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.