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[edit] Overview

In the south-west of Estonia, close to the Latvian border, lies the Nigula State Nature Reserve, consisting of a large lake and associated bogland surrounded by dense coniferous forest.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

In the wet areas there are breeding Black-throated Diver, Common Crane and various waders but most birders are attracted here by the birds of the forest.

These include Hazel Grouse and Black Grouse, Western Capercaillie and Spotted Nutcracker, and a range of woodpeckers, including Grey-headed Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker and Three-toed Woodpecker, and owls such as Eurasian Eagle Owl, Eurasian Pygmy Owl and Ural Owl.

Raptors are also impressive with Golden Eagle and Lesser Spotted Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle is also possible.

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Black-throated Diver, Black Stork, Common Goldeneye, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Golden Eagle, Hazel Grouse, Black Grouse, Western Capercaillie, Merlin, Common Crane, Eurasian Golden Plover, Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Common Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Gull, Great Eagle Owl, Eurasian Pygmy Owl, Ural Owl, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Tree Pipit, Grey-headed Wagtail, Whinchat, Icterine Warbler, Wood Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, European Pied Flycatcher, Willow Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch, Great Grey Shrike, Spotted Nutcracker, Common Crossbill, Parrot Crossbill, Common Bullfinch, Common Rosefinch

[edit] Other Wildlife

Mammals present at Nigula include Brown Bear Ursus arctos, Grey Wolf Canis lupus and Pine Marten Martes martes.

[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

To do

[edit] Areas of Interest

To do

[edit] Access and Facilities

From Parnu take the road to Haademeeste and continue to Tali. On the Tali-Nurme road stop just past Vanajarve Station and the lake is to the west.

A track enables the visitor to cross bogland and forest to the reserve centre.

[edit] Contact Details

To do

[edit] External Links

• Estonia Nature
• Nigula Nature Reserve on Google Maps

Content and images originally posted by Steve