Cold days in Estonia

       With its vast forests and bogs, tiny population and great roads, Estonia is a superb country for a birding trip. This was to be my third trip there, having previously visited in Summer and Autumn; this time we were targeting birds at the end of winter and the very start of Spring.  As expected, the days were pretty cold with daytime temperatures rarely getting above 2 degrees: on occasions the wind off the Arctic was almost unbearable and often there was snow on the ground or falling around us. But the birds showed up in good numbers and our group of three clocked up many species that would be very hard to see elsewhere. 

       It is certainly an interesting time to visit as some species like the Long-tailed Ducks and geese have yet to migrate to the still frozen northern latitudes, while others, like storks and cranes are just arriving for the summer from further South. Then there are those vast forests that hold woodpeckers galore, grouse and owls....although finding them is always the challenge. We did not get to see every species on our target list, but it was a very memorable trip and the ones we missed will provide an excellent reason to go back for another tour. 

A very fine hen Capercaillie, the male eluded us this time

     

there's mammals too....a fine Red Squirrel in winter garb

Waxwings, two of a group of around 20 we chanced upon

one of many White-tailed Eagles seen

Cranes just arrived from further South

a smart looking Hooded Crow, a northern version of our Carrion Crow

the delightful northern version of our Long-tailed Tit with its white head

a snowy morning

Whooper Swan

A true Arctic species - the Long-tailed Duck

they collect in huge flocks waiting for the sea ice further north to melt

Geese everywhere, here White-fronted and Bean Geese

a denizen of northern forests - the Crested Tit

Black Woodpecker

Estonia boasts 8 species of woodpecker, we saw 6, this is a Lesser-Spotted

Geese constantly on the move

A White Stork just back on the nest it has probably used for many years

Roe Deer were often spotted as we drove

......as were groups of Whooper and Bewick swans

                                                              Thank you Estonia.