Estonia
Destination
7 days
duration
1/5
Difficulty
100m
height difference
Min-Max 4-12
group

This trip takes you to two of Estonia’s best wilderness areas: Western Estonia – Matsalu National Park and Lahemaa National Park in North Estonia.
After long Nordic winter the snow has melted and the wilderness is bursting into life. Bird and mammal life is active, providing good opportunities to watch them in various natural habitats.

Western Estonia is one of the world’s major bird migration zones, serving as a crossing point for Arctic waterfowl migrating along the East Atlantic Flyway. In springtime, over 50 million water and coastal birds are attracted by the abundant Estonian coastal wetlands. Many of these birds stop to prepare for the long journey to their Russian Arctic breeding grounds.
The broad and well-maintained coastal meadows and floodplains of Matsalu National Park provide habitats beneficial for elks. In spring you can see elks feeding on the coastal meadows or spot them near forest roads.

In the spring, owls and woodpeckers start to call and drum in forests to mark their home territory. We will visit different woodpecker and owl habitats, hoping to hear and see the birds in action. Majestic Capercaillie gather in their spring lekking spots to sort out their right to mate and can be observed on small quiet forest roads where they look for small gravel stones. Black Grouse are seen lekking on fields.

You will also experience a visit to the thousand-year-old bog with picturesque views of its bog-pools and tiny pines. An easy walk on a comfortable wooded trail will take you to see unique plants and mosses in the enchanting quietness of the bog wilderness.

In Tallinn Old Town, the busiest tourism season is jet to start, and the atmosphere is peaceful and cosy.

Destination: Estonia
Dates: 15th April
Available places per trip: 12 persons (minimum 4 persons)
Duration: 7 days (6 nights)
Place of arrival and departure: Tallin airport
Price of trip: 1300 €
Observations:

  • Price includes:

    • Nature guide services for 7 days,
    • 6 nights in local hotels and guesthouses (twin rooms with toilet and shower),
    • local transport,
    • breakfast, lunch package and dinner on 5 days,
    • Guided tour of Old Town Tallinn.PRICE DOESN’T INCLUDE FLIGHTS

1

Day 1:

Arrival and owls. Right after arrival we will take a 1,5 hour drive to Western-Estonia. On the evining we try to spot Ural owl and Europes smallest owl, Pygmy owl. Latter, despite of being the size of a Blackbird, is a fearless raptor.

2

Day 2:

Eks and birds mass migration in Matsalu National Park. Matsalu National Park is one of the most important bird protection areas in Europe. It is surrounded by various habitats attractive and well suited to bird life. The rest and feed on coastal meadows, reed beds, shallow sea bays and islands. 170 different bird species nest here but segmented habitats and protection areas where human activity is strictly regulated offer good conditions for elks and beavers. Many watchtowers and nature trails let you easily enjoy the sights and sounds as thousands of birds fly overhead. This will be a full day in Matsalu National Park to observe birds mass migration and elks. Species: White-tailed Eagle, Goldeneyes, Bewick’s Swan, Whooper Swan, White-fronted Geese, Bean Geese, Barnacle Geese, Caspian Tern, Common Gull, Arctic Tern, Smew, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Great Grey Shrike.

3

Day 3:

Black grouse, Capercaillie , Hazel grouse. Arctic waterbirds in Põõsaspea peninsula. We wake up early to drive to Läänemaa-Suursoo’s (Lääne County Big-bog) best Black Grouse lekking spots. Meadows near the bog host leks with even 20-30 male grouses. Area has good habitats for spotting Cpaercaillie and Hazel grouse in the early morning hours. Then we drive to Estonias most North-Western peninsula, narrow strip of land reaching far to the sea, Põõsaspea, to observe birds migrating to North. This place is excellent for watching arctic waterbird mass migration. Species: Velvet Scoters, Black Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Goldeneye, Greater Scaup, Tufted Duck , Common Eider, Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver, Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, Waxwing, Rough-legged Buzzard.

4

Day 4:

Medieval Tallinn Old Town Drive to Tallinn. Guided tour in enchanting medieval Tallinn Old Town. The well-preserved medieval town structure and surroundings of Tallinn Old Town, originating from the 11th to 15th Centuries, give it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Streets and houses have been protected by a mostly intact city wall, complete with guard towers. Buildings, churches, merchant and craftsman houses maintain their centuries-old authenticity. Nowadays cozy cafes, boutiques and art galleries add vibrant life to the medieval atmosphere. Night in Tallinn

5

Day 5:

Taiga forests in Lahemaa National Park Drive to North Estonia to Lahemaa National Park. Lahemaa National Park is the oldest National Park in Estonia (and also the oldest among of all former Soviet Union countries). It represents very well the most valuable aspects of Estonian Nature. It has a lot of taiga forest, several peat-bogs, beautiful Nordic coastline, scenic rivers with waterfalls, erratic boulders and nice cultural landscape. We will walk in taiga forest because it is the best habitat to spot Three-toed Woodpecker and White-backed Woodpecker- both very rare in Europe. On the coastline we will see huge erratic boulders carried by the ice here during last ice-age 12 000 years ago and also spot some water birds. Species: Willow Tit, Marsh Tit, Crested Tit , Long-tailed Tit, Common Crossbill, Nutcracker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

6

Day 6:

Bog: Kõnnu-Suursoo About 50% of Estonia is covered by forests and 25% with bogs and swamps. Bogs started to develop after the last ice age, about 12,000 years ago. Raised bogs are like huge sponges that hold vast amounts of water in the peat. The peat layer is up to 8 metres thick. They have a mosaic-like structure with bog-pools that resemble little ponds surrounded by tiny pine trees. In every direction, you will spot interesting plants and mosses. We will visit Kõnnu Suursoo, a huge bog near Lahemaa National Park. There are wooden pathways and watching towers in this bog and walking is easy. Species: European Golden Plover, Common Redshank, Wood Sandpiper, Meadow Pipit

7

Day 7:

Departure. Drive to Tallinn and flight back home.

Map

Who is this product for?

This travel is for nature lovers and birdwatchers. You can do it alone, with the family, with your couple, or with your friends.

You don’t need a special level of fitness: most of the trips are done by car, and the walks don’t have any remarkable difficulty.

The meteorology in this season is very changeable, but usually it’s very cold.

You come to see birds in a cold and windy region, so come warned. Good socks, hot trousers, gloves.

• local English speaking nature guide services for 7 days, • 4 nights in hotels and guesthouses; toilet and shower in the room. • 5 dinners and 5 lunch packages, 6 breakfasts • Transport in Estonia • Ferry tickets to Hiiumaa • Night in brown bear watching hide • Bog-shoeing tour • Guided tour of Tallinn Old Town • 2 Days kayaking in Hiiumaa islets- kayaks, gear rent, tents, sleeping bags