Birds and birding

Scheckente Spezial 2019 – Reisebericht und artikel

Jetzt ist die Saison vorbei und es ist ein guter Zeitpunkt, auf das Jahr 2019 zurückzublicken und sich auf die ersten Tourneen des Jahres 2020 zu freuen.

Zu uns gesellte sich ein Journalist, Franz Lerchenmüler, der einen amüsanten Artikel über die Tour, Vögel und Vogelbeobachter schrieb.
Zusätzlich füge ich einen ausführlichen Tourbericht von Tim-Lukas Richert hinzu, damit Sie einen Überblick über das bekommen, was wir gesehen haben. Im Jahr 2020 wird die Scheckenten-Tour einen Tag länger dauern. Hoffentlich können wir alle Vögel sehen, nach denen wir gesucht haben!

Die Daten für die Tour 2020 sind 16-23.03.2020

Reisebericht: Reisebericht+Estland+Frühjahr+2019

Artikel 1: F.Lerchenmüller. Scheckente Spezial

Artikel 2:  F.Lerchenmüller Scheckente Spezial 2 version

Reisebericht: Moore, Taiga und baltische Küsten Mai 2012

Naturkundliche-ornithologische Reise nach Estland: Moore, Taiga und baltische Küsten

Sperlingskauz

Pygmy Owl is the smallest owl in Europe. You can find this bird all over Estonia, we have about 600-1200 breeding pairs. Pygmy owl is active during the sunset and sunrise, before and after the other owls. They usually are not afraid of people so Pygmy Owl is easy to watch for longer time and quite close. Best time for watching Pygmy Owl is March- May and also September- October, during these periods Pygmy owls protect their territories.

We usually see the Pygmy Owl on all of our Spring and Autumn bird and mammal tours.

With self-guided tour you will be in Pygmy Owl habitat.

Auerhuhn

The speculated number of male Capercaillies in Estonia is about 1000-1500 birds. They live in big forest areas like Soomaa and Alutaguse but we can’t find them in Estonian islands. April is the time when they lek. Male birds gather in sparse forest spots and fight for females. All the Capercaillie leks are under protection in Estonia but after the lek birds often some to the  small forest roads to look for small gravel stones. This is a good option to see the Capercaillie. Best time for that is April- first part of May and also September-October.

We usually see the Capercaillies on our longer bird and mammal watching tours. A very good area for seeing them is Alutaguse. It is a good area for 2-3 day tour to also watch other taiga species like Ural-, Pygmy Owl, Three -toed Woodpecker and Brown Bear. Our selfguided bird tour takes you to a good Capercaillie habitats.

Birkhuhn Balz

The number of male Black Grouses in Estonia is about 6000-10 000 birds. They live everywhere in Estonia (except small islands) and they prefer boggy and forested areas. Black grouse cocks start lekking in early Spring and continue until middle of May. They also lek on quiet mornings in September and October. Black Grouse lek is great to look. Cocks have their territory in the lek, dominant  birds are in the middle and less dominant are at the edge areas. Cocks posture themselves, protect their territory and sing their typical aria to impress females. Hens prefer dominant males.

Black Grouse lekking game will be part of all our longer guided tours in spring.  Selfguided tours take you to a good Black Grouse habitats.

Self-guided tour in March 2013

Mads and Tina from Denmark made  our self-guided birding tour in March 2013. They had some great time in Estonia with a total of 6 woodpecker species (Black, Grey- headed, Great Spotted, White- backed, Tree- toed and Lesser- spotted), 300+ Steller’s Eiders, 2 Pygmy Owls and no less than 4 different Ural Owls.

Habichtskauz

The Ural Owls are spread all over Estonia, except for the islands. They prefer diverse habitats in bigger woodlands with mix of old forests and clearcuts. Although nocturnal, they can hunt prey in daylight – especially when feeding youngs.

We see Ural owls on all of our spring and autumn bird and mammal watching tours.

Self-guided tours will also take you to the Ural Owl habitats.

Weißrückenspecht

In brighter days of midwinter first woodpeckers start to drum in Estonian forests. Out of 9 European woodpecker species 8 breed in Estonia. Most interesting species for the birders from Western Europe are the Gray-headed, Three-toed, White-backed and Lesser spotted woodpeckers.

Great Grey Owl in Alutaguse webcam

Couple of days ago in the 2 nd of June there was view from Alutaguse webcamera. Owl was sitting next to the Brown Bear hides.

Its difficult to say what kind of owl it was Ural Owl or Great Grey Owl. Luckily two people were in the hide at the same time and they

got nice pictures of this owl and it was Great Grey Owl. http://www.flickr.com/photos/80188201@N03/

Have a look at the ALutaguse Web Camera http://www.looduskalender.ee/en/taxonomy/term/45