Birding the Baltic - ESTONIA

Part of the Steller's Eider flock seen off Saaremaa Island

Me and the Mrs have just returned from a short 6 day trip to Estonia as a recce for a future Wise Birding Holidays trip in 2015. All I can say is WOW!

Visiting in late February is perhaps not the usual time for birders to visit Estonia, but it is the best time to witness hundreds of Steller's Eider that winter off the coast and an excellent time for some very special Owls and Woodpeckers. Aside from birds, mammal watching is also pretty impressive with Eurasian Elk, Racoon Dog and of course Eurasian Lynx. Although still a very difficult mammal to find, this is the start of the Lynx mating season when animals are more vocal and with an estimated 800 animals, Estonia has to be your best chance with the highest density of Lynx in Europe!What was most amazing about the country was the sheer scale of forest and the lack of people. It certainly highlights just how crammed in we are in the UK and it was a pleasure to be able to see no more than 5 or 6 other cars or people during the whole day!

Notes on the trip to follow!