Laidevahe Nature Reserve

Laidevahe Nature Reserve
LocationEstonia
Nearest cityKuressaare
Coordinates58°20′09″N 22°48′02″E / 58.33583°N 22.80056°E / 58.33583; 22.80056
Area2,442 ha (6,030 acres)
Established2002
Designated31 March 2003
Reference no.1271

Laidevahe Nature Reserve (Estonian: Laidevahe looduskaitseala) is a nature reserve situated on Saaremaa in western Estonia, in Saare County.

Laidevahe nature reserve protects an area of coastal wetlands, comprising salt marshes, islets, small lagoons, coastal meadows and so on, but also areas of old-growth forest and alvars. The area is internationally recognized as an important habitat for several species of birds, including the white-tailed eagle which has bred in the area since at least 1995. Other notable bird species found in Laidevahe are dunlin (Calidris alpina), barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) and little crake (Porzana parva). The coastal nature reserve is also rich in fish, and in addition is a habitat for both otter and grey seal. As for the flora, several species of orchid grow in the nature reserve - for example, early purple orchid, greater butterfly orchid and lady slipper orchids.