Eurasian Pygmy-Owl, Viidumäe Nature Reserve, Estonia
Observation from March 29th, 2018
On two outings before at sunrise and sunset we had unsuccessfully tried to hear and see owls, especially the Eurasian Pygmy-Owl. Third time’s a charm! We went again to Viidumäe Nature Reserve where we had been on our first evening in Estonia.
Viidumäe is only 7.5 kilometers long and less than 1 kilometer in width. Almost 85 percent of the reserve consists of forests. Although it is small, Viidumäe is populated by at least 600 different species of plants as well as many different species of animals.
We stood on the narrow winding road between spruces and pines, waiting. Our guide called out like a Pygmy-Owl. By now, we knew that call well! We stood still and listened. Nothing. Since a Pygmy-Owl answers the call pretty soon or not at all, we went further. Luckily, there’s not much traffic on the roads of Saaremaa (at least not during this time of year and at this time of day).
Our guide called again. And this time, there was an answer. We were all very excited, turning our heads and searching the treetops. But the owl seemed to be further away in the forest. Again, the guide called. Again, the owl answered. We noticed that it obviously turned its head in every direction while calling, but it remained in the forest. This went on for about 15 minutes. The owl called more emphatically, but it didn’t come closer. Binoculars and spotting scopes were pointed at the treetops in vain.
I have to admit, I had given up hope of actually seeing it. Standing on an icy road in a snow-covered Estonian forest at sunrise and listening to the owl already was a great experience. Suddenly, someone spotted it at the top of what seemed to be the tallest tree next to the road. It was an amazing sight – such a small owl, only the size of about a starling, bright yellow eyes, the body already lit by the first rays of sunlight. We watched and took pictures in awe. The owl didn’t move, and we slowly went closer.
It didn’t care about us, and it didn’t care about the Perching Birds starting to sing in the depth of the trees as well as some of them becoming agitated by the presence of the owl. Two Eurasian Siskins even harassed the owl, but nothing happened. After having enjoyed the sight for a while, we left the place before the owl did – breakfast was waiting for us.
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