Estonian Nature Tours

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Aasta lind 2015 on viu

Eesti Ornitoloogiaühingu avatud suvepäevadel kuulutati välja aasta lind 2015, kelleks on viu. Eestis võib kohata kolme liiki viusid: meie arvukaim ja seetõttu üks tuntumaid kullilisi hiireviu, põneva ja varjatud eluviisiga herilaseviu ning talvituv karvasjalg-viu ehk taliviu. Nad on välimuselt väga sarnased, kuid eluviisidelt küllalt erinevad linnuliigid. Just seetõttu pööratakse viuaastal tähelepanu nii nende eluviisi tutvustamisele kui ka eristamisele üksteisest ja teistest röövlindudest. Eesti Ornitoloogiaühing valib aasta lindu alates 1995. aastast ning viud on järjekorras kahekümne esimesed.

Hiireviu (Buteo buteo) / Allikas: Wikipedia

Karvasjalg-viu (Buteo lagopus) / Allikas: Wikipedia

Herilaseviu (Pernis apivorus) / Allikas: Wikipedia

Viu on 21. aasta lind. Aasta linnu valimise eesmärk on tutvustada avalikkusele üht meil esinevat linnuliiki või liigirühma ning kaasata loodushuvilisi aasta linnu uurimise ja kaitse tegevustesse. Varasemate aasta lindudega saab tutvuda Eesti Ornitoloogiaühingu kodulehel.

Allikas: Eesti Ornitoloogiaühing

Bird of the year 2015 is Buzzard

Estonian Ornithological Society proclaimed at the open summer assembly that bird of the year 2015 will be Buzzard. Three species can be found in Estonia: Common Buzzard, which is the most numerous and therefore the best known bird of prey, Honey Buzzard, which leads hidden and exciting way of life and Rough-legged Buzzard - our winter guest.

They share more or less similar appearance, but differ in their lifestyle. That is why the next year will be devoted to making these species more familiar to the public as well as teaching how to differentiate them from each other and from other raptor species. Estonian Ornithological Society has chosen the bird of the year since 1995 and the buzzards are the 21st Bird of the Year so far.

Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) / Source: Wikipedia

Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus) / Source: Wikipedia

European Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus) / Source: Wikipedia

The main purpose of this is to highlight one bird species or species group and involve as many nature-lovers as possible in research and protection activities.

Source: Estonian Ornithological Society

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Estonian Nature Tours (ENT) toetab Natura toetuse taotlejate vahel loositud õpperetke läbiviimist

Erametsakeskus loosis koostöös Eestimaa Looduse Fondiga e-PRIA kaudu Natura toetuse taotluse esitanute seast välja 4 õnnelikku, kel on koos kaaslasega võimalik osaleda õpperetkel lendorava elupaikadesse. Õpperetke läbiviimist toetab Estonian Nature Tours. Retke juhendavad tuntud zooloog Uudo Timm ja mükoloog Indrek Sell. Uudo Timm räägib enam kui 20 aasta vältel tehtud uuringute tulemustest ning selgitab, milline on lendoravate olukord Eestis, millised on nende elupaiga vajadused, mida tuleb järgida lendorava metsade majandamisel. Indrek Sell juhatab osalejad vanades loodusmetsades kasvavate seente maailma ning loodetavasti näeme ka teisi piirkonnale iseloomulikke liike ja loodusväärtusi.

Auhinnaretk toimub 12.juulil 2014. Võitjateks osutusid: Aivar Lambing, Heino Ige, Celia Roose ja Rein Ruut. Palju õnne!

Estonian Nature Tours hoolib, toetades lendoravauuringuid alates aastast 2010 ja Noore Looduskaitsja Auhinda alates aastast 2005.

Lendorav (Pteromys volans) / Rainar Kurbel

Uudo Timm retke läbi viimas

Estonian Nature Tours (ENT) is supporting a study tour, drawn among applicants for Natura subsidy

“SA Erametsakeskus” (Forest Centre) in cooperation with Estonian Fund for Nature was drawing via e-PRIA four lucky Natura subsidy applicants, who can participate with a companion in a study trip to Flying Squirrel habitats.
The study trip is supported by Estonian Nature Tours and supervised by a wellknown zoologist Uudo Timm and a mycologist Indrek Sell. Uudo Timm is presenting the results of research work of more than 20 years. He is also describing the conditions of Flying Squirrels in Estonia, explaining their needs for habitat and revealing the restrictions of forest management in relevant forest sites.
Indrek Sell is taking the participants to the kingdom of fungi of old-growth forests while other characteristic species and natural values will hopefully be seen.
The prize trip will take place in July 12 this year.
The winners are: Aivar Lambing, Heino Ige, Celia Roose and Rein Ruut. Congrats!

Estonian Nature Tours is caring, having supported Flying Squirrel research work since 2010 and the Young Conservationist Award since 2005.

Flying Squirrel (Pteromys volans) / Rainar Kurbel

Flying Squirrel trip with Uudo Timm

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Bears and Orchids 18-22 June. Clients are talking...

„Dear Marika,

Firstly I would like to thank you, Peeter and Tuuli for a splendid five days in Estonia. The food, accommodation, itinerary and company were all perfect. Great sites, great orchids and flora, good birds and very comfortable accommodation and tasty local food which Brian and I very much enjoyed. Brian and I were most impressed with the high level of professional service provided.

I'm busy trying to convince my wife that a return trip for dragonflies and birds in August is a must! Best regards. Keith.“ / UK / 2014

Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) / Keith Wilson

„Dear Marika, Tuuli, Keith, and Brian,
it has been a pleasure to spend some days looking for orchids, birds and bears in the interesting and lovely Estonia, a country which is plenty of opportunities for nature lovers. Our goal will be to promote this country among Italian people, showing the beauty of the flora, fauna and culture of Estonia and to do that we will produce a video in Italian with English subtitles. As soon as it is ready, we will glad to allow you to watch it on Youtube.
We are collecting notes and sketches on our field books, like the Brown Bear above, and we will be glad to share them with you.
Best regards.“ Gloria and Francesco / Italy-Oasis magazine / 2014

Sketch is drawn by Francesco Petretti

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

DO NOT MISS!

See below the selection of Birdwatching & other Wildlife holidays we still have on offer for Summer/Autumn 2014.

Dragonfly Holiday in Estonia
Fri 1st Aug - Fri 8th Aug
Four places available!
An 8-day wildlife holiday in search of the dragonflies (and butterflies) of Estonia, amongst them a fine selection of rare species as Siberian Winter Damsel, Azure Hawker, Green hawker, Bog Hawker, Baltic Hawker, Dark Whiteface, Spearhead Bluet, Yellow-Spotted Emerald as well as Baltic Grayling, Scarce Heath, Scarce Fritillary, Frigga's Fritillary, Bog Fritillary, Cranberry Blue, Clouded Apollo, Northern Chequered Skipper, Poplar Admiral etc. Read more...

Group size: 6/8 pax   3 places available
Local guide: Erki Õunap
Price: 1250 € per person
T: +372 5349 6695 | E: info@naturetours.ee
for your free Trip itinerary
www.naturetours.ee

Siberian Winter Damselfly / Peeter Vissak

Estonia in Autumn

Fri 19th Sep - Fri 26th Sep
Six places available!

An 8 day holiday focusing on the spectacular bird migration in Western Estonia. Estonia in the autumn is a magnificent destination for the birdwatcher who wants to see forest species, such as woodpeckers and forest grouse, together with raptors and arctic migration, with that added touch of eastern rarities and even some mammals. In western Estonia, wetlands are always full of life in the autumn. From early September until late October, thousands of ducks, geese and cranes use these wetlands as their last feeding and roosting grounds before their final migration to the wintering sites. The sight of tens of thousands of common birds like Chaffinch and Brambling can be very impressive and these can include large numbers of Goldcrests, Northern Wheatears and Common Starlings. Read more...

Group size: 6/8 pax

Local guide: Kaarel Võhandu

Price: 1150 € per person

T: +372 5349 6695 | E: info@naturetours.ee
for your free Trip itinerary
www.naturetours.ee

Common Cranes / Remo Savisaar

Mammals and Birds in Estonia

Fri 26th Sep - Fri 3rd Oct

An 8-day fully-inclusive holiday amongst unique, untouched nature with winding rivers, vast floodplains, mires, bogs and primeval forests. We will search for mammals including Racoon Dog, Red Fox, European Beaver, Wild Boar, Elk, Roe Deer and Brown Bears and enjoy birdwatching as well. Estonia including several European rarities, the most endagered examples being the European Mink, several species of dormouse and the Flying Squirrel. Read more...

Group size: 4/8 pax

Local guide: Margus Pensa

Price: 1495 € per person

T: +372 5349 6695 | E: info@naturetours.ee
for your free Trip itinerary
www.naturetours.ee

Elk / Luke Massey

Migration Hotspots

Fri 3rd Oct - Fri 10th Oct

Three places available!

An 8-day holiday focusing on the most dramatic autumn bird migration locations in Estonia. Estonia has been chosen to appear among the elite 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 acrucial country for birds and a visit or two should be on every birder's itinerary! Read more...

Group size: 6/8 pax

Local guide: Tarvo Valker

Price: 1150 € per person

T: +372 5349 6695 | E: info@naturetours.ee
for your free Trip itinerary
www.naturetours.ee

Pochards and Tufted ducks at Matsalu bay / Mati Kose

Brown Bears and Birds in Estonia

Wed 8th Oct - Sun 12th Oct
An 5-day fully-inclusive holiday focusing on the spectacular bird migration and Brown Bear tracking and watching. Estonia in the autumn is a magnificent destination for the birdwatcher who wants to see forest species, such as woodpeckers and forest grouse, together with raptors and arctic migration, with that added touch of eastern rarities and even some mammals. In western Estonia, wetlands are always full of life in the autumn. From early September until late October, thousands of ducks, geese and cranes use these wetlands as their last feeding and roosting grounds before their final migration to the wintering sites. The sight of tens of thousands of common birds like Chaffinch and Brambling can be very impressive and these can include large numbers of Goldcrests, Northern Wheatears and Common Starlings. Read more...

Group size: 6/8 pax

Local guide: Kaarel Võhandu

Price: 955 € per person

T: +372 5349 6695 | E: info@naturetours.ee
for your free Trip itinerary
www.naturetours.ee

Brown Bear / Luke Massey

Monday, May 26, 2014

Loodus kutsub – garantii vaid 10 euro eest! *

Meiega näed rohkem...
www.naturetours.ee

Estonian Nature Tours´i elamusretkede hinnad on nüüd erakordselt taskukohased. Pole vahet, kas soovid retkele tulla üksi või kaksi, sõprade või perega, töökaaslaste või klientidega, garantiipileti hind on inimeste arvust sõltumata 10 eurot täiskasvanu ja 5 eurot lapse kohta.

Mida tähendab garantiipilet?

Looduses olles me ei räägi ainult, me näitame ka. Kui nõustud meie retketingimustega (väike grupp, varajane ärkamine või hiline lõpetamine, rahulik ja kannatlik käitumine), võid looduses olles näha rohkem kui nii mõnigi teine terve elu jooksul.
Sellist garantiid ei saa pakkuda ühe sõrmenipsuga. Õnnestunud retkedele on eelnenud aastatepikkune eeltöö, mille käigus on jälgitud loomade ja lindude käitumist erinevatel kellaaegadel erinevates elupaikades. Sestap küsime ka piletiraha :)
* Retke nimetuses mainitud elamuse, linnu-, looma- või taimeliigi mittenägemisel makstakse garantiiraha tagasi (nõudmisel).

Vali endale altpoolt meelepärane retk ja lepi kokku kuupäev: raili@naturetours.ee / tel: +372 5695 0350

Kopra-paadisõit Matsalus

Garantiipilet: 10 €/ täisk. ja 5 €/ lastele

Giid + paat: 200 €

Piknikukorv: 8 €/ in. (kuid mitte vähem kui 32 €)
Grupi suurus: max 10 in.