Location: The Ramsar site is located in Leningrad Region, between the village of Bolshaya Izhora and the town of Sosnovy Bor. To the north, the site borders the Gulf of Finland.

The site is important as a staging area for large populations of waterfowl including many threatened species of birds. There are 17 species entered in the Russian and Baltic Region Red Data Books occurring at the site. Anatidae are the most numerous among the migrating birds. Three species of swans (Cygnus cygnus, C. columbianus and C. olor), four geese species (Anser anser, A. albifrons, A. erythropus and A. fabalis) and 16 species of ducks have been observed. About 25,000 swans and 100,000 dabbling and diving ducks have been observed at an area of 10 sq. km of shallow waters between the villages of Krasnaya Gorka and Bolshaya Izhora in April-May. There also occur 20 species of Charadriidae, six species of Laridae and four species of Sternidae. The total number of Larus ridibundus, L. argentatus and L. canus may reach 200,000 in spring.

The site comprises a shallow sea bay with reeds, sand and stony beaches.

Biological/Ecological notes: The site includes shallow waters of the Gulf of Finland with sand and stony beaches and reed beds. Terrestrial habitats are covered by mixed forests. The vegetation is represented by the alder Alnus glutinosa forests, patches of spruce, pine and various mixed forests with birch and aspen.

Hydrological/Physical notes: The terrace is slightly tilted towards the sea and is composed of Palaeozoic clays, overlain by Pleistocene marine sediments. The soils are predominantly of the soddy and podzolic types. The salinity of water in Gulf of Finland is not so high as that in the Baltic Sea, and the water warms up in summer. Full freezing occurs from late November to late April. Heavy storms may occur in autumn. Tidal variations in water level are small. The area has a temperate marine climate with mean air temperatures of -5°C in January and 15°C in July. Cyclones from the Atlantic have a pronounced effect on the weather. Annual precipitation is about 700 mm, mostly falling during warm months. Snow cover is about 40 cm deep and persists for about 120 days.

Human Uses: Fishing is carried out within a part of the open water area.

Conservation Measures: The site is protected as the Lebyazhy Nature Reserve ('zakaznik'), established at the regional level. Recommendations were made (1997) to strengthen protection at the site. These include a ban on ploughing of lands, drainage works, mining for sand in the coastal areas, house construction and all projects which would alter the landscape. Likewise, recommendations were suggested to restrict hay-making and grazing along the coast, use of pesticides, use of motor boats during the spring and autumn migration periods (from the break-up of ice until 25 May and from 15 September until 31 October) and all kinds of disturbance to staging waterbirds. Other recommendations are to allow maintenance fellings in the forests, collecting of berries and mushrooms, sport fishing with a rod at a distance from the waterfowl staging areas, scientific research and limited eco-tourism. There is also a proposed increase of staff of the Lebyazhy Nature Reserve to five rangers.

Adverse Factors: As the adjacent areas are highly-populated, disturbance to staging waterbirds is the major threat.

Most recent Ramsar Information Sheet/datasheet: 1997; Please see Introduction for more details.