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)

Birds and Mammals in Estonia 4-11 October 2013

Early in October Luke Massey Images and Tarvo Valker led a Bird Watching magazine readers group around Estonia searching for an array of different birds. They hit the jackpot spotting over 100 species of bird including Hawk Owl, Golden Eagle, Parrot Crossbill, thousands of Barnacle Geese and many more. Though it wasn't just birds they found, amazingly the group saw a great number of mammals, including Elk, Foxes, Arctic Hares, Bears, Pine Martens, Beavers and even the extremely rare and elusive European Flying Squirrel. Autumn is a fantastic time to visit Estonia as birds are migrating through and mammals are out feeding before winter kicks in. See which tour suits you, from photography to orchid spotting.

„Last two days: amazing. Saw two brown bears, 6 raccoon dogs, pine marten, fox and a flying squirrel. All in all 12 different mammals and 105 species of birds. Best part of it: chasing the hawk owl with Luke trough the wilderness.“  B.H / Germany

Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) / Luke Massey

"On our first morning we witnessed a great sunrise right outside the hotel as it rose over the Baltic. As I was photographing the sunrise I heard the unmistakeable calls of cranes, moving out of their roost site to go feed in the surrounding fields. Cranes are making a comeback in the UK, with around 50 now living wild after a a successful reintroduction project." L.Massey / UK

Common Cranes (Grus grus) / Luke Massey

"Estonia is one of the top 10 destinations in the world for bird migration with hundreds of thousands of birds passing through every spring and autumn. Probably the biggest migration is of barnacle geese, throughout our time in the country we saw thousands of them either flying over or carpeting fields feeding up before continuing on their way." L.Massey / UK

Barnacle Geese (Branta leucopsis) / Luke Massey

"We managed to see loads of different stuff from European flying squirrels to hawk owls. I think the highlight for most of the group were the bears, we were incredibly lucky to see 2 bears and one appeared in broad daylight. Not wanting to scare it I didn't take any photos, so this shot is one of the only one I got at dusk at 1/8 second!" L.Massey / UK

 Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) / Luke Massey

ENT kutsub kandideerima Noore Looduskaitsja Auhinnale

Eestimaa Looduse Fond (ELF) ja Estonian Nature Tours kutsuvad noori looduskaitsjaid kandideerima tänavusele Noore Looduskaitsja Auhinnale, millega kaasneb 700-eurone stipendium. Kandideerimisavaldusi saab esitada kuni 25. novembrini aadressil elf@elfond.ee.

Estonian Nature Tours toetab rahaliselt Noore Looduskaitsja Auhinda alates 2005.a. Varasematel aastatel on Noore Looduskaitsja Auhinna pälvinud Renno Nellis, Asko Lõhmus, Peep Mardiste, Marek Sammul, Tarvo Valker (ENT giid), Murel Merivee, Ulvar Käärt ja Indrek Tammekänd.

Käesoleva aasta auhinnale on oodatud kandideerima looduskaitsjad, kes omavad väljapaistvaid saavutusi Eestimaa looduse kaitsel ning on passi või enesetunde järgi nooremad kui 35 aastat. Kandidaadid võivad töötada riiklikus, era- või mittetulundussektoris, samuti vabatahtlikuna. Kandideerida saab nii enda nimel kui ka esitada kellegi teise kandidatuuri.

Kandideerimiseks oodatakse avaldusi koos põhjendusega ELFi aadressil elf@elfond.ee hiljemalt 25. novembriks. Avalduses palume lisaks märkida kandidaadi ees- ja perekonnanimi, vanus, töökoht ja/või tegevusvaldkond ning olulisemad looduskaitselised tegemised ja saavutused.

Noore Looduskaitsja Auhinda antakse alates 2005.a. välja eesmärgiga toetada elujõulise ja aatelise looduskaitse püsimist Eestis läbi põlvkondade. Auhinna pälvija otsustab ELFi poolt kokku kutsutav žürii. Auhinnafondi toetab Estonian Nature Tours.

Tänavune auhind antakse võitjale üle ELFi vabatahtlike tänuüritusel, mis toimub 6. detsembril.

Täiendavat infot auhinna kohta leiab ELFi kodulehelt.

____________________________________________________

Estonian Fund for Nature (ELF) and the Estonian Nature Tours invite young ecologists to apply for this year's Young Conservationist Award, which involves scholarship of 700 euros.

Estonian Nature Tours supports the Young Conservationist Award since 2005. The purpose of the Young Conservationist Award is to promote viable and conceptual nature conservation in Estonia from generation to generation. This award has formerly been granted to Renno Nellis, Asko Lõhmus, Peep Mardiste, Marek Sammul, Tarvo Valker (ENT guide), Murel Merivee, Ulvar Käärt and Indrek Tammekänd.

Õppereis Matsalu rahvusparki

Viiendal oktoobril külastasid Matsalu rahvusparki Tallinna Linnamäe Vene Lütseumi seitsmenda klassi õpilased. Õppereisi käigus külastati Matsalu looduskeskust, Viita puisniitu ja alvarit, Suitsu vaatetorni ja matkarada ning sõideti paadiga Matsalu roostikus piki Suitsu ja Kasari jõge. Pärast lõunasööki külastati Metsküla-Salmi rannaniite, Keemu linnutorni ja Salevere Salumäge. Õpilased ja õpetajad jäid väga rahule. Estonian Nature Tours tänab kõiki lapsi, kes leidsid aega saata meile tagasisidet!

"Me olime Matsalu rahvuspargis viiendal oktoobril. Meile meeldis ekskursioon metsas, sõita paadiga, vaadata linde, looduse muuseum, tõusta tornile. Mets oli ilus,laulsid linnud.
Kõike head teile." / Anna, Ljuba ja Nadja 

 Loodusgiid  Marje Loide selgitab õpilastele mis on puisniit ja mis on alvar / N. Nilender

"Me tahame öelda, et:
see oli väga huviatav ekskursioon;
me saime teada palju uut,loomadest,lindudest ja taimedest;
meile väga meeldis paadisõit;
söök oli maitsev." / Liza ja Dasha

 

Suitsu vaatetorni juures / N. Nilender

"Ma olin koos klassiga Matsalu rahvuspargis. See oli huvitav reis, loodus oli väga ilus. Mulle väga meeldis. Aitäh!" / Edgars

"Meile meeldis ekskursioon. Aga kõige rohkem meile meeldis vaatetornil olla, meil oli väga lõbus metsas jalutada ja paadil sõita. Film oli natukene igav, aga me saime palju teada filmist. Meile väga meeldis söök, Oli vahva bussis sõita, meil oli väga lõbus. Suur aitäh teile ekskursiooni eest!
Soovime teile palju edu." / Sofia  ja Polina

"Mulle väga meeldis see eksukursioon. Mulle meeldis vaatetorn, vaadata linde oli  huvitav. Veel mulle meeldis sõita paadiga." / Nikita 

 

 Paadiga Kasari jõel / N. Nilender

"Me tahame öelda,et meile väga meeldis teie rahvuspark.
Kirillile meeldis kõik! Leonile meeldis ka kõik. Kõigepealt me ei tahtsime minna Matsalu Rahvusparki, aga meie emad ütlesid et me peame minema. Me arvame, et paadi sõit." / Kirill ja Leon

"Meie klass oli Matsalu rahvuspargis 5. oktoobril. Ja me tahame rääkida mis meile meeldis.
Anna: Mina kahjuks ei olnud Matsalu rahvuspargis, aga ma kuulsin, et kõigile seal väga meeldis. Järgmisel korral ma väga tahan sinna minna.
Evelina: Kõigepealt ma ei tahtnud minna Matsalu Rahvusparki. Aga kui ekskursioon löppes ma sain aru, et see park on väga ilus ja võluv. Kõige rohkem mulle meeldis paadisõit. Mulle ka meeldis vaatetorn, seal oli väga huvitav ja ilus vaatepilt. Kahjuks linnud lendasid juba arä. Veel mulle meeldis tasuta tee ja kohv. Ma rõõmuga tulen sinna veel üks kord koos sõpradega. Aitäh väga hea ekskursiooni eest." / Anna ja Evelina :)

 Suitsu matkarada / N. Nilender

"Meile meeldis ekskursioon Matsalus. Edgaril kõige rohkem meeldis paadi sõita ja mulle ka, aga veel mulle meeldis käia rajjat. Meile väga meeldis meie ekskursioon." / Ilja ja Edgar
 

"Me oleme väga tänulikud teile. Et te veetsite meiega ekskuriooni  5 oktoobril. Matsalus on väga huvitav et seal on väga palju taimed ja lindu .Äitäh teile muljete eest." / Kirill ja Georg

Matkarada Salevere Salumäel / N. Nilender

The Winners of the Questionnaire in British Birdfair 2013

For the third time Estonian Nature Tours offered a possibility to win a dream wildlife holiday to Estonia in British Birdfair 2013 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 49 people, 27 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: Birdwatching holiday Estonia- Great Snipe and Woodpeckers. Price 695 € - Mrs Durn

Lot 1: Brown Bear tracking and watching. Price 100 € - Mr Larsen
Lot 2: Flying Squirrel Study trip. Price 100 € - Mr Hutchins
Lot 3: Beaver boat-trip. Price 85 € - Mr Simms


Congratulations to everyone!

Click here to see Woodpeckers gallery...

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.

Three-toed woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus) / Sven Zacek

White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos) / Sven Zacek

 Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) / Remo Savisaar

Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus) / Luke Massey

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!

Look what an amazing event the Birdfair is...

See you again at the British Birdfair 2014!

Birdfair 2013. What´s new?

 

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

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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