Joniškėlis

History

The Joniškėlis estate, which belonged to Karpis family in known from the 17th century. In 1684 first wooden church was built. The town started to establish itself in the second half of 17th century. In 1736 King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania Augustus III granted rights to organize market in the town. Owner of the Joniškėlis estate, Ignotas Karpis (1780–1808 m.) in his testament noted that part of the income from the estate should be spent for local hospital and school and peasants of his estate were freed from serfdom. Before World War II, around 20% of the total population was Jewish. During the summer 1941, 200 Joniskelis Jews were shot to death by Germans in the Žadeikiai Forest in Pasvalys.

Most-observed species

• Common Wood-Pigeon

  Columba palumbus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  39
• European Starling

  Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  39
• White Stork

  Ciconia ciconia (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  35
• Northern Lapwing

  Vanellus vanellus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  31
• Barn Swallow

  Hirundo rustica Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  30
• Hooded Crow

  Corvus cornix Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  29
• White Wagtail

  Motacilla alba Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  28
• Common Raven

  Corvus corax Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  27