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Estonia
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©Pete Coe/Nature Portfolio  Elk |
On the shores of the Eastern Baltic is a country of wetlands and forests, where vast numbers of birds concentrate each spring before they fly on to their breeding grounds in arctic Finland and Russia. Join us in one of Europe's newest and most brilliant birdwatching destinations - Estonia!Few places in Europe can match the excitement of watching Estonia's amazing wildlife, making it one of the best birdwatching countries we know. In late April and early May, birds, especially wildfowl and waders, pass through in their millions, staying to feed for a while before pushing on northwards to the tundra and forests of Lapland.Our visit is timed to meet the Common and Velvet Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Red-throated and Black-throated Divers, skeins of Barnacle, Bean and White-fronted Geese (with the occasional Lesser White-fronted Goose) which are migrating up the Baltic Sea. We will also enjoy Black Storks (and maybe Beavers) in ancient forests, Corn Crakes in Cowslip-covered fields, lekking Great Snipes (seen on each of our three previous trips) with Blackcock and Elk (known as Moose in the US) in the marshes. It is not just this superb mix of wildlife which makes this such a brilliant trip. Time has stood still in Estonia, a country still caught in a wonderful time warp, where the farms are rustic and agricultural techniques favour birds and man. The country is beautiful, mainly rural with pretty landscapes and rustic buildings (a little like Old England between the wars). The accommodation is good throughout with wholesome meals and friendly staff. Roads are good and distances small giving lots of time for experiencing the wildlife. The vast flocks of wildfowl include handsome Smew, and this natural bounty attracts predators such as White-tailed, Lesser Spotted and Golden Eagles. Other possibilities include Capercaillie, Caspian Tern, Lesser Spotted and White-backed Woodpeckers, Citrine Wagtail, Grasshopper and Savi's Warblers, Thrush Nightingale and Brambling. Mammals include Mountain Hare, Red Squirrel and Elk. We start at one of Europe's most important wetlands – Matsalu Bay. A huge, shallow bay on the Baltic coast, the area has more than 300,000 ducks, geese and Cranes passing through each spring and attendant raptors including White-tailed Eagle. Surrounding freshwater marshes have an excellent variety of breeding birds, with waders and reedbed species. Not far away to the south is a very different area of peat bog and forest, with a remarkable combination of northern and eastern species that include owls, woodpeckers, Capercaillie and Hazel Grouse. Finally we head inland to Tartu, near the Russian border, for marshland birds including breeding Great Snipe, which we hope to watch as they display at dusk. Our good friends at Finnature, who run our highly successful tours in Lapland and Finland, are again guiding us here. This will be Tim Earl's fourth trip to the country. Itinerary Days 1 - 3 We take a scheduled flight from London to Tallinn via Helsinki, and meet our Finnish guide at the airport, before travelling to Haapsalu. The journey is through open farmland, and we should see our first Cranes and White Storks on the journey. Next morning we will spend some time watching birds in Haapsalu Bay, with Goosander and Smew in immaculate breeding plumage. We then head north to a marshland where Bitterns boom and White-tailed Eagles sometimes join the local Marsh Harriers. Matsalu Bay, on Estonia's west coast, is one of Europe's great wetlands, a vast shallow bay no more than four metres deep anywhere. Here we will be greeted with the sight of masses of Whooper and Bewick's Swans, Barnacle, Bean and White-fronted Geese and huge flocks of ducks, together with Cranes, waders, and arriving terns. Several pairs of White-tailed Eagles patrol the area and we hope to see one or two. The fantastic variety of habitats in the area include reedbeds, flooded meadows and scattered islands. Behind the coastal meadows are deciduous or mixed forests. Here we will go out in the early morning and late evening in search of Woodcock, Capercaillie, Black and Hazel Grouse and ghost-like Elk – all seen on our last visit. The conifers also hold Parrot Crossbill and Nutcracker (although these are difficult to see in spring), while raptors include Goshawk. One morning we will visit the Spithami promontory, an excellent watch-point to view the thousands of Barnacle Geese, Whooper and Bewick's Swans, Long-tailed Ducks, Velvet and Common Scoters, Smew, Red-throated and Black-throated Divers, Common, Arctic and possibly Caspian Terns, and Red-necked, Slavonian and Black-necked Grebes that will be passing through. The sight of hundreds of Long-tailed Duck on the sea on our last visit was unforgettable. Three nights Haapsalu Days 4 - 5 We drive south via Pärnu to Häärdemeeste, where we stay for two nights amid the superb ancient forests of the area. From here we visit the Soomaa Reserve and Nigula Bog, with habitats including peat bog, pools and forest. In the forests we look for Nutcracker, Hawfinch, Lesser Spotted and White-backed Woodpeckers. Raptors are excellent, and include Lesser Spotted Eagle and Rough-legged Buzzard. In the evenings we look for local owls - Ural, Pygmy and Tengmalm's Owl all occur here. An early morning visit may reveal Capercaillie displaying, and Hazel Grouse can also be found, while mammals include European Beaver, Elk and other deer. The marsh itself is home to a few pairs of Cranes, a fine selection of waders including breeding Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits, with Elk also browsing along the edges. Kabli Bird Station is one of the migration watch-points here, and we hope to visit when migrating birds are streaming through. The coast will have more sea-duck and geese, and may also hold Little and Caspian Terns and large numbers of Little Gulls. Nearby freshwater marshes have breeding Bittern, with Savi's and Great Reed Warblers as well as other reedbed species. Two nights Häärdemeeste Days 6 - 7 Today we head inland to Tartu, close to the Russian border, where the riverside marshes hold a fine array of breeding species. These include Great Snipe, and we hope to go out one evening to watch these remarkable birds at the lek. Other evening species include roding Woodcock and possible Long-eared Owl. Migrants include Grasshopper, Savi's and Icterine Warblers, with Pied Flycatcher, Thrush Nightingale and Redstart making up a varied supporting cast. Two nights Tartu Day 8 We travel back to Tallinn airport, hopefully with some time for a look at the old city of Tallinn, before our afternoon flight home. Accommodation: Good quality hotels with all rooms en suite. Leaders: Tim Earl and a Finnature guide |
| Numbers: |
Max. 12 clients |
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| Price: | £ | 1,395 | ||
| Single supp.: | £ | 105 | ||
| Deposit: | £ | 300 | per person | |
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The price is per person and includes scheduled return flights London-Tallinn, airport taxes, accommodation, all meals, incidental tips, transport and the services of the leaders.
The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tips to the local driver & guides, drinks, and other personal expenses. This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays. |
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