Help: Birding around Scandinavian/Baltic cruise ports? (1 Viewer)

I am a perpetually puzzled birder from Washington state. Great birding here! I find myself in the weird position of going on a Baltic cruise - not my style. But have an idea that I should find out what we might look for in the natural world. We are stopping at Kiel and Warnmunde - as examples of places where we don't want to do the tours.

In fact, we don't want to do the tours anywhere. (http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-...1&portCode=&shipCodeSearch=&voyageCode=D550A#)

We would take a bus or a short train or walk to something and be happy.

Looking to see how to get this started and take the sting away of traveling this way! It seems that there isn't a lot posted on ebird in Europe.
Thanks,
Linda

Here's some info on Copenhagen
http://www.dofkbh.dk/visitors-guide-copenhagen-birds

Tallin
http://www.visitestonia.com/en/paljassaare-special-conservation-area-1

St. Petersburg
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=232153

and Stockholm
http://birdinginstockholm.com/

I hope they help.

edit:- My apologies Linda. I never noticed it was your first post so, a belated, "Welcome to Birdforum".

Linda, welcome to birdforum!

You may want to look at this book because most of those places seems to be cities: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Where-Watch-Birds-World-Cities/dp/0713669837

You can also look at the country section in our opus to get to more info on some locations (unfortunately not very complete): http://www.birdforum.net/opus/Germany is one example

Finally, if you have not already done so, look at this section of birdforum for discussion of field guides: http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=200

Niels

PS: in some cases, a taxa ride might be necessary

While not a famous birding destination, Helsinki is in fact quite nice, especially from late spring to late summer.

About Laajalahti (in English!):

http://www.outdoors.fi/en/laajalahti/directionsandmaps?inheritRedirect=true

I did not find very good info about Viikki in English, but here's a map at least:

http://www.gardenia-helsinki.fi/Viikinluonto/kartta.htm

If you want to try something more original and like trees, here's something about a small patch of protected forest at the northern parts of Helsinki central park (in Finnish, with map, you may try Google translate, at least you will see some funny text then):

http://www.hel.fi/static/ymk/esitteet/haltiala.pdf

And help using public transport, in English:

http://www.reittiopas.fi/en/

PS: if you have to prioritize, use St Petersburg for culture and Helsinki for birds.

Just before You reach Warnemuende You see 2 dams.
You can hike to so called Westmole
To eastern part of dam You have to go by ferry ( from 6 am to 6 pm every 20 minutes ).

Black Head Gull very common
Herring Gull very common everyvery in the town, comes very close
Great Black Backed Gull some round the year easy to find
Rock Pitpit in winter at Westmole
Eider some You have to search from Westmole
Long-tailed Duck some best time March
Cormorant, Mallard of course very common


How much time You have in Warnemuende ? Do You to rent a car there ?
1,5 h drive ( each direction ) are very good spots e.g. peninsula Darss or island Poel with small bird island Langenwerder.
Do You have target birds ?
Which time of the year You want to go there ?

If You go by ferry to eastern part, protected areas not very far.
There is also bus stop.

https://www.google.de/maps/place/Ma...m2!3m1!1s0x47acf8416f8ede6f:0xa251aeb3230f480


If You go to this area You will see also ducks, Kingfisher, some small birds like Blackbird, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, some Heron and depended of time of the year also waders.
Waders You see also at the beach but rather on east side. The west side is more crowded with people.

August is excellent time for waders, migration is started in this time.


Best time for Warnemuende is 6. - 9. August.
http://www.hansesail.com/index.php?id=1&L=1
http://www.hansesail.com/Gallery-Hanse-Sail-2014.681+B6Jkw9MSZ0eXBlPTA_.0.html



From Kiel is the next place Island Fehmarn a very good spot, but 35 miles away.

I have done the Baltic cruise-not brilliant for birding!Frankly it is hard work and you may find you spend more time exploring the wonderful destinations sightseeing!
If you are ever this way try a Canary Cruise,Svalbad.Iceland or any crossing Biscay-it can be quite rewarding!

In Tallinn there is a very good birding area - Paljassaare. It is an undeveloped peninsula and lots of birds use it for breeding and on migration. There is no good public transport connection. Take a taxi from the port to "Katariina Kai". Make sure you have a taxi nr to call, when you are finished birding.