Lynx and Steller’s Eider

The tour starts off in Estonia’s capital Tallinn and we’ll head towards the island Saaremaa. Depending on the time of arrival, we’ll go and look for the Steller’s Eider or target the Pygmy Owl in the forests near the accommodation. Night in Saaremaa.

Saaremaa is home to many interesting bird species. Just before breakfast we’ll go out in the forests close to the accommodation and try to spot Nutcracker, Parrot Crossbill, and Black Woodpecker. After breakfast, our main target will be finding the Steller’s Eider. About 600-1000 of them overwinter in Estonian water. Along the coast of Saaremaa, it’s possible to spot from 50-200 birds. Besides the Steller’s Eider, we will also find hundreds or even thousands of Long-Tailed Ducks. They are the most numerous seabirds in Estonian waters during winter time. As a sidecatch, we also hope to spot Black- and Velvet Scoters, Red-throated Divers, Black-Throated Divers, Red-Breasted Mergansers, Common Eider, Scaup, Tufted Ducks, Bewick Swan, Whooper Swan, Smew, and White-tailed Eagles. In the evening, if the wind conditions are suitable, we can look for the Tengmalm’s Owl. Night in Saaremaa

Today we start driving back to the mainland. Some birding on the way and then ready in the evening to start looking for the Lynx in Lahemaa NP.  During the mating season in March, the lynx move more also during the daytime, but the main searching will still be done with a thermal scope. Lahemaa NP is the oldest national park in Estonia offering perfect habitats for our main target – big forest areas alternating with small fields and meadows. Our contact person in Lahemaa NP has a good web of trail cameras, so we know their preferred routes and locations. During these lookouts for the Lynx, we will also spot other mammals, such as Elk, Roe Deer, Wild Bore, Racoon Dogs, Pine Marten, Red Fox, and possibly even Brown Bears who have gotten up from hibernation. These searches last every day until about midnight. Night in Lahemaa NP

Days 4-7. These afternoons and evenings, we concentrate on finding the Lynx. We will drive on small gravel roads while scanning the forest borders and meadows. Although there are no guarantees in nature, 4 evenings should be enough for securing an observation of this elusive cat. Looking around in the evening will mean that during these days we will most probably also catch a glimpse of a Ural Owl. During the daytime, we hope to see woodpeckers and forest grouse. Lahemaa is probably the best location in Estonia for spotting Three-Toed Woodpeckers also the White-backed Woodpecker is not scarce in the manor parks and Black Alder forests growing on the river banks. Another species we will hopefully see during this trip is the Western Capercaillie and Hazel Grouse, which are in good numbers in the national park. But it’s not only forest birds, as Lahemaa has a long coastline perfect for overwintering seabirds – Long-tailed Ducks, divers, and Black- and Velvet Scoters. Due to the depth of the Finnish Bay, the coastline is mostly ice-free in winter offering good hunting grounds for River Otter. So although the spring migration is just starting in March, there’s still a lot to see and explore. Nights in Lahemaa NP.

Day 8. Depending on what we have seen and if there’s still something missing from the wishlist, we have time to make the last morning excursion before departing to Tallinn.