International bird races

Every year, in mid-August, an international bird racing event called the Estonian Open takes place in Estonia. The race starts at 3.a.m. and continues for 14 hours in this nonstop birdwatching marathon. The winning team usually spots over 150 bird species, which is really a remarkable result for late summer.

This year's bird race took place at Hiiumaa – our second biggest island. Hiiumaa Island is 990 sq. km. and its located nearly 25 km off the coast, making it a great place for birding and especially seawatching! Hiiumaa Island has plenty of forest for species like Nutcracker, Black Grouse, Black Woodpecker, Pygmy and Eagle Owl.

Nutcracker / Photo: Arne Ader (source: www.looduskalender.ee)

Hiiumaa island is well known hotspot for the rare vagrants. Last time the bird race was held at Hiiumaa Island, in 2003, it brought a great new addition to Estonia's bird list – Cory´s Shearwater. This year 14 teams from Estonia, Finland and Latvia took part of the bird race including three ENT tour leaders.

An Estonian team (Tarvo Valker, Hannes Pehlak, Mati Kose,
Renno Nellis & Leho Luigujõe/taking the photo/ ) at the
Estonian Open bird race in Hiiumaa island. The results
for 122 species and 2.-3. place among 14 teams.

An Estonian team managed to win for the first time (and also the Lithuanian bird race at „Curonian Lagoon” in October!).  The winning team had 3 Estonian and 1 Latvian member and found 112 bird species and is the same team that has won the Latvian bird race several times. Altogether 26 teams with 120 birders took part of this event.

Incredible Hawk Owl invasion in Estonia!

 Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) / Remo Savisaar

This year has seen the biggest invasion of Hawk Owls to take place in Estonia for many years. The first birds started to appear in late August – nearly two months earlier than usual. During this autumn up till the end of November birders have found 32 different Hawk Owls, an astonishing number for such a little country. Some of Estonian Nature Tours autumn bird trips offered brilliant views of this stunning northern owl.

 This shot was taken by Luke Massey in North-East Estonia in Autumn 2013

Normally there are no more than 10 individuals encountered during one season. Yet this years movement has been already more spectacular than ever. It is impossible to predict the final numbers we will have by the end of winter, but it is clear that this is the best time ever to twitch hawk owls in Estonia this winter.

Stop thinking – come to Estonia NOW!

For birdwatchers who can make a quick decision and are keen to see this stunning northern bird; the Hawk Owl plus other specific species as Black Grouse, Hazel Grouse and White-backed Woodpecker, we now have 3-day bargain tours. Invite a friend, or even a few and contact us, book a suitable period, and start packing! Group sizes can vary from 2-7 people. The price includes local transportation, a guide, two dinners and two nights in hotel/guesthouse with private facilities and breakfast. 


White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos) / Sven Zacek

Price:
2-3 pax                 495 € per person
4-7 pax                 395 € pp.
Single suppl.          70 € 



For futher information on 3-day bargain trips we have on offer, plus booking details, terms and conditions please phone or e-mail us:

Tel:  +372 5349 6695 / E-mail: info@naturetours.ee

A good hawk owl invasion usually lasts till at least early March, but with the amazing numbers they are expected to stay until mid-April. By joining one of our early Spring tours, there is a great opportunity to see the Hawk Owl.

Please click here to see our Tour calendar... 

Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) in Estonia in winters 1996/1997–2011/2012

During this period at least 76 Hawk Owls were observed in Estonia,including autumn and spring migrants. Apparent invasions were registered in winters 2002/2003, 2005/2006, 2009/2010, 2010/2011 and 2011/2012. No Hawk Owls were observed in winter 2000/2001. Most of birds were met from November to January. The earliest observation dates from the 11thof September and the latest from the last days of March. Site fidelity of wintering Hawk Owls is quite high, 11 birds held a territory longer than one month. All individuals were solitary ones.

More than half of birds were met in western counties (Läänemaa and Pärnumaa). Uku Paal / Hirundo 25 (2012)

Estonian Nature Tours saab 10 aastaseks!

Seoses sellega on meil oma klientidele ja uudiste jälgijatele mitmeid üllatusi varuks. Täna rõõmustame kõige aktiivsemaid Facebooki jälgijaid. 

Palju õnne!

Kõikidele ülejäänud fännidele ja uutele jälgijatele pakume linnuretke "Saagem tuttavaks metsakanadega" kevadise sulahinnaga -20% . Vali endale sobiv kuupäev ajavahemikul 15.04-15.05 ja pöördu meie poole: raili@naturetours.ee või tel. 5695 0350.

  

Hind: 38 EUR / in. (sisaldab linnugiidi ja korraldust + piknikukorvi). Tavahind 48 EUR / in.
Grupi suurus: 6-8 inimest
Kohtumine giidiga: Tallinn-Haapsalu mnt. ääres Risti söögitare, Haapsalu Kaubamaja või Lihula mõisa juures kell 6.00 (lepitakse kokku vahetult enne retke).

 

Tedred (Tetrao tetrix) / Arne Ader

Kas oled osalenud vaatemängus, kus uhkete punaste peade ja välkuvate valgete tagumikega tedrekuked oma rituaalset pulmatantsu esitavad? Kana on kindlasti igaüks näinud ja nii mõnigi ilmselt ka maitsnud. Aga on ka veel teistmoodi kanasid – need on metsakanad. Eestimaa metsades võib kohtuda kolme kanalisega – laanepüü, tedre ja metsisega. „Saagem tuttavaks metsakanadega“ linnuretkel näeme tetre ja kui õnne on, siis ka laanepüüd.

Musträhn (Dryocopus martius)  / Chris van Rijswijk

Paketi lühikirjeldus:

Retk algab meie kuninglike põlisasukate tetrede pulmamängu jälgimisega. Igaüks neist püüab olla neist kohevama sabaga ja kõvema kudrutusega. Tõeline tegija leitakse platsi keskelt – just siin on kõige tugevamad, kõige uhkemad ja kõige vägevamad tedrekuked, kes üldjuhul ka tedremammaga lähemat tutvust teha saavad. Edasi liigume Tuksi-Roosta kanti, kus õnnestub kohata ka laanepüüd. Metsise nägemiseks peab väga palju õnne olema. Paneme reisile kaasa piknikukorvi, teine võimalus on süüa peale linnuvaatlust Roostal.

Liigid: teder, laanepüü, musträhn, tutt-tihane, sookurg, laanerähn, kiivitaja, metskits jpt.
 

Laanerähn (Picoides tridactylus) / Sven Zacek

Tutt-tihane (Parus cristatus) / Mati Kose

Metskits (Capreolus capreolus) / Sven Zacek

Meiega näed rohkem...

Estonian Nature Tours (juriidiline nimi Kumari Reisid OÜ) on Eestis ainulaadne linnu- ja loodusreisidele spetsialiseerunud reisikorraldaja, kes tegutseb 2003.a. maikuust alates edukalt nii sise- kui välisturul. Meie teenus on vastutustundlik ja säästev ning suunatud aastaringselt kõigile neile, kes looduses liikudes ümbertoimuvast rohkem teada soovivad. Reise juhendavad professionaalsed linnu-, taime- ja loomatundjad.

Meie missioon on mõõduka inimtegevuse tagajärjel säilinud looduspärandi tutvustamine, ökoloogilise mõtteviisi ja looduse tunnetuse kujundamine ning kohaliku turismiteenuse väärtustamine.

Pakume vapustavaid looduselamusi mitmel pool Eestimaal. Meie retked toimuvad ettetellimisel ja neid juhendavad professionaalsed loodusetundjad. Saagem tuttavaks metsakanadega, Linnukevad Matsalus, Ööhääled roostikus, Roostikuromantika, Muinasjutulised orhideed, Värviline Osmussaar, Taimed ravivad..., Kured läinud, kurjad ilmad..., Saladuslik seeneriik, Karuvaatlus Alutagusel, Koprasafari, Põdra- ja metssea safari jpt. Saaremaale minnes või mandrile tulles luba endale vahepalaks kanuumatk või paadisõit Matsalu roostikus või põika läbi Lihula linnusemäelt!'

Kõik loodusretked sobivad hästi ka firmaüritusteks.

Küsi pakkumist! E-mail: raili@naturetours.ee või tel. 5695 0350

Tänuüritus meie Facebooki jälgijatele

Eve Tui, Imbi Paju, Katrin Pekri, Merike Perkmann, Oiva Kaupinen, Virge Õuemaa, Viive Selg, Оlga Мihhailova, Kati Rebane ja Marianne Février, kingime teile meie Facebooki aktiivse jälgimise eest linnuretke.

Palju õnne!

Kohtumine giidiga 27-ndal aprillil kell 6.00 Lihula mõisa või Risti söögitare juures (täpsustame hiljem täpse kohtumispaiga). Retke kestvus on 3-5 tundi. Oma osalusest palume kindlasti teada anda: raili@naturetours.ee või tel. 5695 0350

Read the program in English and Russian below... 

Kana on kindlasti igaüks näinud ja nii mõnigi ilmselt ka maitsnud. Aga on ka veel teistmoodi kanasid – need on metsakanad. Eestimaa metsades võib kohtuda kolme kanalisega – laanepüü, tedre ja metsisega. Linnuretkel näeme tetre ja kui õnne on, siis ka laanepüüd.

Retke lühikirjeldus:

Retk algab meie kuninglike põlisasukate tetrede pulmamängu jälgimisega. Igaüks neist püüab olla neist kohevama sabaga ja kõvema kudrutusega. Tõeline tegija leitakse platsi keskelt – just siin on kõige tugevamad, kõige uhkemad ja kõige vägevamad tedrekuked, kes üldjuhul ka tedremammaga lähemat tutvust teha saavad. Metsise nägemiseks peab väga palju õnne olema. Paneme reisile kaasa piknikukorvi, teine võimalus on süüa peale linnuvaatlust Roostal.

Linnuliigid: teder, laanepüü, musträhn, tutt-tihane jpt.

Vaata ka tedremängu videot...

Tedred / Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix) / Arne Ader

Local guide will meet you at 6 AM on 27th April in front of Lihula manor house or in fuel station at Risti (will confirm later). Please notify your participation to us: raili@naturetours.ee or call +372 5695 0350

The trip begins with watching the wedding game of our royal native inhabitants the Black Grouse. Each of the males is trying to be the best with more fluffed out tail feathers and louder calls than his rivals. Real players are in the centre of the square - right here are the strongest, proudest and most powerful male Black Grouse, who generally can get close to female Black Grouses. We might meet Hazel Grouse and with much luck perhaps even a Capercaillie. 

Birds: Black Grouse, Hazel Grouse, Black Woodpecker, Crested etc.

See also Black Grouse video...

Встреча с гидом: На шоссе Таллинн – Хаапсалу около поворота на Ристи или в Лихула 27 апреля в 6.00. Пожалуйста объявить о своем участии: raili@naturetours.ee, тел +372 5695 0350

Описание пакета:

С курицей знакомы конечно многие и даже пробовали её на вкус. Но есть и другие виды куриц – лесные курицы. В Эстонии можно встретить три разновидности куриных – рябчик, тетерев-косач и глухарь. Во время похода увидим тетерева и, если повезёт, рябчика.
Поход начинается с мест, где тетерева проводят свои свадебные игры. Каждый раскрывает свой пушистый хвост веером и издаёт звуки похожие на бормотание. Посреди площадки самые красивые, смелые и опытные самцы, именно у них больше шансов для завоевания самочек. Дальше отправимся в сторону Тукси- Рооста, где повстечаемся с рябчиком. Для встречи с глухарём нужно быть настоящим везунчиком. В поход возьмём корзину с продуктами для пикника, вторая возможность покушать, после похода, в Рооста.

Птицы: тетерев-косач, рябчик, чёрный дятел, хохлатая синица и др.

Stop Thinking About it - Come to Estonia!

Steller's Eider / Jari Peltomäki

For birdwatchers who can make a quick decision and are keen to see something specific such as Steller´s Eider, Hazel Grouse, Ural Owl or Three-toed Woodpecker, we now have on offer 3-day bargain tours. Invite a friend, or even a few, contact us, book a suitable period, and start packing!

For a group size of 2-6 people, price includes local transportation, guide and two nights in hotel/guesthouse with private facilities and breakfasts.

Some highlights seen on previous 3-day tour: Steller`s Eider, White-tailed Eagle, Pygmy Owl, Hawk Owl, Nutcracker, Black and White-backed Woodpecker, Black Grouse and Parrot Crossbill.

The offer is valid until mid-April.

For futher information (price and itinerary) please contact us: e-mail: info@naturetours.ee / tel +372 5349 6695.

Black Grouse / Arne Ader

White-backed Woodpecker / Sven Zacek

Ural Owl / Sven Zacek

Spring has arrived in Estonia. Although our fields are still covered with a thick layer of snow, this does not stop the arrival of the first spring migrants - Skylarks, Lapwings and Starlings. In few weeks, fields in West-Estonia will be covered with thousands Bewick's and Whooper Swans, White-fronted and Bean Geese, feeding up for the long journey to the arctic tundra.

Many of our forest birds are now active. On sunny mornings woodpeckers defend their territories, producing often stunning views of White-backed or Three-toed Woodpeckers. Recent sighting suggest that woodpeckers are doing well after last winter. Bogs are now resounding with lekking Black Grouse.

Three-toed woodpecker / Sven Zacek

An early Spring trip to Estonia is a good chance to experience spectacular bird migration, observe forest bird specialities together with some very special wintering birds that are still present. In recent counts at least 200 Steller`s Eiders are in a tight flock at their main wintering area and several Hawk Owls have been found wintering at various sites round the country.

Hawk Owl / Remo Savisaar