Estonia

Day 1
FLY TALLINN, TRANSFER TO MATSALU NATIONAL PARK
Our autumn birdwatching tour to Estonia begins with a flight to Tallinn, where Limosa guide Tarvo Valker will be waiting to meet us.

We head southwest from the capital for about 80 miles to our comfortable guesthouse in the Matsalu National Park where we stay for three nights. Night Matsalu

Days 2 - 3
HAAPSALU BAY, CAPE PÕÕSASPEA, PUISE PENINSULA, HAESKA TOWER AND OWL EVENING
The coastal promenade at Haapsalu affords views over Haapsalu Bay, famous as a place where thousands of wildfowl gather in autumn. Dabbling duck such as Wigeon and Gadwall are the most numerous, but we are also likely to see Goldeneye and Goosander. An autumn visit adds chances of Barnacle, White-fronted and Tundra Bean Geese flying by and opportunistic White-tailed Eagles on the look out for them!

Covering 400 km2 of land and coast, Matsalu's mosaic of coastal meadows, riparian and coastal woodlands, river delta and marshlands combine to create a wonderful migratory stopover for coastal and wetland birds. Flocks of returning geese and duck provide rich pickings for birds of prey, including Marsh and Hen Harriers, Sparrowhawk and several pairs of White-tailed Eagles. Previous Limosa visits have also found immature Rough-legged Buzzard (early for this species) and Hobby (conversely late!) here, along with a fine selection of woodland species including Nutcracker, Brambling, Hawfinch, and a flock of Common and four Parrot Crossbills.

An hour's drive to the north, Cape Põõsaspea is a northward pointing spit situated at the mouth of the Gulf of Finland and the narrows form a bottleneck for large numbers of birds following the southwesterly Siberian/East Atlantic Flyway. This natural funnel makes Põõsaspea one of the best places to watch the spectacular return migration of Arctic waterfowl with chances for divers, geese, swans, dabbling duck, diving duck, sea duck and many other birds which follow the north coast of Estonia before heading out into the Baltic Sea.

In late September and early October, large numbers of Goldeneye are joined by Red-throated and Black-throated Divers, Red-breasted Merganser, and both Common and Velvet Scoters. In the hinterland of coniferous woodland and open grassland, there are opportunities to see Black Woodpeckers, flocks of Jays on the move, Crested and Willow Tits, Goldcrest, Whinchat and Great Grey Shrike.

Silma Nature Reserve is another location we may visit where there is a patchwork of shallow bays, coastal lagoons, marshes and which are recognised as a wetland of international importance, providing a stopover for tens of thousands of migrating waterbirds, especially in autumn. A number of viewing platforms and towers, such as that near Tahu which overlooks a large lake, afford good views over the wetlands.

If conditions are right, passing passerines may also be concentrated around the lakeshore at Tahu, while the fields set between tall shelter belts provide good feeding for flocks of geese and we also hope to find lingering Common Cranes.

Thirty minutes southwest of Haapsalu, the Puise Peninsula is another great spot to watch for movements of finches, tits and other small birds and we will also want as to check the shore for waders and fresh arrivals of wildfowl. Flocks of Jays, enchanting 'Northern' Long-tailed Tits with their snow-white heads, ‘trumpet calling’ Northern Bullfinches, and the paler northern races of Willow Tit and especially Nuthatch can feature strongly at this season, bringing with them the chance of more unusual species such as Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Nutcracker and Hawfinch.

To the east of Puise, the 10-metre tall Haeska birdwatching tower offers excellent views out over coastal meadows and much of the northern shore of Matsalu Bay. This immense shallow bay which not more than four metres deep, is not only the most famous bird area in Estonia but also one of the most important breeding and autumn stopover areas for waterfowl and shorebirds in the whole of Northern Europe. It is well worth a visit in early autumn and holds the record for the largest day list of bird species seen in Northern Europe with the possibilities including White-tailed Eagles, Peregrine and Barnacle Geese and a varied selection of waders.

If the weather is fine, on one evening we plan to go out in search of owls with both Eurasian Pygmy Owl and Ural Owl both seen well on previous Limosa visits. Two further nights Matsalu

Day 4
HAAPSALU TO SAAREMAA ISLAND
We will leave Haapsalu after breakfast on our way to Saaremaa Island. Along the way, we will stop to enjoy some further birding around Matsalu Bay.

After lunch, having skirted south around the bay to Virtsu, we take a 25-minute ferry ride over to Muhu Island. From there we cross the causeway linking Muhu with the much larger island of Saaremaa and continue south to our next hotel, where we stay for two nights. Night Saaremaa Hotel, Saaremaa Island

Day 5
SAAREMAA ISLAND: SÕRVE PENINSULA & SÄÄRE
Saaremaa Island is joined to Muhu Island by a long causeway that crosses the Väika Strait. Although separated from the mainland by just 5km of sea, Saaremaa's ‘fingers’ stretch for 100 km or so, westwards into the Baltic. The island’s west coast is particularly well placed to attract southbound migrants in autumn, with a pulling power comparable to the more famous Swedish islands of Oland and Gotland, just across the sea. In fact, with further study it is likely that Saaremaa could turn out to be one of the most important 'undiscovered’ hotspots for autumn migration in Europe...

We plan to spend the morning on the Sõrve peninsula and Sääre spit. This narrow peninsula forms the jutting southwestern tip of Saaremaa Island and is attractive to large numbers of migrant landbirds in autumn, as well as being a focus for flocks of departing geese and Common Cranes. The surrounding area of open sea and offshore islets also offer excellent feeding and resting spots for passing wildfowl and waders, plus Great Crested and Red-necked Grebes. Raptors can sometimes be present on migration and species to watch for in late September and early Ocotber include buzzards, harriers, Sparrowhawk and Merlin.

At the height of season, enormous numbers of passerine migrants also pass this way. Given favourable conditions, waves of Jays, Chaffinches, Bramblings, Northern Bullfinches and Siskins stream overhead and are visible from the watchpoint adjacent to an old Soviet military fortification, an area that during the Cold War years was strictly out of bounds to all visitors. There is now a museum offering an insight into the fascinating history of the area, as well as teas and coffees.

After lunch, we will spend some time exploring more of the local area. On Limosa's last visit, a varied selection of species were seen here included Barnacle, Tundra Bean and White-fronted Geese, Red-necked Grebe, White-tailed Eagle, Hen Harrier, Greenshank, Little Stint, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Wheatear and Black Redstart. Night Saaremaa Hotel, Saaremaa Island

Day 6
SAAREMAA ISLAND TO PÄRNU
We have an opportunity to enjoy some further birdwatching on Saaremaa Island this morning before returning to the mainland. If conditions are right for migration, we may well decide to pay a return visit to Sõrve peninsula, hoping to emulate the success of our September 2019 tour, when an estimated 25,000 Chaffinches and Bramblings passed by the viewing area in just two hours! With them came a nice assortment of other migrants, including 15 Hawfinches, six Sparrowhawks, 10 Tree Pipits, 15 Stock Doves, 26 Jays and a Great Grey Shrike.

Heading north across the island, we then return via the causeway to Muhu Island and catch a lunchtime ferry (25 minutes) back to mainland Estonia. Once ashore, we will follow the general track of the autumn's bird migration towards our final destination, the small town of Pärnu, in the southwestern corner of the country, where we spend our last two nights of the tour.

Having checked in at our accommodation, if time permits we may take a short stroll through the nearby park to a wildlife boardwalk where we could find species such as Marsh Harrier and Great Egret, plus any migrants. Night Pärnu

Day 7
KABLI BIRD STATION & SOOMETSA FOREST
Making an early start from our accommodation, we travel 30 miles south to visit the famous Kabli Bird Station, close to the border with Latvia.

Estonia’s oldest bird observatory, Kabli is equipped with an immense Heligoland trap which is reputed to be 18m high! Here, we should have chances to see birds in the hand, enjoying good close looks at migrants such as Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and the northern races of Nuthatch and Long-tailed and Willow Tits. Occasionally, migrating owls are trapped as well, so an early morning visit is best! As on Saaremaa Island, visible migration can be both impressive and varied in late September and early October. Highlights from our most recent visit here included Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Woodlark, a party of 15 Bearded Tits, Common Crossbill, Hawfinch and Northern Bullfinch.

The coastal strip running south from Pärnu to Häädameeste village forms part of the natural avian flyway and a walk out to the tower hide could reveal a wide selection of resident and migrant species. Expect anything from Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser and Tundra Bean Goose to White-tailed Eagle, Great Egret and Kingfisher.

If the weather is fine this evening, we can try for owls in nearby Soometsa Forest. Night Pärnu

Day 8
RETURN TO TALLINN, FLY LONDON
There may be time for a little local birding near Pärnu this morning before we set off on the two-hour drive north to Tallinn.

At Tallinn Airport we will say farewell to Tarvo and check-in for our return flight to the UK, where our autumn birdwatching tour to Estonia concludes.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Sitting astride a major migration route for birds heading to and from the bountiful boreal and Arctic regions of Northern Europe, Estonia is one of this continent's most exciting birding destinations and a hotspot for bird migration, especially in autumn.

We travel there in late September, just as migratory birds stream southwards along the shores of the eastern Baltic from their breeding grounds across Scandinavia and Russia. As a bonus, autumn birding in Estonia also offers an alluring range of resident specialities from White-tailed Eagle and Black Woodpecker to Nutcracker and Great Grey Shrike.

Estonia has a cool-warm climate in autumn. In late September and early October, average temperatures in Tallinn range from 9-15C (48-59F). Expect a mix of autumn sunshine and overcast skies with some showers or rain likely.

Note that it can often be chilly first thing at this time of year, with early morning temperatures starting closer to 0C (32F), and with periods of ‘static birding’ as we watch for migration, a warm hat, gloves and layers of warm clothing can be required.

BIRDS
120-140 species

MAMMALS
Up to ten species

ACCOMMODATION
Seven nights accommodation in Estonia, staying at good and comfortable hotels and guesthouses. All rooms are en suite.

MEALS
All main meals are included in the tour price, commencing with dinner on Day 1 and concluding with lunch in Estonia on Day 8 (flight schedules permitting).

Breakfasts will usually be at the hotels, with our dinners taken either at our accommodation or in restaurants nearby. Lunches will be packed lunches and/or sit-down meals. 

WALKING
Easy. Mostly short walks on level ground.

Wear comfortable waterproof walking shoes or boots (wellies not normally required on this tour).

Ground transport is by minibus.