This is a short trip report for a visit I made to Estonia in April. I spent most of the time in Tartu, where I was attending a conference, but spent the final five days travelling through the coastal regions of the country. For this I was joined by BF's Arbu. Whilst in Tartu I had two days of guided birding in the local area with Rein Kuresoo of NaTourEst. This helped a lot with seeing some of the more challenging species.
Itinerary:
31st March Arrive Tallinn, overnight in Tallinn
1st April Bus to Tartu, birding in Tartu
2nd-3rd April Birding with Rein, Tartu area
4th-8th April Tartu for conference, night of 8th in Viljandi
9th April Nigula, Audru, Saaremaa, night in Kuressaare
10th April Undva, Saare, night in Kuressaare
11th April Matsalu, Tuhu Soo, night at Alkagilla
12th April Matsalu, Haapsalu, Sutlepa Meri, Leidissoo, night in Haapsalu
13th April Drive to Tallinn for return flight
Weather:
Estonia had just endured a very hard winter and when I arrived there was still thick snow everywhere and the sea in Tallinn was frozen. The snow started to melt soon after my arrival and the first few days were often quite pleasant, with sunshine and temperatures getting into double figures. During the latter part of the trip the weather was less good, with temperatures not much above freezing and some wet and windy weather. This hampered birding a bit and probably slowed migration down. By the end of the trip the country seemed to have mostly thawed and almost all the snow had disappeared. Most lakes and some coastal bays were still largely frozen though.
Itinerary:
31st March Arrive Tallinn, overnight in Tallinn
1st April Bus to Tartu, birding in Tartu
2nd-3rd April Birding with Rein, Tartu area
4th-8th April Tartu for conference, night of 8th in Viljandi
9th April Nigula, Audru, Saaremaa, night in Kuressaare
10th April Undva, Saare, night in Kuressaare
11th April Matsalu, Tuhu Soo, night at Alkagilla
12th April Matsalu, Haapsalu, Sutlepa Meri, Leidissoo, night in Haapsalu
13th April Drive to Tallinn for return flight
Weather:
Estonia had just endured a very hard winter and when I arrived there was still thick snow everywhere and the sea in Tallinn was frozen. The snow started to melt soon after my arrival and the first few days were often quite pleasant, with sunshine and temperatures getting into double figures. During the latter part of the trip the weather was less good, with temperatures not much above freezing and some wet and windy weather. This hampered birding a bit and probably slowed migration down. By the end of the trip the country seemed to have mostly thawed and almost all the snow had disappeared. Most lakes and some coastal bays were still largely frozen though.
Last edited: