Don't miss MAFF! The best nature documentaries in Matsalu, 16-20 September

Desert of the Red Kangaroo

Germany, directors Thoralf Grospitz, Jens Westphalen

Matsalufilm is doing it again! 13th time in a row Matsalu Nature Film Festival (or simply MAFF) is taking place in Lihula, a small town just next to the Matsalu National Park. This time it will be again better than ever, simply because there are the newest films from more than 50 countries all over the world competing for the Grand Prix. During these 5 days the final choice will be made among the best of the best masterpieces and screenings of this final set will be available to every visitor.

Wildlife, nature, biodiversity, adventures, conservation, complex relationships between Man and Nature and other burning topics will compete. Since the very first time in October 2003 many of the high league directors, screenwriters and cameramen have made this festival their own. Oliver Goetzl, Peter Gerdehag, Mark Deeble, Victoria Stone, Ralf Kiefner and Jan Haft to name some few.

In this year's programme there are films like “City Under the Sea” by Guy Chaumette, “Speechless – the Polar Realm” by Richard Sidey, “America's National Parks – Yosemite” by Oliver Goetzl, “Life on the Mother River” by Remek Meel and many more. Still photographers have their party as well with lots of exhibitions, AV programs and workshops.

 “Life on the Mother River” by Remek Meel 

It’s not a chance, that during the festival week thousands of cranes, geese and other migrating birds can be watched in the surrounds (sometimes large flocks stop over just in the span of 1 km from the main venue). It’s carefully planned and hospitably exposed, so the visitors have to choose between the good and the best. Films or cranes or both...

Without a doubt this event should be in the schedule of each and every serious nature lover. No need to say, that several tour leaders and partners of Estonian Nature Tours have participated as exhibitors, jury members or just daytrip guides during the festival.

A fantastic new trip for you – just MATSALU!

If one has to choose only one bird area in Estonia, then it should be Matsalu. If one has to choose only one site in Matsalu, it should be Haeska.

So – whyfor?

Maybe it is for Matsalu's 500 km2 territory, its 165 km coastline around the shallow bays, its balanced mixture of small islets, reedbeds, woodlands, floodplains and sea-shore meadows.

Definitely its for unrivalled diversity of migrating and breeding birds and the opportunity to observe it and get personal first-hand experience.

But most of all its the unique feeling of the unobstructed "backyard" of the nature. The feeling of a rediscovered paradise and Yourself  being just there in the right moment and watching it with Your own eyes. Well, mostly with Your binoculars and spotting scope.

So why Haeska? It's very simple – on the ultimate edge of Haeska village You can come to the Tuulingu guesthouse, which stands barely 30 metres off the coast. 

The guesthouse is in fact a rebuilt old farmhouse, now having the front windows and the cafe terrace right towards the shallow sea and the flat muddy coast, where throughout the spring and half of the summer You can watch the swarming birds. Even with Your morning coffee. 

Swans, geese, ducks, grebes, waders, eagles and other birds of prey – all of them fulfilling the panorama. Numerous songbirds in the trees and shrubs, moving past the guesthouse. To get even better panorama You have only to walk 15 metres and climb up the watching tower and almost the whole Matsalu Bay is literally at Your feet.

When You still need some more, it is easily possible to drive around the adjacent locations either in Matsalu National Park or nearby raised bogs, which are just another kind of paradise where the civilization hasn't reached yet. And after some few days it is clear why more than 170 species breed here – and why the north European day-list record of 194 was set in this region in May 2007.

 
We sincerely hope that we gave you the inspiration!

Take a minute to enjoy the video...

For futher information on a trip MATSALU – a paradise for birds! Please phone or e-mail us for the detailed itinerary. Tel: +372 5349 6695 / E-mail: info@naturetours.ee

250-300 pairs of Three-toed Woodpeckers in one National park in Estonia!

Until now the management of Lahemaa NP knew that their local population of Three-toed Woodpecker is about 25 pairs. Substantial research and monitoring of birds has revealed just the opposite. Three-toed Woodpecker is the second best woodpecker species next to the Great Spotted one. New estimations of the probable abundance are 250-300 pairs!

Three-toed Woodpecker / Photo: Sven Zacek

Woods in Lahemaa suit well also to owls. As it turned out the breeding density of Ural Owl, Pygmy Owl and Tengmalm's Owl is 2-3 times higher than Estonia's average. There are also up to 5 breeding pairs of Eagle Owl in Lahemaa NP.
Intriguingly Hazel Grouse and Nightjar are also among the species of high number (both about 400-500 pairs). These areas occur to be favourable to our Bird of the Year: there are about 15-20 pairs of Honey Buzzard and 70-80 pairs of Common Buzzard. Curiously enough there are practically no Spotted Eagles (just perhaps 1 pair), but the 2 only known North-Estonia's breeding pairs of Osprey are also from Lahemaa.
In rural and agricultural landscapes the most important bird species conservationally speaking is the Corncrake with exeptionally high number (450-500 pairs) and the highest breeding density in our country (up to 10 pairs per km2).

Corncrake / Photo: Mati Kose

As of new breeders in the coastal areas there are now 1-2 pairs of Canada Goose.

The most substantial and labour-intensive one-time bird inventory in Lahemaa NP was carried on from August 2013 till July 2014. Fifteen researchers were participating in this job, among others ENT bird guide Kaarel Võhandu. The elapsed time for these observations was all together 150 workdays and -nights.

This year elaborated bird inventories are carried on in 3 large and 7 smaller Natura Bird Areas. This will bring to completion the goal put up by Estonian Ornithological Society to fill the gaps and gather reliable and relevant fundamental data from all 66 Natura Bird Areas in Estonia.

WOODPECKER TOUR SPRING 2016

Results of Estonian Open 2015

This year Estonian Open took place on the 15th of August from 3 a.m. to 5 p.m. in North-East Estonia. Over 60 participants were registrered for this event with 7 Estonian, 1 Latvian, 1 Lithuanian and 7 Finnish teams. As usual, several Estonian Nature Tours bird guides participated in that event. The winner team was RC & Co from Estonia (including ENT guide Uku Paal)  with 141 species in total. The team Läänemaa Linnuklubi (including our guides Tarvo Valker and Mati Kose) came in fourth place with 136 species. The most interesting species recorded during the rally was Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea).

Photo: Mati Kose

Results of the teams:

1. 141 RC & Co (Andrus Jair, Mihkel Metslaid, Margus Ots, Uku Paal, Peeter Raudsepp)
2. 138 MuoviLabaJengi (Petteri Mäkelä, Tom Nordblad, Jarkko Santaharju, Roni Väisänen)
3. 137 Team Ristisaari (Petri Ripatti, Tuomas Seimola, Ari Vuorio)
4. 136 Läänemaa Linnuklubi (Mati Kose, Renno Nellis, Hannes Pehlak, Tarvo Valker)
5. 133 Banaanivabariik (Jukka Hatva, Tuukka Kupiainen, Jan Nordblad, Gustaf Nordenswahn, Matti Rekilä)
6. 127 Finnish Toy Boys (Sebastian Andrejeff, Paul Boijer, Markus Lampinen, Tomas Swahn, Ossi Tahvonen)
7. 125 Kõrvemaa Suusaklubi (Aki Arkiomaa, Harri Holtta, Matti Koivula, Timo Nuoranen)
8. 123 Kuldkihar ja kolm Karu (Tiina Mäkelä, Juha Tuomala, Henry Tennberg, Jyrki Tolvanen)
9. 114 Natourest (Rein Kuresoo, Leho Luigujõe, Bert Rähni, Ahto Täpsi)
10. 112 Himantopus himantopus (Ilze Bojare, Ivars Brediks, Andris Klepers, Ieva Mardega, Marcis Tirums)
11. 107 Viis Vellot (Madis Karu, Sten Lassmann, Raul Vilk, Kris Voog, Kaarel Võhandu)
12.-13. 103 Bilia (Christer Casagrande, Jaakko Hynninen, Seppo Grönlund, Istvan Kecskemeti)
12.-13. 103 Buteo (Eedi Lelov, Heikki Luhamaa, Kalle Muru, Riho Männik)
14. 101 Eesti Naised (Triin Kaasiku, Liis Keerberg, Aire Orula, Thea Perm, Tiiu Tali)
15. 100 Birding Lithuania (Gediminas Eigirdas, Vytautas Eigirdas, Marius Karlonas, Armandas Naudžius)
16. 75 Westerners (Sander Sirelbu, Ave Huugen)

The total number of species 192.

„Aces“:
Natourest – rukkirääk CRECRE
Birding Lithuania – randtiir STEAEA
Himantopus himantopus – nõmmelõoke LULARB, karvasjalg-kakk AEGFUN, tutt-tiir STESAN, krüüsel CEPGRY, roohabekas PANBIA 
RC & Co – väikekajakas HYDMIN, põldtsiitsitaja EMBHOR
Team Ristisaari – värbrüdi CALTEM, kaelus-turteltuvi STRDEC
Banaanivabariik – rästas-roolind ACRARU, metsis TETURO
Kõrvemaa Suusaklubi – kaljukotkas AQUCHR
Kuldkihar ja kolm Karu – kukkurtihane REMPEN

Video story on the bird race Estonian Open in national TV environmental broadcast...

Estonian Open 2016 takes place on 13th of August in Hiiumaa island. British and other teams are welcome to join this event! 

The Winners of the Questionnaire in British Birdfair 2015

For the fifth time Estonian Nature Tours offered a possibility to win a dream wildlife holiday to Estonia, this time only at the British Birdfair 2015. Estonian Nature Tours wishes to thank everyone who completed our questionnaire and took part in the prize draw. 
All together our questionnaire was filled in by 32 people, 13 of them gave right answers to all the questions and therefore gained the right to participate in our drawing. The chance to win was pretty big!

We asked all nature lovers to read carefully our homepage www.naturetours.ee or read up on the brochure "ESTONIA – the heart of European wildlife" You have now excellent opportunity to get acquainted to Estonia’s nature.

We are delighted to announce the winners:

Grand Prize: MATSALU - A PARADISE FOR BIRDS! Price: 755 € - Mrs. R.Walls

Click here to see Woodpeckers gallery...

Lot 1: Brown Bear photography (for two). Price: 210 € - Mrs. J.Houston

Brown Bear / Photo: Luke Massey

Click here to see the video...

Lot 2: Beaver boat-trip (for four). Price: 200 € - Mrs. K.Hatch

Beaver / Photo: Remo Savisaar

Click here to see the video...

Lot 3: Elk & Wild Boar safari (for two). Price: 150 € - Mrs. C.Williams

Elk / Photo: Remo Savisaar

Click here to see the video...

Congratulations to everyone!

Waterfowl hunting has to be sustainable!

Barnacle Geese in October
Photo: P. Vissak

Call by Estonian Ornithological Society and Estonian Hunters’ Society 
in relation to the beginning of waterfowl hunting season

Due to disagreeable incidents during the last year’s waterfowl hunting season, Estonian Ornithological Society and Estonian Hunters’ Society call hunters for sustainable hunting practice throughout this year’s season, having respect for legislation and habitude. The waterfowl hunting season began on 20th August.

To achieve the upper-mentioned goal we consider essential to remind everyone of following:
- the hunter is always hunting in a sustainable way, considering the game area conditions; the hunter may never kill the animals for fun;

- the hunter shoots exactly as many fowl, as he and his companions need, while everything shot will be consumed;

- the hunter must not shoot the game further than the distance of confident hit;

- before shooting the hunter makes sure that this particular game species is allowed to hunt on;

- using leaden duck shots for hunting waterfowl is forbidden, as lead is toxic and harmful for man’s health and nature in general;

- we conjure hunting tour operators and hunting license issuers to explain foreign tourists convincingly and in fine detail rules and regulations of waterfowl hunt in Estonia (incl. how many and which species are protected, electronic cheating and calling is prohibited etc.) and follow the fulfillment of there rules.

- Barnacle Goose is hunted in damage locations (braird or fresh crop fields, etc.), not in the sea-shore or stubble fields, where the Barnacle Goose cannot cause any damage; neither is this species hunted in areas, defined for species protection (large number of bird-areas);

- the local population of the Greylag Goose is small and the abundance is decreasing. To avoid shooting local birds it is suggested to begin hunting on Greylag Goose later, e.g. in October.

Wishing everyone sustainable waterfowl hunting season,

Andres Kalamees (Director of Estonian Ornithological Society)

Tõnis Korts (Effective Manager of Estonian Hunters’ Society)

Additional information:

Veljo Volke, EOY programme leader of bird protection

56157088, veljo.volke@eoy.ee

Peeter Hussar, EJS 

5145123, peeterhussar@gmail.com

Results of Estonian Open 2015 birdrace

Birdrace Estonia Open 2015.
Photo: Mati Kose

The recent birdrace “Estonian Open 2015” - 21st time in a row -  took place in Ida-Virumaa county on 15th August from 3 AM till 5 PM, organized by Estbirding and Viron Lintuseura. 16 separate teams were taking part with 68 participants. All together 192 species were recorded during this day.

Estonian team RC & Co (including ENT guide Uku Paal) was the winner of the competition with 141 species. The 2nd and the 3rd place went to Finnish teams who earned 138 and 137 points respectively. The team called Läänemaa Linnuklubi (including ENT guides

Tarvo Valker and Mati Kose) acquired the 4th place with 136 species.
This time Lithuanians were the newbies.

The most interesting species - the "Aces", spotted in the rally area, were Ruddy Shelduck, Grey Wagtail, Corncrake, Sandwitch Tern, Penduline Tit, Black Guillemot, Bearded Tit, Ortolan Bunting, Golden Eagle, Little Gull, Capercaillie, Little Stint, Tengmalm's Owl and Quail. 

Teams and results:

1. 141 RC & Co (Andrus Jair, Mihkel Metslaid, Margus Ots, Uku Paal, Peeter Raudsepp)

2. 138 MuoviLabaJengi (Petteri Mäkelä, Tom Nordblad, Jarkko Santaharju, Roni Väisänen)

3. 137 Team Ristisaari (Petri Ripatti, Tuomas Seimola, Ari Vuorio)

4. 136 Läänemaa Linnuklubi (Mati Kose, Renno Nellis, Hannes Pehlak, Tarvo Valker)

5. 133 Banaanivabariik (Jukka Hatva, Tuukka Kupiainen, Jan Nordblad, Gustaf Nordenswahn, Matti Rekilä) 

6. 127 Finnish Toy Boys (Sebastian Andrejeff, Paul Boijer, Markus Lampinen, Tomas Swahn, Ossi Tahvonen) 

7. 125 Kõrvemaa Suusaklubi (Aki Arkiomaa, Harri Holtta, Matti Koivula, Timo Nuoranen)

8. 123 Kuldkihar ja kolm Karu (Tiina Mäkelä, Juha Tuomala, Henry Tennberg, Jyrki Tolvanen)

9. 114 Natourest (Rein Kuresoo, Leho Luigujõe, Bert Rähni, Ahto Täpsi)

10. 112 Himantopus himantopus (Ilze Bojare, Ivars Brediks, Andris Klepers, Ieva Mardega, Marcis Tirums)

11. 107 Viis Vellot (Madis Karu, Sten Lassmann, Raul Vilk, Kris Voog, Kaarel Võhandu)

12.-13. 103 Bilia (Christer Casagrande, Jaakko Hynninen, Seppo Grönlund, Istvan Kecskemeti)

12.-13. 103 Buteo (Eedi Lelov, Heikki Luhamaa, Kalle Muru, Riho Männik)

14. 101 Eesti Naised (Triin Kaasiku, Liis Keerberg, Aire Orula, Thea Perm, Tiiu Tali)

15. 100 Birding Lithuania (Gediminas Eigirdas, Vytautas Eigirdas, Marius Karlonas, Armandas Naudžius)

16. 75 Westerners (Sander Sirelbu, Ave Huugen)

Video story of the bird race Estonian Open in national TV environmental broadcast

Next year’s rally will take place in Hiiumaa island on 13th August. 

Estonian Open is the oldest and most popular birdrace in Estonia. It was initiated in 1995 by Viron Lintuseura. The race is usually held in the middle of August and about 15 teams participate. All the new teams from any country are warmly welcomed! Follow the news for the exact dates and race area.

Rules:

1. Team size 2-6 persons.

2. More than 50% of team members must record (see or hear) the species. The same specimen must be recorded by the team.

3. Only full species is countable. Exception is the case when only one individual of the species pair (or group) was recorded. E.g. Crossbill species. 

4. Tape luring and mistnetting is not allowed. Self-made calls (whistling, clapping etc.) are allowed. 

5. Boats are not allowed. Only one vehicle can be used by one team. 

6. Areas of non-public access are forbidden.

7. Scaring/flushing the birds (in the hope that next team won’t see the bird) is not allowed.

8. Any information of birds of the competition area, received within a minimum of 1 week prior the count day, may not be used. This rule does not concern Estonian citizens who live or work in the area.

9. Teams to fill the necessary documentation of encountered rarities during 7 days after the race. Otherwise these Rarities Committee species are deleted from the list.

10. All the team members must be together during the whole race, in the reach of human voice.

Estonian Nature Tours brochure 2016 is now available

With pleasure, we are continiously offering individual bookings on our fully-inclusive holidays. To order Estonian Nature Tours 2016 brochure please send your contact details (name, address) to our e-mail: info@naturetours.ee

See also the selection of best birdwatching, mammal tours and other wildlife holidays in Estonia available for the year 2015 and 2016 by clicking here...