The first four trips have been incredibly successful. For example, during 8-day trip together with our bird guide Tarvo Valker clients have observed 15 Black Grouse, 7 Capercaillies, 6 Hazel Hens and 7 species of Woodpeckers - including superb views of the White-backed, Three-toed and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers. Plus several Nutcrackers, lots of dancing Cranes, Steller`s Eiders, Parrot Crossbill and for the most of birdwatchers as a bird of the trip: stunning Pygmy Owl settled at the evening sun.
1 Sat (6th April) TALLINN, to Saaremaa island
After landing at the Tallinn airport late afternoon, we headed towards Saaremaa island, which is quite a long drive, but on the way we had some time for birding as well. First, it is important to mention, that the fields were still covered with thick snow – as our guide said, it has been an exceptionally late spring here.
Before catching the ferry, we had a brief stop at Kasari river (Matsalu National Park) where there was some open water. We had superb views of 4 White-tailed Eagles – all of them nice adults. In the open water we spotted several pairs of Goosanders and Goldeneyes. Next stop just before catching the ferry was Tuhu bog. On the nearby fields we saw our first Cranes and at the bog we had a really nice view of the single male Black Grouse. After he flew we noticed that there were also 7 females in the nearby tree tops. Next we drove to Saaremaa island, setlled down at Loona Manorhouse and enjoyed a georgious meal before heading to bed.
2 Sun (7th April) SAAREMAA ISLAND
We awoke to find strong winds with occasional snowfalls but this did not deter us from heading to Cape Undva for the Steller`s Eiders, pausing to see a Great Grey Shrike sitting on the wires.
It was really cold at the coast but, despite that, the bay was full of seaducks, especially nice numbers of Goldeneyes and Long-tailed Ducks. It was really special to see them in hundreds all together. We found several Smew, Red-breasted Mergansers and a lovely group of Velvet Scoters. The biggest bonus was to see a male Parrot Crossbill which landed briefly on the rocks. We also saw several Steller`s Eiders flying in the distance, but none of them seen swimming. Eventually we found our first male swimming but it took off before everybody had a proper look at it so we decided to have lunch and come back the next day, when the weather is hopefully better.
In the afternoon we went to Viidumäe forest. It was still windy, so we didn`t have any luck with Nutcrackers here, but we got our first brief views of the Black Woodpecker. It was obvious that it was not owling weather so we drove around on the fields to pick up some migrants. We had several groups of Lapwing, many Skylarks, Yellowhammers and the first Curlew.
3 Mon (8th April) MATSALU NATIONAL PARK, to central Estonia
We drove in the morning to Cape Undva again and just before reaching to the coast we found a nice group of 25 Waxwings feeding on the juniper bushes. After some searching we found 2 male and one female Steller`s Eiders swimming at the coast, about 200 meters off-shore. This was much better than yesterday and everyone felt pleased with their views before we headed to the harbour for our journey to central Estonia.
After lunch we went to a wooded meadow to search for the woodpeckers. The weather was a bit windy still, but much better than yesterday. A few whistles by our guide and the first Grey-headed Woodpecker responded quickly. After few minutes we had really good views of the bird perched on the tree top. As we have really early start tomorrow, we drove to our new guesthouse in Central Estonia, had another absolutely superb meal and went to bed.
4 Tue (9th April) TOOSIKANNU & SAARJÕE
We started our mammal safari with the open truck at 5.30am. It was sunny morning and although it was -12 degrees Celsius it didn’t feel that cold as there was no wind. The first half hour was rather quiet. After that we got a brief view of a Hazel Hen flying over the forest track, then fairly quickly found two young Elk at the edge of the forest. They were really tame and we had bins on them for several minutes. We made a stop in a forest clearing to have warm coffee and could hear a Black Woodpecker drumming. After a few minutes it flew in and landed just next to our truck - a male Black Woodpecker sitting in the early morning sun - what a beautiful moment!
We returned to the guesthouse for breakfast then with such good weather headed back out for more birding. The first hour produced several Hazel Grouse with at least 5-6 individuals. It is really unusual to have so many sightnings in a day of this shy game bird. Nutcrackers were quiet again but we managed to see our first White Stork.
After lunch we headed to the Saarjõe Nature Reserve for some forest birding. After few stops we heard drumming of a White-backed Woodpecker. A nice male was found close to the road and we had really nice views. As it was approaching Pygmy Owl time, we went to check one of last years territories. Just near our minivan we had another woodpecker for our list - two Lesser Spotted were perched on the top of the dead spruce tree. Our guide whistled for the Pymgy Owl and quickly 2 Crested Tits jumped out and we had superb views of them. No response from the Owl, but we had another Black Woodpecker drumming. During the evening we checked several Pygmy Owl sites with no luck but eventually, in the fading light, we heard a response. After a few minutes a Pygmy Owl landed on top of a spruce just in front of us! We had 10 minutes scope views of this stunning little creature - and with nice evening sunlight on the bird! For most of us it was definately bird of the trip. We also heard Ural Owl at the same site - what quality birding to get such sightings in just a few hours. With smiling faces we headed back to the guesthouse to have a late dinner and some evening beers.
5 Wed (10th April) SAARJÕE & AUDRU
We had another 6 o`clock start to go back to the Saarjõe Nature Reserve for the forest birds. It was really sunny and calm again. The first hour was rather poor but things improved when we found 2 Nutcrackers perched at a dead tree. We drove the forested tracks to see Capericaillies with no luck at first. After coffee and breakfeast in the forest our luck changed. Just two minutes in the minivan and there they were - 7 female Capericaillies on the road and one lekking male just a few meters from them! We looked and looked at them. Anthony was absolutely thrilled as that bird has been avoiding him for 38 years!
After landing at the Tallinn airport late afternoon, we headed towards Saaremaa island, which is quite a long drive, but on the way we had some time for birding as well. First, it is important to mention, that the fields were still covered with thick snow – as our guide said, it has been an exceptionally late spring here.
Before catching the ferry, we had a brief stop at Kasari river (Matsalu National Park) where there was some open water. We had superb views of 4 White-tailed Eagles – all of them nice adults. In the open water we spotted several pairs of Goosanders and Goldeneyes. Next stop just before catching the ferry was Tuhu bog. On the nearby fields we saw our first Cranes and at the bog we had a really nice view of the single male Black Grouse. After he flew we noticed that there were also 7 females in the nearby tree tops. Next we drove to Saaremaa island, setlled down at Loona Manorhouse and enjoyed a georgious meal before heading to bed.
2 Sun (7th April) SAAREMAA ISLAND
We awoke to find strong winds with occasional snowfalls but this did not deter us from heading to Cape Undva for the Steller`s Eiders, pausing to see a Great Grey Shrike sitting on the wires.
It was really cold at the coast but, despite that, the bay was full of seaducks, especially nice numbers of Goldeneyes and Long-tailed Ducks. It was really special to see them in hundreds all together. We found several Smew, Red-breasted Mergansers and a lovely group of Velvet Scoters. The biggest bonus was to see a male Parrot Crossbill which landed briefly on the rocks. We also saw several Steller`s Eiders flying in the distance, but none of them seen swimming. Eventually we found our first male swimming but it took off before everybody had a proper look at it so we decided to have lunch and come back the next day, when the weather is hopefully better.
In the afternoon we went to Viidumäe forest. It was still windy, so we didn`t have any luck with Nutcrackers here, but we got our first brief views of the Black Woodpecker. It was obvious that it was not owling weather so we drove around on the fields to pick up some migrants. We had several groups of Lapwing, many Skylarks, Yellowhammers and the first Curlew.
3 Mon (8th April) MATSALU NATIONAL PARK, to central Estonia
We drove in the morning to Cape Undva again and just before reaching to the coast we found a nice group of 25 Waxwings feeding on the juniper bushes. After some searching we found 2 male and one female Steller`s Eiders swimming at the coast, about 200 meters off-shore. This was much better than yesterday and everyone felt pleased with their views before we headed to the harbour for our journey to central Estonia.
After lunch we went to a wooded meadow to search for the woodpeckers. The weather was a bit windy still, but much better than yesterday. A few whistles by our guide and the first Grey-headed Woodpecker responded quickly. After few minutes we had really good views of the bird perched on the tree top. As we have really early start tomorrow, we drove to our new guesthouse in Central Estonia, had another absolutely superb meal and went to bed.
4 Tue (9th April) TOOSIKANNU & SAARJÕE
We started our mammal safari with the open truck at 5.30am. It was sunny morning and although it was -12 degrees Celsius it didn’t feel that cold as there was no wind. The first half hour was rather quiet. After that we got a brief view of a Hazel Hen flying over the forest track, then fairly quickly found two young Elk at the edge of the forest. They were really tame and we had bins on them for several minutes. We made a stop in a forest clearing to have warm coffee and could hear a Black Woodpecker drumming. After a few minutes it flew in and landed just next to our truck - a male Black Woodpecker sitting in the early morning sun - what a beautiful moment!
We returned to the guesthouse for breakfast then with such good weather headed back out for more birding. The first hour produced several Hazel Grouse with at least 5-6 individuals. It is really unusual to have so many sightnings in a day of this shy game bird. Nutcrackers were quiet again but we managed to see our first White Stork.
After lunch we headed to the Saarjõe Nature Reserve for some forest birding. After few stops we heard drumming of a White-backed Woodpecker. A nice male was found close to the road and we had really nice views. As it was approaching Pygmy Owl time, we went to check one of last years territories. Just near our minivan we had another woodpecker for our list - two Lesser Spotted were perched on the top of the dead spruce tree. Our guide whistled for the Pymgy Owl and quickly 2 Crested Tits jumped out and we had superb views of them. No response from the Owl, but we had another Black Woodpecker drumming. During the evening we checked several Pygmy Owl sites with no luck but eventually, in the fading light, we heard a response. After a few minutes a Pygmy Owl landed on top of a spruce just in front of us! We had 10 minutes scope views of this stunning little creature - and with nice evening sunlight on the bird! For most of us it was definately bird of the trip. We also heard Ural Owl at the same site - what quality birding to get such sightings in just a few hours. With smiling faces we headed back to the guesthouse to have a late dinner and some evening beers.
5 Wed (10th April) SAARJÕE & AUDRU
We had another 6 o`clock start to go back to the Saarjõe Nature Reserve for the forest birds. It was really sunny and calm again. The first hour was rather poor but things improved when we found 2 Nutcrackers perched at a dead tree. We drove the forested tracks to see Capericaillies with no luck at first. After coffee and breakfeast in the forest our luck changed. Just two minutes in the minivan and there they were - 7 female Capericaillies on the road and one lekking male just a few meters from them! We looked and looked at them. Anthony was absolutely thrilled as that bird has been avoiding him for 38 years!
Capercaillies (Tetrao urogallus) / Tarvo Valker
After that we headed toward Pärnu town. A brief stop at the nearby park produced superb views of 2 Middle Spotted Woodpeckers. What a privilege to observe 5 species of woodpeckers in just 2 days! In the afternoon we searched for migrants in nearby fields and found plenty of Skylarks, many Lapwings and the first White Wagtails, but it seemed that the cold weather was still holding many migrants back and we did not add many species to the list.
Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius) / Tarvo Valker
6 Thu (11th April) To North-East, ALUTAGUSE
We left our base late in the morning and drove toward north-east Estonia. On the way we made a stop at Ohepalu Nature Reserve to try for another woodpecker - Three-toed. Our first stop produced a drumming male and half of the group had good views of the bird but unfortunately it flew into dense forest before all had seen it well.
Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus) / Tarvo Valker
In the afternoon we did some mammal tracking in the Alutaguse region finding Brown Bear and Lynx tracks here. Another stop in the forest produced 15 minutes of quality birding again. First 2 White-backed Woodpeckers were found, when male Black Woodpecker flew over and just after that a single male Black Grouse. When our guide heard quiet pecking and soon discovered a male Three-toed Woodpecker feeding low down on a dead tree, just at the roadside. We had long views of that one and finally everybody had 6 European woodpeckers on their list!
In the late evening we drove the forested areas in search of Ural Owl, but as it started raining we didn`t have any luck with that.
7 Fri (12th April) ALUTAGUSE & LAHEMAA
This is our last early morning out in the forest and on the way we found an adult male Merlin on the telegraph pole, 3 male Black Grouse lekking on the snow and a small group of Snow Buntings on the roadside. Forest birding wasn`t to good, although we had several Willow Tits here. In the afternoon we did some seawatching at Lahemaa. We had here a flock of Velvet Scoters, Common Eiders and a few Long-tailed Ducks and Red-breasted Mergansers. We also had several Kestrels and 2 White-tailed Eagles while driving.
8 Sat (13th April) To Tallinn, departure...
It was our last day and after breakfeast we headed towards Tallinn. Our first stop was in a city park for Red Squirrels. Unluckily we didn`t find any, but we added two new species on our bird list. First we saw a Woodcock flying over our heads, probably flushed up by a dog, then 2 Hawfinches in one garden.
After that we went for a guided walk in Tallinn old town, had our last traditional Estonian meal and went to the airport. We ended our tour with 92 bird species, including 6 species of woodpeckers, 3 speceies of grouse, Pygmy Owl, White-tailed Eagle, Common Crane, Nutcracker and Parrot Crossbill.
All together 90 bird species were seen during whole week.
Full list of birds:
1. Mute Swan
2. Whooper Swan
3. Bean Goose
4. Greater White-fronted Goose
5. Greylag Goose
6. Shelduck
7. Eurasian Wigeon
8. Eurasian Teal
9. Mallard
10. Tufted Duck
11. Common Eider
12. Steller`s Eider
13. Long-tailed Duck
14. Common Scoter
15. Velvet Scoter
16. Goldeneye
17. Smew
18. Red-breasted Merganser
19. Goosander
20. Hazel Grouse – 6-7 individuals seen during the trip
21. Black Grouse – 7 males and 8 females seen
22. Capercaillie – 1 lekking male together with 7 females
23. Crested Grebe
24. Cormorant
25. Grey Heron
26. White Stork
27. White-tailed Eagle – at least 7 individuals during the trip
28. Sparrowhawk
29. Common Buzzard
30. Kestrel
31. Merlin – 1 adult male
32. Crane
33. Oystercatcher
34. Ringed Plover
35. Lapwing
36. Woodcock – 1 ind. on the last day in Tallinn
37. Curlew
38. Black-headed Gull
39. Common Gull
40. Lesser Black-backed Gull
41. Greater Black-backed Gull
42. Herring Gull
43. Feral Pigeon
44. Wood Pigeon
45. Stock Dove
46. Pygmy Owl – one seen at Central Estonia
47. Ural Owl – one heard at Central Estonia
48. Grey-headed Woodpecker – 1 seen + 1 just heard
49. Black Woodpecker – about 10 ind. seen during the whole week
50. Great Spotted Woodpecker
51. Middle Spotted Woodpecker – 2 ind. in the park near Pärnu town
52. White-backed Woodpecker – 3 ind. seen
53. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker – 2 seen
54. Three-toed Woodpecker – 2 males seen in Alutaguse region
55. Skylark
56. White Wagtail
57. Waxwing – a group of 25 ind. at Saaremaa island
58. Blackbird
59. Mistle Thrush
60. Goldcrest
61. Long-tailed Tit
62. Marsh Tit
63. Willow Tit
64. Crested Tit
65. Coal Tit
66. Blue Tit
67. Great Tit
68. Nuthatch
69. Treeceeper
70. Great Grey Shrike
71. Eurasian Jay
72. Magpie
73. Nutcracker
74. Jackdaw
75. Rook
76. Raven
77. Hooded Crow
78. Starling
79. House Sparrow
80. Tree Sparrow
81. Chaffinch
82. Brambling
83. Siskin
84. Greenfinch
85. Goldfinch
86. Linnet
87. Common Crossbill
88. Parrot Crossbill – 1 male at Cape Undva
89. Bullfinch
90. Yellowhammer
Full list of mammals:
1. Roe Deer
2. Elk - 2
3. Red Fox
4. Mountain Hare
5. Pine Martin
6. Weasel – seen only by bird guide
Compiled by Estonian Nature Tours` leader Tarvo Valker
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