What is the best time to arrive in Estonia/When will the tour start on the first day?

It would be advisable to arrive in Tallinn during midday or in the afternoon at the latest, so we would have enough time to have some birding stops on the way to the island of Saaremaa.

If I'll arrive a day earlier, will I be picked up from the hotel?

Yes. If you arrive earlier, we can pick you up from your accommodation before the start of the tour.

For what time should I plan my departure flight?

It would be at best if your flight leaves during the afternoon of the last tour day or you can stay for another night. This way, we have enough time to do birding also on the last day. If there are only flights that depart before midday, we can find a solution and organise a private separate transport to the airport.

When should I be at the Tallinn Airport before the departure of my flight?

Tallinn International Airport is a small and convenient airport, so you'll have enough time at the airport if you arrive 90 minutes before the departure of your flight.

Eurasian Lynx and Steller's Eider

Eurasian Lynx and Steller’s Eider

Guaranteed Available Packages

Sunday
14/03/2027

Sunday
21/03/2027

€1.950

7
Available

A perfect tour for everyone, who wants to get views of 2 hard to find species – the Steller’s Eider and the Eurasian Lynx. Besides the 2 main targets, we will also look for other highlights, such as elk, owls, woodpeckers, forest grouse, and sea birds.

Overview

Itinerary

Price includes

FAQs

Map

Price

Feedback

Overview

Itinerary

Price includes

FAQs

Map

Price

Feedback

Overview

March has a really different feeling to it than the months prior to it. The days have become longer and there’s more and more sunlight in the air melting the snow and ice. It’s also a busy time in nature for many mammal and bird species. For the main target species for this tour, the Eurasian Lynx, March signifies the beginning of the mating season. This is also the time of the year when the chances to see them are the greatest. For the lynx, we will start looking before dusk and finish around midnight. The rest of the day will be used for resting, looking for recent tracks, and birding! Because this tour is not only about lynx but also about other mammals and birds. The other most important target for this tour will be the Steller’s Eider, which overwinters in Estonian waters. Other birds, we will look for are owls, woodpeckers, forest grouse, divers, seaducks, and everything else Estonian nature has to offer.

To see these species, we visit three of Estonia’s major wildlife destinations: Matsalu National Park, Lahemaa National Park, and Saaremaa, the country’s largest island.

We begin the tour in Lahemaa National Park, one of the best-known areas in Estonia for seeing the elusive Eurasian Lynx. From there, we continue southwest to Matsalu National Park. Matsalu is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s most important bird areas, but its diverse landscapes also provide ideal habitat for moose, roe deer, and hares — creating an excellent prey base for lynx. The lynx population in Matsalu is healthy, and we continue our search for this secretive predator there as well. The first part of the tour is therefore strongly focused on lynx tracking, which means long evening and night drives in search of active animals.

The final two days are spent on Saaremaa Island, where we search for the spectacular Steller’s Eider and other wintering waterbirds along the Baltic coast.

What can you see?

Eurasian Lynx, Elk (Moose), Mountain and Brown Hare, Roe Deer, Otter, Raccoon Dog, Wild Boar, Pine Marten, Red Fox, Baltic Ringed Seal
Steller’s Eiders and lots of other seaducks, such as Long-tailed Ducks, Velvet Scoters, Common Scoters
White-backed, Grey-headed, Three-toed, Middle-spotted, and Black Woodpeckers
Ural Owl, Pygmy Owl, and Northern Hawk Owl
Capercaillie, Hazel Grouse, Black Grouse
White-tailed Eagles, Rough-legged Buzzard, Waxwing, Parrot-and Common Crossbill, Snow bunting,

Day 1 :

First Evening Lynx Search in Lahemaa National Park

We will pick you up from your hotel in Tallinn or from the airport. From Tallinn, it is only about a one-hour drive to Lahemaa National Park, and already on the first evening we begin our search for the Eurasian Lynx.

Hotel in Lahemaa national park

Dinner

Day 2 :

Lynx, Moose and Ural Owls in the Forests of Lahemaa

Lahemaa is Estonia’s largest and oldest national park. Its western taiga forests and scattered meadows provide excellent habitat for lynx. During the morning and midday hours, we walk and drive through the forests searching for lynx tracks, if snow conditions allow, and also observe woodland birds.

After lunch, we take a longer break to rest before another extended evening and night lynx-searching drive. We also hope to see Elk (Moose), Mountain Hare, Ural Owl, and Eurasian Pygmy Owl.

Hotel in Lahemaa national park

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Day 3 :

The Coast of Lahemaa and Lynx Searching

Besides forests and bogs, Lahemaa also protects the well-preserved natural coastlines. The ice-free coastal waters provide important wintering grounds for many Arctic waterbirds. Before lunch, we walk along the coast and observe wintering birds.

Lynx also visit the seashore to prey on swans and ducks, so there is a chance of finding tracks even along the coast. In the evening, we once again head out in search of lynx.

Hotel in Lahemaa national park

Breakfast + Lunch

Day 4 :

Matsalu National Park and Lynx

Compared with Lahemaa, Matsalu National Park has more open meadows and somewhat less forest, creating excellent habitat for Roe Deer and European Hare. The abundance of prey species also supports a healthy lynx population.

In the evening, we search for lynx among the meadows and forests of Matsalu.

Drive from Lahemaa to Matsalu approximately 2.5 hours.

Guesthouse in Matsalu national park

Breakfast

Day 5 :

The Coast of Matsalu and Baltic Ringed Seals

The sea in western Estonia is shallow and usually freezes during winter. In March, Baltic Ringed Seal give birth on the sea ice. During the morning, we walk along the coast in search of seals resting on the ice, observing them safely from a distance with spotting scopes and binoculars.

In the evening, we again search for lynx and other mammals.

Guesthouse in Matsalu national park

Day 6 :

First Migratory Birds and Pygmy Owls

By mid-March, the snow begins to melt and the first migratory birds return. The earliest arrivals are usually Common Crane, Eurasian Skylark, and Northern Lapwing. At the same time, Black Grouse begin their lekking displays, owls become increasingly active, and woodpeckers start drumming.

If we have already had some good lynx sightings by then, we may spend more time birdwatching. Otherwise, we continue our regular routine of searching for lynx and other mammals.

Guesthouse in Matsalu national park

Day 7 :

Steller’s Eiders and Saaremaa Island

After breakfast, we drive by car and ferry to Saaremaa, where our main target will be the spectacular Steller’s Eider. Around 600–1,000 birds overwinter in Estonian coastal waters, and along the coast of Saaremaa it is possible to see flocks of 10–50 individuals.

Besides Steller’s Eiders, we also expect to find hundreds or even thousands of Long-tailed Duck, the most numerous wintering seabird in Estonia. Other possible species include Common Scoter, Velvet Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Eider, Greater Scaup, Tufted Duck, Bewick’s Swan, Whooper Swan, Smew, and White-tailed Eagle.

Drive to the Steller’s Eider area approximately 2 hours.

Guesthouse in Western Saaremaa

Day 8 :

Return to Tallinn

Early in the morning, there is still an opportunity for birdwatching on Saaremaa before we drive back to Tallinn.