What happened 2 days ago?
I decided to find out how probable it is to see beavers in Matsalu if going on the river in the right time and in the right place. Soon I discovered that it is very much probable – in the course of couple of hours we saw at least half a dozen Beavers crossing the river or climbing up the bank and another half a dozen ones plunging in water with their distinctive tail splash. Some of them might show up twice, but it doesn't matter – it was awesome! We were driving a flat bottom skiff, capable to carry 3 people. Silent electric engine was ideal for such a trip – quacking of ducks and bellowing of bitterns was just WOW!
If interested, come and check out! The only thing to follow is the weather forecast – the evening must be quiet and not too cold. A light shower doesn't matter a bit.
Our contacts: info@naturetours.ee, tel +372 5349 6695
Estonia's nature is fabulous indeed...
Our bird-guide Tarvo Valker spotted the day before yesterday (April 15) the 6th Lynx in his lifetime:
"I was 2 km out of Haapsalu town on an old airplane hangar watching the sunset and then after about 15 minutes the Lynx showed up. It was appearing from the bush and trudging towards the adjacent wood. A little while later an Elk was showing up as well.
Yesterday I was taking stock of Suursoo forests and 4 Capercaillie cocks were lekking in the morning right at the roadside. Further on I could hear the bubbling 'rookooing' voice of the Black Grouse.”
Our bird-guide Mati Kose spotted a Lynx together with our clients:
“Today (09.04), in my 28th naturalist spring it finally happened. I was following a Capercaillie cock lekking on a 5 m high log pile when I suddenly noticed a movement on the glade – obviously the source of these logs. Spotting it with my Leica binoculars I was assured by the pointed snout and snaggy tail, that it was really the only unseen forest dweller – the Grey Wolf!
It has altogether been a luxuriant week here in the South-Western Pärnumaa County in the sense of mammals: two days ago we spotted a Lynx together with the birders from Great Britain. A day before we saw a fresh track of a large Bear. Two times two Elks, a Raccoon Dog, Roadeer, Foxes, a Grey Hare, tracks of Pine Martens, Stoats and numerous rodents, including a Beaver. Today in the morning it was fabulous to read from the trackbook of the pure white snow that an Otter had come out from the river and wallowed on the forest trail. It was obviously enjoying the sunshine and the Spring ;)”
Marika Mann spotted four Elks on Thursday (12.04):
“Last Thursday I was out with Colin to introduce Matsalu. The afternoon trip started with dropping in the Visitors' Centre and just in the moment we were leaving, a White-backed Woodpecker was exposing itself on an old poplar. Colin saw this species the very first time :)
During the boat-trip a great number of White-tailed Eagles, both old and young ones, were circling and flittering on both hands. One of the eagles was reminding a Spotted Eagle. Checking over later from Tarvo he presumed that it was pretty much so. Both Eagle species and also the bellowing call of the Bittern were the very fist time for Colin.
Our big wish was to spot Beavers and Elks as well. For Beavers it was too early – except a great lot of nests and the premorsed 'pencil-trees' we didn't see more. In the evening, heading towards Haapsalu town miraculous things happened. From the bird-watching tower, situated at the flood-plain, we noticed Cranes a couple of hundred meters off – another new experience for Colin. At there was more! Pretty soon two of them performed their mating dance, that was a fresh experience for me as well (OK, from such a short distance). And then, after about twenty minutes Mr. Elk was appearing from behind the bush in a slow pace. That large and gorgeous animal exposed itself quite a long time before it decided to disappear again. After some minutes two more Elks moved off the forest edge towards the flood-plain. We were leaving them there.
It was alost dark already, when some kilometres from Haapsalu a large Bull Elk was staring us right at the roadside – the 4th in a row that night! I need not mention, that for Colin it was the first time to see this species!”
Thank you! :)
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