor with the Kumpuoliai and Kamariškės estates from her mother, passed down her inheritance to her husband Martynas Komorovskis. The manor was then named after him (Komoryszki).
17th century
At the end of the 17th century, Kotryna Komarovska, who married Paulius Zaranka-Horbovskis in 1684, inherited the estates of Suviekas and Kamariškės. Through marriage relations, Kamariškės became the property of the Zarankai family for over a century. In 1687, Kotryna Komarovska-Zarankienė gave the Kamariškės estate to be temporarily managed by the Jesuits of Ilukstė for a loan, however the Jesuits used legal loopholes to take over the estate, and refused to return it even after they were offered a higher sum for it. Even though the Zarankai family managed to take back Kamariškės, the Jesuits did not give up, and court proceedings regarding the estate continued throughout the 18th century.
19th century
Suviekas Manor, which belonged to the Zarankai family up until 1800, was distributed among creditors due to the debts of the owners. Kamariškės became the property of the family of Anykščiai judge Antanas Kušelevskis (1770-?). In 1858, Antanas Kušelevskis’ son Liucijanas sold the Kamariškės Manor to Baron Lothar Rheingold von Brincken, who came from the Sederė (German: Schödern) Manor of the Province (Gubernia) of Curonia (1827-1910). The new owner lived in Riga with his family and visited the estate only occasionally, while the manor itself was leased out. Viktoras Krauzė, who bought Kamariškės in 1882, quickly fell into debt and mortgaged the estate to the Vilnius Land Bank in 1887. He lived here for a while, but was unable to repay the loan, and had to give up his ownership rights in 1896.
20th century
In 1901, Kamariškės with ~570 ha of land were purchased by Heinrich von Richter (1856 – 1936) and his wife Mathilda Augusta Dahlwitz, who started producing caramel sweets „karvutė” in the estate. It is known that Mr. Richter loved dogs and horses, and was generous to the people who worked on his estate. He paid his workers well, as well as gave them expensive things as gifts, and celebrated St. John’s Day together. After the start of World War I, Heinrich von Richter and his family moved to Liucinas county (present-day Latvia), where he settled to live with his wife’s relatives. In 1918, the Kamariškės Manor estate was divided into parts under a deed of partition signed in 1918. The centre area of the manor was given to the son Nikolai (1901-1956), and the villages of Lipnikai, Juodeniai, Samaniai, and Rudakiai became the property of the daughter Viera Januškevičienė. During heavy battles that took place at that time, Lithuanians pushed out the Bolshevik army. Kamariškės was one of the last places in present-day Lithuania to be liberated from the enemy. After returning to Kamariškės, the Richter family lived and farmed here up until 1940. During World War II, the last owner of the estate Nikolai Richter and his wife Maria moved to Germany, where they settled in Schleswig. After the Soviets once again occupied Lithuania, a collective farm was established on the estate, the estate itself was heavily overused and gradually fell into disrepair.
2019
The beginning of a new history.
Manor park - a biodiversity hotspot
The history of Lithuanian manor parks often goes back several centuries, therefore the cultural landscape created by man and nature is attractive not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also from a natural point of view. Natural habitats have decreased as a result of human activity, thus preserved and properly managed manor parks in rural and urban areas are becoming an increasingly important haven for biodiversity. Biodiversity is all species of living organisms living in terrestrial, surface water and other ecosystems. Lithuania’s biological diversity consists of over 20,000 animal, 6,000 fungi, and 1,800 plant species.
Cultivated plants, an abundance of old trees, and a variety of natural habitats (ponds, stone piles, meadows, etc.) determine the unique and rich living world of the parks of historical manor estates. Most such parks have already become biodiversity hotspots and home to many different species of fungi, plants and animals. In order to preserve the biological diversity that has developed in this area and improve its conditions, we have divided the Kamariškės Manor estate into three zones: Natural, Representative and Economic priority zones.
The natural priority area is dedicated to the restoration and maintenance of biological diversity. This area is rich in both individual trees important in terms of biodiversity, as well as in other objects of natural value (natural forest or swamp fragments, springs, perennial meadows, natural and artificial water bodies). For increasing biodiversity in the natural priority zone, we leave dead wood, provide hiding places and wintering grounds for small vertebrates, mow meadows only after the meadow plants have bloomed and meadow birds have left their nests, as well as form shallow ponds for amphibians.
The health of a tree
Among the most beautiful natural monuments of the manor estate is the mountain elm (Ulmus glabra). It is believed that the elm has been growing in the manor park since the 18th -19th century as a decorative tree. According to people’s memories, the lady of the manor – Heinrich von Richter’s wife Augusta Mathilda liked to spend her time sitting under the elm. This elm has been given the status of natural heritage, therefore it is prohibited to damage this tree, break its branches, trample the ground or dig in the root area under the tree.
Trees of exceptional value require extra attention and specific care. In order to determine their condition and choose appropriate measures to improve it, it is necessary to consult with qualified specialists – dendrologists and arborists. Modern technologies enable to quite accurately assess the condition of the tree trunk without damaging it. One such method is the acoustic tomography analysis, which allows to look inside the tree trunk, graphically depict any existing damage or rot, and assess the overall condition of the tree.
An acoustic tomography assessment of the condition of this elm was carried out in 2021.
Signs (colours): green – wood partially unchanged (healthy); yellow – thin wood (initial stage of rot is very likely), red – rot is very likely, wood is spongy, there may be cavities.
Dead wood gives life!
Dead wood (deadwood, broken trees, fallen trees) is a living environment, food and temporary hiding place for many different organisms, therefore dead wood in Kamariškės Park is left untouched, if it is not necessary to remove it. Dead old oak, ash and linden trees are home to rare and protected insects such as the deathwatch beetle (Xestobiium rufopvillosum) and the hermit beetle (Osmoderma barnabita).
Rotting fallen trees are a food source for decomposers, fungi and microorganisms. Toads, lizards, and mollusca hide in moist, rotten trees.
In today’s context, it is also relevant that even dead trees „lock” organic carbon in their trunks, thus contributing to mitigating climate change. Decades pass before coarse wood finally breaks down (mineralizes). As organisms break down organic matter, carbon dioxide is slowly released to the atmosphere, while formed nutrients are absorbed by the soil and used by other plants.
Look closely at this fallen tree and try to count the different species of plants, fungi and animals. Share a message about the importance of dead wood on social media with your friends!
Fire-bellied toads and newts have found a home in Kamariškės Manor!
Water bodies are an integral part of the landscape of historic manor parks, providing not only aesthetic value, but also shelter for waterfowl, amphibians and various invertebrates. The ponds intended to preserve biological diversity are smaller, shallow, and installed in areas of the Kamariškės Manor Park less visited by people.
Amphibians are an extremely important part of nature, however as many as a third of all amphibian species are threatened with extinction worldwide. 13 species of amphibians live in Lithuania, 5 of which are listed in the Red Data Book of Lithuania. The main reason for the extinction of amphibians is lack of suitable habitats for them. To breed, amphibians need shallow, fast-warming ponds without trees and free of predatory fish that could eat amphibian tadpoles.
Properly developed ponds become home to pool frogs (Pelophylax lessonae), common water frogs (Pelophylax esculentus) and grass frogs (Rana temporaria), as well as green and natterjack toads (Bufotes viridis, Epidalea calamita), and the rarer garlic toad (Pelobates luscus). Kamariškės park ponds are also inhabited by tailed amphibians – smooth newts (Lissotriton vulgaris) and protected crested newts (Triturus cristatus), which look like small fairy-tale dragons.
After the restoration of ponds in the park, European-protected fire-bellied toads (Bombina bombina) have also settled here, performing spectacular concerts when the ponds heat up, up until mid-July. Their voices resemble pan flutes.
Where do frogs hibernate?
As the weather cools down, amphibians begin looking for secluded, warmer and safer places to hibernate, usually close to their usual habitats. They often choose the hollows of fallen trees, rodent or mole burrows, piles of branches or compost, water bodies, cellars, and even dead rotting wood of large diameter.
You can see cone-shaped piles of branches and soil on the banks of ponds in Kamariškės Park. These are artificial hibernation spots designed to preserve amphibian populations. Mice have burrowed tunnels under these piles, while the rotting wood emits heat. Amphibians in the park looking for a safe place to hibernate no longer have to go on a long and dangerous journey to find one.
Hibernation spots for amphibians are built a little further away from the water body, but in an open and slightly higher area, so that the rising water would not flood them. A 0.5 m deep bed is dug in the selected area, stumps, branches and stones are placed in it, and 30 cm of local soil is poured into it. The same materials and soil are also placed on top. This is how an up to 2 m high amphibian hut is built from layers of wood, stones and soil.
Welcome to the insect hotel!
How would the world change if there were no insects left on Earth? Scientists warn that the number of insects in the world has decreased by a quarter in the last 30 years. According to some researchers, when the insects disappear, so will we. Each of us can protect and save insects! For example, by mowing grass less often, leaving more dead wood in parks and forests, or setting up an insect hotel.
Ladybugs, lacewings, solitary wild bees, bumblebees and parasitoid wasps, butterflies, all species of predatory beetles, centipedes, ichneumonids, hornets, etc. can live in insect hotels. After a while, when the contents of the insect house rot, some insects leave while others move in, therefore the inhabitants of the insect hotel are constantly changing, just like in a real hotel. Some feed in it, others hide for a while or hibernate, and others reproduce. Warmth-loving insects will live in a hotel placed in a sunny location, while arthropods who like moist and cool places will live in a hotel placed in the shade.
Insect hotels help preserve biodiversity that is disappearing due to human activities. These hotels also attract beneficial insects, which help naturally fight pests in your garden or yard. Predatory insects control the population of aphids and plant-eating larvae. Insects aerate and loosen the soil, enrich it with nutrients, and break down biological waste. And, of course, insects are crucial to plant reproduction since they pollinate as much as 85 percent of the world’s plants.
Old trees – a home for a thousand species
Old trees are not only a decoration for the park, and a historical and cultural heritage of the country, but also a unique habitat for many living organisms. Some of their lives are closely related exclusively to old trees, therefore their survival depends on the fate of these trees.
Oak trees reach maturity at about 200 years old, and can live for a thousand years or more! For living organisms, a thousand-year-old oak is much more valuable than a young one hundred-year-old oak. An old tree has more deadwood, dead branches, and torn bark. The more of them, the more organisms the tree can host. Scientists have calculated that up to a thousand species of organisms can live, feed, or temporary land on old oaks, e.g., lichens, mosses, mushrooms, mollusca, insects, birds and small mammals. Some of them are found only in very old trees.
For 3-4 years, the larva of a hermit beetle feeds only on the rotting wood inside living, hollow oaks, but only in trees whose trunks are warmed by the sun. Adult beetles live during the summer and for a very short time – only about a month. During that time, they almost stop feeding completely and can fly only a short distance, usually about 100-200 meters. Their most important goal is to reproduce – males release biologically active substances – pheromones, the smell of which help females find them. This smell is quite strong – even humans can smell it. If you smell peaches in an oak grove on a hot summer day, look out for a hermit beetle!
Where do bats hibernate?
Kamariškės Manor Park is full of mature hollow trees and various types of buildings where bats can hide. Chiropterologists (scientists who study bats) found 3 bat species from the 14 species of bats living in Lithuania in the park of the Kamariškės Manor: common noctule (Nyctalus noctula), northern bat (Eptesicus nilssonii) and Nathusius’ pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii).
During the day, these animals hide in tree holes, hollows or bat houses specially made and propped up for them. At night, these little animals fly out to hunt insects flying over bodies of water and open grass areas. The bat is a true glutton, hunting up to a third of its body weight in insects during the night. During a night’s hunt, one bat can catch up to 5 thousand mosquitoes!
When winter approaches and the weather cools, some species of bats migrate to warmer climates: Southern Germany, France, the Netherlands. Other species that are more tolerant of cooler weather stay and hibernate near their summer habitats: in cellars, caves, tunnels and other underground places. We cleaned out and repurposed the old basement of the manor to create suitable conditions for hibernating bat species.
A good place is never empty!
While walking around the park, you may have spotted old trees with many different hollows in them. Have you ever wondered how they came to be?
A tree hole is a cavity made by woodpeckers. Woodpeckers are excellent builders, making 5-7 tree holes during the season, but using only one for nesting. Dendrocopos woodpeckers make round tree holes, while Dryocopus woodpeckers make oval-shaped ones. Various birds (woodpeckers, rollers, hoopoes, swifts, some owls, tits, starlings, redstarts, jackdaws, sparrows, flycatchers, nuthatches), bats, mice, squirrels and other animals make these tree holes their home.
A hollow is an empty cavity formed in a tree trunk or between branches. It mostly occurs in old or dead trees of various species. A hollow forms due to natural physiological loads on the core of the tree. These hollows can form due to the effects of rain, fire, wind, heat, thunderstorms, as well as due to the activity of insects, fungi, and bacteria. They also often form in place of old branches that have fallen off an old tree. Hollows are often deepened and expanded by the animals that have settled in them.
Tree holes and hollows change over time – the cavity is constantly increasing due to decay caused by fungi and bacteria, and the activities of animals that live in them. As the cavity expands, its smaller inhabitants move to new holes, and their old place is occupied by larger inhabitants. Over a number of years, the cavity expands so much that the tree eventually breaks due to no longer being able to withstand strong winds. Remember, a good place in nature will never be empty! So let’s protect old trees with holes and hollows.