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Showing posts with label British Birdfair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label British Birdfair. Show all posts

Monday, September 1, 2014

The Winners of the Questionnaire in British Birdfair 2014


For the third time Estonian Nature Tours offered a possibility to win a dream wildlife holiday to Estonia in British Birdfair 2014 and on our webpage as well. 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 38 people, 19 of them gave right answers to all the questions and therefore gained the right to participate in our drawing. The second question was most difficult.

We are delighted to announce the winners:

Grand Prize: Wildlife holiday - Birds and Bears. Price 955 € - Mrs A. Durn

This year something extraordinary happened at drawing the lots. We decided with colleagues that I shall be the first to draw the grand prize among the correct questionnaire answers. I wanted to do it quickly, but my colleagues said: “No-no, do not rush! Try to focus, so that the person who really wants the prize will get it.” I was trying to concentrate in my own way and...
... pulled out the form, that was completed by last year's grand prize winner!!! Unfortunately she could not use her prize last year, but now she’s given the second chance :)
 

Congratulations, Andrea!

Marika Mann
On behalf of Estonian Nature Tours team

Lot 1: Brown Bear tracking and watching. Price 115 € - Mrs C. Ballinger
Lot 2: Flying Squirrel Study trip. Price 100 € - Mrs R. Obrien
Lot 3: Beaver boat-trip. Price 85 € - Mr C. Martenson

Congratulations to everyone!

Click here to see Brown Bear watching video...

 Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) / Sven Zacek

Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) / Neil Aldridge

 Flying Squirrel (Pteromys volans)  / Rainar Kurbel



 Beaver (Castor) / Remo Savisaar'


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.



Friday, August 8, 2014

Birdfair 2014. What´s new?


The 2014 British Birdfair will take place at Egleton Nature Reserve, Rutland on Friday 15th – Sunday 17th August. 

This is the seventh time Estonian Nature Tours (ENT) will participate in the biggest bird and ecotourism fair in the world as an exhibitor.

Visit us in Marquee 5 Stand 32!

Estonian Nature Tours has been a pioneer in developing nature and bird tourism all over Estonia. We have more than 10 years experience in organising outstanding wildlife holidays in Estonia and the feedback from our clients has always been very positive. Believe it or not – we have developed a fan club, with many of our customers visiting Estonia with our help four or even five times!
Short breaks are becoming increasingly popular and in response to the high demand for this type of holiday we are continuing to increase our programme. For birdwatchers who are keen to focus on the spectacular bird migration, we offer new, fully-inclusive, 4-day trips in Western Estonia for a year 2015.

ESTONIA IN SPRING
Fri 15th May – Mon 18th May 2015
Price: 530 € pp.

Hazel Grouse (Bonasa bonasia) / Remo Savisaar

ESTONIA IN AUTUMN
Fri 18th Sep – Mon 21st Sep 2015
Price: 530 pp.

Common Cranes (Grus grus) / Remo Savisaar

Another new idea is our 5-day fully-inclusive holiday for dragonflies. In recent  years Estonia has been a magnet for birdwatchers from Europe and beyond. Now this Baltic State is also becoming a mecca for dragonfly (and butterfly) enthusiasts eager to see the country´s speciality species.

DRAGONFLIES IN ESTONIA
Wed 10th Jun – Sun 14th June
Price: 755 € pp. 
BOOK HERE...
To read tour report Butterflies in Estonia by Trevor Davenport click here...

Yellow-Spotted Emerald (Somatochlora flavomaculata) / Philip Smith


Ruby Whiteface (Leucorrhinia rubicunda) / Mati Martin


Estonia is an up and coming destination for wildlife photography. Boasting fantastic species such as White-tailed Eagles, Brown Bear, European Beaver, Wild Boar and Elk. All of which you may get the chance to photograph if you visit Estonia.

White-tailed Eagle Photography
September – October / February – March (on request)
Price: from 50 € pp.
Beaver Photography
April – October (on request)
Price: from 45 € pp.
Brown Bear Photography
May – June / September – October (on request)
Price: from 85 € pp.


White-tailed Eagles (Haliaetus albicilla) / Luke Massey


We also have the expertise to discuss your requirements and arrange suitable accommodation and a rental car for your itinerary.

If you are keen to see specific mammals such as Flying Squirrel, Elk, Beaver or Brown Bear then let us know – we can now offer individual bookings on our Mammal study trips and safaris 2015.

Brown Bear tracking and watching                
16.-17.05 / 23.-24.05 / 30.-31.05 / 19.-20.09
To see Brown Bear video click here...

Flying Squirrel Study trip              
15.05 / 17.05 / 24.05
To see Flying Squirrel Study trip gallery click here...

Beaver boat-trip               
April – August (on request)
To see Beaver boat-trip video click here...

Elk & Wild Boar safari    
April – June / August – October (on request)
To see Elk & Wild Boar safari video click here...
 
Flying Squirrel (Pteromys volans) / Rainar Kurbel

Estonian Nature Tours invites you

Estonia – a geographical crossroad for butterflies and dragonflies 
on Saturday 16th August 12:00am – 12:20pm
Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre
Presenter: Dr Wilf Powell
Butterfly Conservation (member), Wildlife Trust (member), Bedfordshire Natural History Society (member of Council)

Despite being a small country lying at the same latitude as N. Scotland, Estonia is host to around 100 butterfly and 57 dragonfly species. This reflects its geographical position, where species with predominantly northern, southern or eastern European distributions meet. This talk will give an introduction to this fascinating butterfly and dragonfly fauna.

NB! For futher information on any of the butterfly (and dragonfly) trips we have on offer in 2015, plus booking details, terms and conditions please visit us in Marquee 5 Stand 32 or e-mail us for the detailed itinerary. The best idea is to visit our stand and chat with Dr Powell right after his presentation (12:30pm – 14:00pm). Wilf Powell has been in Estonia four times and will be back in the Autumn, this time watching bird migration.

Scarce Fritillary (Euphydryas maturna) / Wilfred Powell   

All photography enthusiasts who have heard (or not yet heard) anything from Estonia and the wonderful opportunities there are welcome to our stand Marquee 5 Stand 32 on Saturday 18th August  2:00pm – 4:00pm. A professional award-winning photojournalist, Neil Aldridge, will talk about wildlife photography opportunities in Estonia.


Neil's work includes three streams - Conservation Photojournalism, Travel and The Conservation Collection. He has travelled around the world but keeps coming back to Estonia, one of his favourite locations.
Neil's photography has been widely published. He is a contributing photographer to the renowned BBC Wildlife Magazine. His African wild dog work also featured in the winning portfolios of the coveted Wildlife Photographer of the Year and International Conservation Photography Awards, as well as the iLCP's Extinction exhibition in Telluride, Colorado in 2010. As well as several Highly Commended achievements, Neil has twice been a winner of British Wildlife Photography Awards.

 Männikjärve bog in Estonia / Neil Aldridge


Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) / Neil Aldridge


Friday, August 23, 2013

Estonian Nature Tours at the British Birdfair


It was for the 6th year already that our company was represented on the British Birdfair with our own stand. In recent years, interest in our tours has increased and more an more we feel that Estonia has become a popular destination in Europe! Noone asks any more about the whereabouts of our country, people come to our stand with clearly defined decision to travel to Estonia instead. For us it is really meaningful, that Estonian Nature Tours has now its own fanclub – many of our clients wish to come back for another time, some even for the 5th time. This is a clear indication, that people are pleased with our service and that Estonia's nature and local guides have much to offer.

Luke Massey (on the left in front) talks to people about White-tailed Eagle Photography. 
Behind, in the middle is Tarvo Valker


May 26 was the 10th anniversary of Estonian Nature Tours. We celebrated this event modestly with our clients, friends and partners on the Birdfair.

From right: Kaisa Korhonen (Liminka), Antero Topp (Finnature), Marika Mann (ENT), 
Jari Peltomäki (Finnature) and Roy Atkins (Speyside Wildlife)

Jari gave to Marika a very cute gift – his own favorite photo

Brown Bear cub playing peekaboo. Read more about Jari and this photo...


We really appreciate that You took Your time to stop over our stand - Roy and Jane Atkins, Jari Peltomäki, Antero Topp, Kaisa Korhonen, Miia  Marjanen, Mike Weedon, Killian Mullarney, Tim Harris, John McLoughlin, Ian Lycett, Sally Dowden, Tim Earl, Liz Charter, Peter and Vana Chadwick, Patricia and Raimond Rumbold, Carol Wady, Margaret Collet, Kath and David Beeken, Barry Trevis, David Kay, Luke Massey, Wilfred and Julia Powell, John Wright, Pippa Harvey, Dan Free, Ben Hoare, John Vanderdol, Margaret Alderson, Andrew Howes, Tim Appleton and many, many others...

Thank You!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Birdfair 2013. What´s new?

Birdfair 

The 2013 British Birdfair will take place at Egleton Nature Reserve, Rutland on Friday 16th – Sunday 18th August.

This is the sixth time for Estonian Nature Tours (ENT) to participate in the biggest bird and ecotourism fair in the world as an exhibitor. Estonian Nature Tours has been a pioneer in developing nature and bird tourism throughout Estonia. We have more than 10 years experience in organising outstanding wildlife holidays in Estonia and the feedback from our clients has always been very positive. We would be happy to meet with you and give you a presentation of our services whatever time is suitable for you during Birdfair 2013.

Visit us in Marquee 5 Stand 32!

Short breaks are becoming increasingly popular and in response to the high demand for this type of holiday we are continuing to expand our programme. This year, we offer new trips for birdwatchers who are keen to see woodpeckers (in all, eight species can been found in Estonia!). We also have on offer something new for nature lovers who are keen to see just brown bears or search for the impressive selection of orchids that occur in Estonia.

Estonia is an up-and-coming destination for wildlife photography, boasting fantastic species such as European Lynx and Wolves, White-tailed Eagles, Wild Boar and Elk. You may get the chance to photograph all of these exciting species if you visit Estonia this winter. Read more...

White-tailed Eagle Photography 
Sun 2nd Mar – Thu 6th Mar
Thu 6th Mar – Mon 10th Mar
Mon 10th Mar – Fri 14th Mar
Price: 995 € pp.
Tour leader: Luke Massey (Luke Massey Images)

White-tailed Eagles (Haliaetus albicilla) / Luke Massey


For birdwatchers who are keen to see woodpeckers (in all, eight species can been found in Estonia!), we now offer a new, fully-inclusive, 5-day holiday.
Read more... 

Great Snipe & Woodpeckers 
Wed 23rd Apr - Sun 27th Apr
Price: 695 € pp.

Three-toed woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus) / Sven Zacek


We also have on offer something new for nature lovers who are keen to see just brown bears or search for the impressive selection of orchids that occur in Estonia. Read more... 

Orchids & Bears
Wed 18th Jun – Sun 22nd Jun
Price: 955 € pp.

Bears & Birds
Wed 8th Oct – Sun 12th Oct
Price: 955 € pp.

Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) / Sven Zacek


Lady´s slippers (Cypripedium calceolus) / Neil Aldridge


In recent  years Estonia has been a magnet for birdwatchers from Europe and beyond. Now this Baltic State is also becoming a mecca for dragonfly (and butterfly) enthusiasts eager to see the country´s speciality species.  Read more...

Dragonfly Holiday
Fri 1st Aug – Fri 8th Aug
Price: 1250 € pp.

Yellow-Spotted Emerald (Somatochlora flavomaculata) / Philip Smith


Ruby Whiteface (Leucorrhinia rubicunda) / Mati Martin

_________________________________________

Estonia has been chosen to appear among the 30 of the world´s most dramatic 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. In addition, there is an exceptional migration of songbirds through the country each autumn, while in winter there are large congregations of wildfowl (including Steller's Eider, now considered a Vulnerable species by BirdLife International) along its coastline. Estonia is a crucial country for birds and a visit or two should be on every birder's itinerary!

Estonian Nature Tours invites you

Migration hotspots of the world
on Saturday 9:30 am - 9:50 am
Lecture Marquee 1

Presenter: Tim Harris
The author of RSPB book „Migration Hotspots: The World´s Best Migration Sites“

The best places to see migrating birds and the reasons why those places are so good. From Point Pelee to Beidaihe, a “Cook’s tour” of some of the planet’s most awe-inspiring migration sites – and the birds that use them every year.


The RSPB book „Migration Hotspots: The World's Best Bird Migration Sites“ by Tim Harris is now available in the internet.

Estonian Nature Tours visited Russia on the beginning of July to find new destinations in birdwatching and wildlife photography tourism.

We invite you

Lake Baikal: the pearl of Siberia
on Friday 16th August 4:00 - 4:20 pm 
Lecture Marquee 1

Presenter: Tarvo Valker
The member of Estonian Ornithological Society Council, bird guide 

Lake Baikal is home to more than 2,000 species of plants and animals, two-thirds of which can be found nowhere else in the world.  It is the deepest and oldest freshwater lake in the world.  Located in south central Siberia, not far from the Mongolian border and surrounded by mountains, forests and wild rivers, Baikal is an immense and breathtaking area of natural beauty.  An incredibly magical place for watching and photographing birds and mammals!


Long-tailed Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus undulatus) / Tarvo Valker


Sunset on the Lake Baikal / Remo Savisaar


Marika, Remo, Tarvo and Valeri / Remo Savisaar


Estonia is an up-and-coming destination for wildlife photography, boasting fantastic species such as Brown Bear and Elks, White-tailed Eagles, Wild Boar and Roe Deer.

Estonian Nature Tours invites you

Wildlife photography in Estonia
on Saturday 18th August  11:00 - 13:00am
Marquee 5, Stand 32

Presenter:  Luke Massey     
Luke has been obsessed with wildlife since he can remember, this has led to a career in photographing and filming animals, recently working alongside the BBC natural history unit. He has travelled around the world but keeps coming back to Estonia, one of his favourite locations. 
Estonia is a hidden gem in Europe, complete with a large array of different habitats, as well as the highest population of wolves, bear and lynx in Europe, supported by a cast including eagles, cranes, geese and many other mammals.

No matter what time of year, there is always something to train your camera on in Estonia. Luke will talk of his experiences with bears, eagles and other species he has come across in Estonia. From sitting out in -40C conditions waiting for a white tailed eagle to appear, to watching an opening in a wood waiting for a bear to emerge from the vegetation.

Join him at this talk and maybe you'll be out taking your own photos of the wildlife that calls Estonia its home soon.  

   
 Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) / Luke Massey


White-tailed Eagle (Haliaetus albicilla) / Luke Massey


White-tailed Eagle (Haliaetus albicilla) / Luke Massey



Tuesday, September 11, 2012

The Winners of the Questionnaire in British Birdfair 2012



For the second time Estonian Nature Tours offered a possibility to win a dream wildlife holiday to Estonia in British Birdfair 2012 and on our webpage as well. 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 29 people, 12 of them gave right answers to all the questions and therefore gained the right to participate in our drawing.

We are delighted to announce the winners:

Grand Prize: Birdwatching holiday Estonia- A Shelter For Western Taiga Forest Birds. Price 860 € - Mr Barthorpe

Lot 1: Brown Bear tracking and watching. Price 100 € - Mrs Hall
Lot 2: Flying Squirrel Study trip. Price 100 € - Mr Rutt
Lot 3: Beaver boat-trip. Price 85 € - Mr Chew


Congratulations to everyone!

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.


  
Photo: Greg Funnell



Sunday, August 12, 2012

Estonian Nature Tours at the British Birdfair 2012

Birdfair

The 2012 British Birdfair will take place at Egleton Nature Reserve, Rutland on Friday 17th – Sunday 19th August. This is the fifth time for Estonian Nature Tours (ENT) to participate in the biggest bird and ecotourism fair in the world as an exhibitor. Estonian Nature Tours has 10 years experience in organising outstanding wildlife holidays in Estonia and the feedback from our clients has always been excellent. This year, we offer new trips to see forest birds in early spring and mammals in autumn, as well as a butterfly and wildlife photography tours, plus totally new opportunities – raccoon dog tracking and elk & wild boar safaries.

Estonian Nature Tours invites you 
on Friday 17th August  4:00 - 4:20 pm
Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre 

ESTONIA – one of the first bird ringing country´s in the world!
Presenter:  Tarvo Valker                                                                             
The member of Estonian Ornithological Society Council, bird guide

First bird, an Oystercatcher was ringed in Estonia in June 1910, only ten years after bird ringing activity was started in the world. During 100 years 4 million birds were marked with different type of rings. The presentation will give overview of the long history of bird ringing activity in Estonia and talk about the greatest findings from this period. 
_________________________________________________________________

Estonia is a land of great natural beauty. With its Siberian-like forests, Scandinavian peat-bogs, watermeadows full of geese and waders, and a fascinating coastline, together with a low human population, empty roads and excellent infrastructure, Estonia has rapidly become a favourite wildlife destination in Europe.

Estonian Nature Tours invites you 
on Saturday 18th August  10:00 - 11:00am
Marquee 5, Stand 32

Hunting Butterflies in ESTONIA
Presenter:  Wilf Powell                                                                                   
Butterfly Conservation (member), Wildlife Trust (member), Bedfordshire Natural History Society (member of Council)

 This illustrated presentation will give an overview of the fascinating range of butterflies that are living in this country, which lies on a crossroads between Northern & Southern and Eastern & Western elements of the European butterfly fauna. The Estonian butterfly fauna of about 100 species includes sought after species such as Poplar Admiral, Camberwell Beauty, Northern Chequered Skipper, Cranberry Blue, Pallas's Fritillary and Scarce Fritillary amongst others.
___________________________________________________________________

In recent  years Estonia has been a magnet for birdwatchers from Europe and beyond. Now this Baltic State is also becoming a mecca for butterfly and dragonfly enthusiasts eager to see the country´s speciality species.  Because of its history, large parts of the country have remained completely wild, while farming methods in many areas are unintensive resulting in a mosaic of excellent habitats such as numerous flowery meadows, natural forests and massive bog areas. 

We would be happy to meet with you and give you a presentation of our services whatever time is suitable for you during Birdfair 2012.

Visit us in Marquee 5 Stand 32!





Monday, October 31, 2011

Titchwell Marsh

The Estonian Nature Tours team also visited the Norfolk area during the British Birdfair 2011 for some birding. Our main destination was Titchwell Marshes where we encountered nice flocks of waders - including Black-tailed Godwits, Dunlins, Avocets, Ruffs and many other wetland birds. Even a rare vagrant - a Buff-breasted Sandpiper was seen at Titchwell that day. It was an interesting visit not only for birds but also for the great opportunity to see successful nature conservation efforts in action. We were also delighted to see the very modern hides at this wetland which allow birdwatchers to get really close to the birds without disturbing them. We also went to Hunstanton to see Fulmars - a bird which is rather common in Norfolk, but not present in Estonia.

View to the Titchwell Marshes
Photo: Tarvo Valker

Titchwell Marsh is an exceptional nature reserve on the north Norfolk coast. It is a part of a network of outstanding wildlife sites across Europe called Natura 2000. A walk from the visitor centre down to the sandy beach takes you past reedbeds and shallow lagoons, which are often full of birds. You can sit on benches or watch from spacious, wheelchair-accessible hides. Read more...

Hiking trail before entering the hide
Photo: Tarvo Valker

RSPB Titcwell Marsh nature reserve is under pressure. The sand dunes along
the beach are being eroded by the sea. The ersosion of the dunes would
ultimately threaten the sea walls that prtect the reserve´s valuable
freswater habitats. These habitats are home to spectacular and rare breeding birds such as bitterns, mars harriers and bearded tits.

Inside view of the birdwatching hide
Photo: Tarvo Valker

In autumn 2009, the RSPB started work on the Titchwell Marsh Coastal Change
Project.

Find out more about the project here...


View to the mudflats from the hide
Photo: Tarvo Valker

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Birdfair

Come and see Estonian Nature Tours at Birdfair Friday 20th - Sunday 22nd August BirdFair.org.uk
BirdFair.org.uk