TOUR REPORT: BIRDS AND MAMMALS, ESTONIA 8-15th MAY 2015

European Beaver. Photo: Tarvo Valker

Local organizer: Estonian Nature Tours

Tour leader: Tarvo Valker

Day 1

Paul, Yasuko and Helen arrived to Tallinn late in the morning. After a quick snack at the airport we headed for the short birding in the northern part of Tallinn. Small nature reserve with nice hiking trail and watching tower produced us several good sightings. As we came out from the minivan, the first mammal of this trip was spotted – Red Fox was walking along the track.

Birds from the tower included a pair of summer plumage Red-necked Grebes, Penduline Tit carrying nesting material, booming Bittern, Bearded Reedling and many others. Soon Tarvo heard the song of a Bluethroat. We had very brief view of the adult male in the dense reedbed.

After an hour and a half birding it was time to pick up Connie from the airport. Now we headed out from Tallinn to reach northwestern Estonia. Our first birding stop was made in Vihterpalu area. Nice pine forests, surrounded by former forest fire was a place to see some gamebirds and raptors. Despite the fact that we were here in early afternoon, we managed to see Black Grouse hen. The bird took off near the track and perched on a nearby tree.

Second stop was made in Dirhami harbor where we hoped to see some Grey Seals. Fishing ships were around and that was a good sign. It took us less than a few minutes to spot the first Grey Seals. There was at least 3 individuals around the deck and we managed to photograph them. On a way back Tarvo spotted a tame gull roosting on a deck. It turned to be a Kittiwake – a very uncommon bird to find in Estonia in spring! The bird had few dark feathers on the back of the head, pointing that this individual was a 3cy bird.

Kittiwake. Photo: Tarvo Valker

Now it was time to settle down in Roosta. We checked in, had a nice dinner and very needed sleep for the next morning's early start.

Day 2

Early morning mammal tracking wasn't any big success first. After one hour or so, we managed to see the first female Capercaillie. Quite soon we had another female and later also one male.

We also visited Black Grouse lek, where we had about 23 males. Other birds here included Montagu's Harrier, 2 Rough-legged Buzzards, Cranes, few Black-tailed Godwits and Golden Plovers. A really superb field near the bog.

Before late breakfast we managed to find also 2 Red Squirrels. They ran across the road and then climbed around the pine trees.

Lunch time was fulfilled with a photography session of very tame Slavonian Grebes. At least 9 summer plumage birds were on a small lake. One pair was building a nest fairly close to the walking track.

We continued our birding at Rannajõe watching tower. Big floodplain is a great place to pick up some raptors. We had here White-tailed Eagle and migrating Peregrine Falcon. After that we checked some places for Ortolan Bunting, who is really rapidly declining farmland bird in the whole Europe, including Estonia. One distant bird was heard several times, but no visual sighting unfortunately. Still we managed to see another declining farmland bird species – a pair of Grey Partridges.

The weather for the boat trip - calm and sunny evening - was absolutely superb. First hour was birding time and we had really good visual sightings of several Savi's Reed Warblers. Few Ruffs, many Black Terns, several White-tailed Eagles and Marsh Harriers.

European Beaver. Photo: Tarvo Valker

Nice picnic in the boat and we started to check places for the Beavers. At first we spotted 2 American Minks in a reedbed, then two Elks. And then finally first sightings of the Beavers. Most of them were swimming in the river, but some also feeding on the riverbank. At least seven Beavers were seen during the few hours boat trip.

Day 3

We started our morning at cape Põõsaspea – the best place in the whole Europe to see arctic waterfowl migration. Although autumn here is far more spectacular, our bird list increased rapidly. We had several small flocks of Black and Red-throated Divers, Long-tailed Ducks, Velvet and Common Scoters, Red-breasted Mergansers and Common Eiders.

It was also worth to check the coastal meadow because the narrow peninsula is always a place where birds have some downfalls. Birding at the meadow produced us real quality. Within few minutes we found the first Bluethroat. In total we managed to see 3 adult males and 1 female-coloured bird. Other birds in the bushes included good views of the Icterine Warbler and few brief sightings of the Red-breasted Flycatcher. As we walked back, a Short-eared Owl passed overhead.

Male Bluethroat. Photo: Tarvo Valker

 

Before lunch we explored the northern part of Matsalu National Park. Coastal meadow at Puise peninsula had large number of passing migrants. A flock of 3,500 Barnacle Geese, few Temminck's Stints, Avocets and loads of Ringed Plovers.

After lunch we had long drive to South-East Estonia. With few resting stops it took us roughly four hours to get there. The birding highlight of this drive was certainly the Lesser Spotted Eagle, perched on a telegraph pole near the main road.

Lesser Spotted Eagle. Photo: Tarvo Valker

Day 4

We started our morning at 5.30 a.m. Barrie arrived last night and joined our group. The morning was cloudy and rather could. We walked around Järvselja forests.

Bird activity was fairly low in the first hours, because of the low temperatures. After some walk, Tarvo heard loud tapping. Soon he picked up a male White-backed Woodpecker feeding on an old tree stump. Old mixed forests with mature spruces and aspens had also good density of Red-breasted Flycatcher. Their song was heard in several places. As we arrived to our minivan, it was time for a forest-breakfeast. Our meal was delayed by a Nutcracker. The bird perched on a tall pine just near the track for several minutes. At the same time loud drumming was heard – pointing to the presence of a Black Woodpecker.

After some snacks, we explored the deciduous park in the same village. The small park delivered nesting Fieldfares, a singing Icterine Warbler and a calling Wryneck.

Before the early lunch, we made some birding near the Russian border – Mehikoorma. Small village near the big lake was a good place for several passerines and raptors. Before reaching Mehikoorma, we had 30 Little Gulls on a ploughed field accompanied by several hundred White-fronted Geese.

Mehikoorma had singing Thrush Nightingale, Red-breasted Flycatcher, several Pied Flycatchers and two male Serins. Soon we noticed White-tailed Eagle soaring high in the sky. Barrie soon discovered an Osprey near the White-Tailed Eagle and it was really nice to realize the size difference of those two raptors.

Another nice lunch at Mooste vodka factory (this time without vodka) and few hours of sleep. Afternoon birding took place at Aardla wetlands. The polder area near Tartu is a real birding paradise. Loads of Black Terns were feeding on a lake. At least 2 White-winged Terns were spotted amongst them.

Our success continued with finding some Bluethroats – at least 3 birds were seen during 2,5 hours birding. We also had good scope views of several male Citrine Wagtails – one of the main target birds we come for.

Before the dinner we had a little walk around Tartu old town. University city had really interesting old buildings and our dinner was just next door to Tartu University main building.

After the meal we drove to Kärevere. It is the most well-known place to see lekking Great Snipes. Although the grass was fairly high already, we managed to see at least 4 lekking indviduals. We saw also a Hobby hunting on a meadow.

Day 5

Morning birding at Laeva polder. At least 800 Ruff, most of them males in summer plumage. It was real privilege to observe adult Peregrine Falcon hunting the dense flock of Ruffs from the air. About 10 minutes long chase didn't provide any food for the Peregrine.

Wetland also had a pair of Hobbies and few Marsh Harriers. Waders beside Ruffs included mainly Wood Sandpipers and Greenshanks.

After short birding we drove to North-East Estonia, to the next place to see forest birds and mammals of course. First night we spent in the Bear hide.

Brown Bear hide provides sightings of Brown Bears almost every night in spring and early summer. Unfortunately Estonian army had their biggest field training maneuvers of the whole history. Over 10,000 soldiers were out in the field and some of them too close to the brown bear hide. Consequently we didn't see any bears and disturbance was obvious. Still we had at least 3 Raccoon Dogs coming to feed. Also 2 Red Foxes were seen. More elusive Brown Bears kept away.

Day 6

We left the hide early because it was clear that chances to see the Brown Bear close to military training would have been too big piece of luck. So we had drive to other forest tracks. That produced us good sighting of 3 Mountain Hares running around our van.

Mountain Hares. Photo: Tarvo Valker

After the late breakfast and some sleep we headed out again for some forest birding. Birding in the old forest was really promising, concerning Woodpeckers. Quite soon Tarvo heard soft tick, which could be most probably White-backed Woodpecker. After small effort we had brief views of the male and female White-backed Woodpecker. They kept coming in the same area, so probably the nest was rather close to the main road. We also managed to see a Three-toed Woodpecker feeding on a dead spruce, just few steps from the road. It was nice to see the most elusive woodpecker of Europe.

After the dinner our session was devoted to mammals. First mammal was a long distant mystery. The small-sized mammal running along the track and then disappeared to the ditch, was most probably another American mink. During next hour we had many Roe Deers and also a female Black Grouse near the track.

More excitement was added when dusk arrived. First, Ural Owl flew across the road. Unfortunately only 2 participants and the tour leader managed to see this spectacular owl, before it disappeared into the woods.

Soon we had Raccoon Dog at the roadside in car lights. We watched this cute little mammal for several minutes.

Day 7

Short night and then out again. Morning was unfortunately very quiet mammal wise. We had few Mountain Hares and Roe Deers. We also had two Black Woodpeckers. Probably the most exciting bird was a male Hen Harrier, hunting on a nice field. The bird which you see nowadays less and less.

Afternoon we met with Uudo, the man who is the top specialist of Siberian Flying Squirrels. He has studied those endangered mammals around 30 years and it was a real privilege to get part of his nature conservation work. We visited Flying Squirrel habitats and also saw evidence of those nocturnal mammals. Small pellets under the aspen trees was a clear sign that there are still some Siberian Flying Squirrels around.

Uudo told us that one radio collar had stopped working, so our evening mission was to catch that individual to replace the battery. We put up traps and then stayed away.

Meanwhile we visited high watching tower, enjoyed sunset with some flocks of migrating geese in the sky.

Although we had previous evidence what holes are most often used by the Flying Squirrels, we didn't have any success to catch that cute fellow. But that's the reality of nature watching.

Day 8

As the flight was fairly early, we had to take straight drive to Tallinn. Last bird we had in our bird list, was another excitment for our leader, Tarvo. One Black Kite was soaring just above the highway and we made brief stop to make some photos. Our trip ended with 166 species of birds and 11 species of mammals.

List of birds:

1. Mute Swan
2. Tundra Bean Goose – 500+ on 8.5 at Harju-Risti fields, few at Aardla polder on 11.5
3. White-fronted Goose – thousands
4. Barnacle Goose - 3500+ at Matsalu NP on 10.5
5. Greylag Goose
6. Shelduck
7. Gadwall
8. Teal
9. Mallard
10. Garganey
11. Shoveler
12. Tufted Duck
13. Greater Scaup – small numbers at cape Põõsaspea on 10.5
14. Common Eider
15. Long-tailed Duck – 50+ at cape Põõsaspea on 10.5
16. Common Scoter
17. Velvet Scoter
18. Goldeneye
19. Red-breasted Merganser
20. Goosander
21. Black Grouse – 1 F on 8.5 at Vihterpalu, 25 M 2 F on 9.5 in northwest, 1 F in northeast on 13.5, 1F 1 M in northeast on 14.5
22. Capercaillie – 1 M and 2 F at Nõva forests on 9.5
23. Grey Partridge – 2 ind. at Martna fields on 9.05
24. Red-throated Diver – small numbers at Cape Põõsaspea on 10.5
25. Black-throated Diver – small numbers at Cape Põõsaspea on 10.5
26. Great Crested Grebe
27. Red-necked Grebe – 2 at Paljassaare on 8.5, 4 at Aardla on 11.5
28. Slavonian Grebe – 9 at Haapsalu on 9.5
29. Cormorant
30. Bittern – heard only
31. Great White Egret – 2 at Kärevere on 11.5
32. Grey Heron
33. White Stork
34. Honey Buzzard – 1 ind seen only by Paul
35. Black Kite – 1 en route to Tallinn on 15.5
36. White-tailed Eagle – seen on 3 days including at least 6 individuals
37. Marsh Harrier
38. Montagus Harrier – seen on 4 days
39. Hen Harrier – one adult male at Oonurme on 14.5
40. Sparrowhawk
41. Common Buzzard
42. Rough-legged Buzzard – 2 at Variku fields on 9.5
43. Lesser Spotted Eagle – 1 near Viljandi on 10.5
44. Golden Eagle – 1 at Variku fields on 9.5
45. Osprey – 1 at Mehikoorma on 11.5
46. Kestrel
47. Hobby – seen on 5 days
48. Peregrine Falcon – 1 at Rannajõe tower on 9.5, 1 at Laeva polder on 12.5
49. Water Rail – heard only
50. Corncrake – heard only
51. Moorhen – heard only
52. Coot
53. Crane
54. Oystercatcher
55. Avocet – 9 at Puise peninsula on 10.5
56. Ringed Plover
57. Golden Plover
58. Lapwing
59. Temminkcs Stint – 6 at Puise peninsula on 10.5
60. Dunlin
61. Ruff – seen on 5 days. 800+ at Laeva polder on 12.5
62. Common Snipe
63. Great Snipe – 4 lekking males at Kärevere on 11.5
64. Woodcock
65. Black-tailed Godwit
66. Curlew
67. Spotted Redshank
68. Redshank
69. Greenshank
70. Green Sandpiper
71. Wood Sandpiper
72. Common Sandpiper
73. Little Gull
74. Black-headed Gull
75. Common Gull
76. Herring Gull
77. Kittiwake – 1 cy bird at Dirhami harbour on 8.5
78. Common Tern
79. Arctic Tern
80. Black Tern
81. White-winged Tern – 2 at Aardla wetland on 11.5
82. Feral Pigeon
83. Stock Dove
84. Wood Pigeon
85. Cuckoo
86. Ural Owl – brief views of one bird in car headlights at Alutaguse on 13.5. Seen only by tour leader and 2 participants
87. Short-eared Owl – 1 at Spithami on 10.5
88. Swift
89. Wryneck
90. Black Woodpecker – one drumming at Järvselja on 11.5, 2 birds seen at Alutaguse on 14.5
91. Great Spotted Woodpecker
92. White-backed Woodpecker – 1 male at Järvselja on 11.5, male and female at Alutaguse on 13.5
93. Three-toed Woodpecker – 1 male at Alutaguse on 13.5
94. Wood Lark – heard only
95. Skylark
96. Sand Martin
97. Barn Swallow
98. House Martin
99. Tree Pipit
100. Meadow Pipit
101. Red-throated Pipit – heard only at cape Põõsaspea on 10.5
102. Yellow Wagtail
103. Citrine Wagtail – 2-3 males at Aardla on 11.5, 1 male at Laeva polder on 12.5
104. White Wagtail
105. Waxwing – one at Spithami on 10.5
106. Wren
107. Dunnock
108. Robin
109. Thrush Nightingale – heard only
110. Bluethroat – 1 M at Paljassaare on 8.5, 3 M and 1 F at Spithami on 10.5, 2 M and 1 F at Aardla on 11.5
111. Black Redstart
112. Redstart
113. Whinchat
114. Wheatear
115. Blackbird
116. Fieldfare
117. Song Thrush
118. Mistle Thrush
119. Grasshopper Warbler – heard only
120. Savis Warbler – several seen during boat trip at Matsalu on 9.5
121. Sedge Warbler
122. Reed Warbler
123. Great Reed Warbler
124. Icterine Warbler
125. Blackcap
126. Lesser Whitethroat
127. Whitethroat
128. Wood Warbler
129. Chiffchaff
130. Willow Warbler
131. Goldcrest
132. Spotted Flycatcher
133. Red-breasted Flycatcher
134. Pied Flycatcher
135. Bearded Reedling – 1-2 at Paljassaare on 8.5
136. Marsh Tit
137. Coal Tit – heard only
138. Blue Tit
139. Crested Tit
140. Great Tit
141. Nuthatch
142. Treecreeper
143. Penduline Tit – 1 at Paljassaare on 8.5
144. Red-backed Shrike – 2 at Alutaguse on 13.5
145. Eurasian Jay
146. Magpie
147. Nutcracker – 1 at Järvselja on 11.5
148. Jackdaw
149. Rook
150. Hooded Crow
151. Raven
152. Starling
153. House Sparrow
154. Tree Sparrow
155. Chaffinch
156. Serin – 2 males at Mehikoorma on 11.5
157. Greenfinch
158. Goldfinch
159. Siskin
160. Linnet
161. Common Crossbill
162. Bullfinch
163. Hawfinch
164. Yellowhammer
165. Ortolan Bunting – heard only
166. Reed Bunting

List of mammals:

1. European Hare
2. Mountain Hare – 6 at Alutaguse on 13.5, 1 at Alutaguse on 14.5
3. Red Squirrel – 2 near Linnamäe on 9.5, 1 at Alutaguse on 12.5
4. European Beaver – 7 at Matsalu NP from the boat on 9.5
5. Red Fox
6. Raccoon Dog – 2 at Alutaguse on 12.5, 4 at Alutaguse on 13.5
7. Elk – 2 at Matsalu NP on 9.5
8. Roe Deer – the most common mammal
9. American Mink – 3 at Matsalu NP on 9.5
10. Grey Seal – 3 at Dirhami harbour on 8.5
11. Pine Marten – 1 at Järvselja on 11.5. Seen only by Paul and Yasuko