Early spring birding tour
About
This is one of the most popular tours amongst UK birders allowing to combine seeing wintering Steller’s Eiders plus breeding Woodpeckers, Owls and Grouse in just one short holiday! Best timing for this tour is from mid March until second week of April.
After arriving to Tallinn airport we will be heading to Northwest Estonia to look for the Ural and Eurasian Pygmy Owls in the forests around Leidissoo Nature Reserve.
Birding on Saaremaa island will allow us to see one of the most wanted seaduck in the Europe – Steller´s Eider. In the early spring birds often flock in the harbours there they are sometimes just 50-100 meters from us. Other seaducks here include thousands of Long-tailed Ducks, good numbers of Velvet Scoters and Scaup.
Our last part of the trip takes us to the western taiga forests in the Soomaa National Park. It´s a Woodpecker heaven. Often we manage to see 7 species of Woodpeckers on this tour, including Three-toed, Grey-headed, White-backed and Black. Soomaa is also known hotspot for the Capercaillies while it´s smaller cousin – elusive Hazel Grouse are breeding also here.
Berside birds, early spring trip is often also good for mammals. Moose are seen in most trips while Lynx activity is also at it´s peak and with very good luck we might see one while birding in the forests!
After arriving to Tallinn airport we will be heading to Northwest Estonia to look for the Ural and Eurasian Pygmy Owls in the forests around Leidissoo Nature Reserve.
Birding on Saaremaa island will allow us to see one of the most wanted seaduck in the Europe – Steller´s Eider. In the early spring birds often flock in the harbours there they are sometimes just 50-100 meters from us. Other seaducks here include thousands of Long-tailed Ducks, good numbers of Velvet Scoters and Scaup.
Our last part of the trip takes us to the western taiga forests in the Soomaa National Park. It´s a Woodpecker heaven. Often we manage to see 7 species of Woodpeckers on this tour, including Three-toed, Grey-headed, White-backed and Black. Soomaa is also known hotspot for the Capercaillies while it´s smaller cousin – elusive Hazel Grouse are breeding also here.
Berside birds, early spring trip is often also good for mammals. Moose are seen in most trips while Lynx activity is also at it´s peak and with very good luck we might see one while birding in the forests!
Tour profile
Duration
6 days
Price
1150 euros
Practical Information
- Pick-up Possible on request
Tour itinerary
Day 1 – arrival to Tallinn, evening birding in the Leidissoo forests Day 2 – birding in Marimetsa Nature Reserve and Matsalu National Park, drive to Saaremaa island in the late afternoon Day 3 – full birding day on Saaremaa island – Steller´s Eiders plus other seaducks Day 4 – drive to the mainland, birding in the woodlands near Pärnu Day 5 – full birding day in Soomaa National Park Day 6 – departure
