Our timing was perfect - we witnessed one of the great spectacles of Estonian nature – the great lift-off of migrating arctic waterfowl. The peak arrived at May 11th —
suddenly the bubbling sound of the Black Grouse lek in Marimetsa bog was poured over with a waterfall of honking noises of the flocks of Barnacle Geese. During the day we saw about hundred thousands Barnacle Geese flying NE followed by millions of Long-Tailed Ducks and Velvet and Black Scoters later in the evening and night.
Good Luck:
- A pair of Red-Crested Pochards swimming just behind the windows of the restaurant of Hotel “Promenaadi” in Haapsalu
- Although Réal had Red-Breasted Goose in his wish list I had told him to forget about this species, because I had seen one bird already in the season (I have never had twice a luck with a lottery-ticket and most of the geese flocks had left the country anyway!). Yet we discovered five Red Breasted Geese in a huge flock of Barnacle Geese at Põgari coastal meadow.
- Greater Spotted Eagle spotted side by side with Lesser Spotted Eagle at Aardla polder near Tartu offered a good comparison of the size and plumage of these close species.
- We found a nest of White-Backed Woodpeckers and saw very well both adults.
- A pair of White Egrets was seen at Emajõgi River. This pair had a first recorded breeding attempt in Estonia this summer.
- Capercaillie was a priority species for Real. The lek is over in Mid-May and the best way to see the birds is to drive the gravel roads in good Capercaillie habitat. This time we drove hundreds of kilometres to see one bird just about 700 meters ahead in front of another car.
- Justified hope to see and hear Barred Warbler became a desperate search on May 13th, when we had to leave its typical habitats in W.-Estonian juniper stands. Probably it was just a couple of days too early for this species.
All in all the group identified 173 species
An art list from the trip (link)
Rein, Triin
