Estonia is selected one of the 30 world's most dramatic locations for bird migration

Book 'Migration Hotspots' by British author, Tim Harris, takes a look at 30 of the world's most dramatic locations for bird migration. 

To Estonian readers by Tim Harris:

Estonia has been chosen to appear among the elite of migration locations for its amazing spring and autumn passage of birds, involving millions of wildfowl and waders flying along the coast between the Baltic Sea and breeding grounds on the Arctic tundra. 

Penijõe tower / Kaarel Kaisel

And also for the almost unbelievable scale of the songbird movement through the country each autumn. Of course the wetlands around the Estonian coast are also among the final spring destinations for many ducks, herons and warblers. 

Barnacle Geese (Branta leucopsis) / Kaarel Kaisel

Common Granes (Grus grus) / Ivar Ojaste

And that same coast is superb in winter for its congregations of wildfowl, including the Steller's Eider, now considered a Vulnerable species by BirdLife International. Estonia is a crucial country for birds and should be on every birder's itinerary.

Steller's Eider (Polysticta stelleri) / Jari Peltomäki

These range from raptor 'bottlenecks'  such as Veracruz in Mexico and the Strait of Messina in Italy to places like Beidaihe in China and Point Pelee in Canada, where spectacular arrivals of songbirds take place. Find out more in 'Migration Hotspots'.

Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) / Jari Peltomäki

Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) / Remo Savisaar

The book covers each of the world's major avian flyways and features stunning photography throughout. The geographical reasons for the importance of each hotspot are explained, with a summary of the different birds that pass through and the best times of the year to see them. An introductory chapter that summarises birds' migration strategies is also added. n Estonia the special attention is focused to Matsalu National Park, but brief overview is also given about other important key areas, such as Sõrve, Kabli, Põõsaspea and Mehikoorma. Estonian texts are compiled with the assistance of Tarvo Valker and Marika Mann, illustrative photographs were purchased by Estonian Nature Tours.

The book will be published in August and will first be available at the British Birdfair 2013 at Rutland Water. It will be available from bookshops and online from Bloomsbury.