Pape is the most outstanding birdwatching site in Latvia. Millions of birds that are migrating south pass through the area during the autumn season. This phenomenon is caused by geographical conditions, because the village of Pape is surrounded by the Baltic Sea on one side and Lake Pape on the other, thus forming a narrow strip of land. For this reason, Pape Ornithological Research Centre of the University of Latvia operates here during the autumn migration season.