inasiebert's Journal

Observations from March 27th, 2018

I have always been interested in nature and the animals living among us. But up until about three years ago, I haven’t observed nature in detail. This has changed a lot, and now I want to observe and learn as much as I can.

To get a better knowledge about birds, I had decided to go on a birding vacation with an expert guide and other keen birders. During the time I could take such a trip, I had the choice between north and south – Mallorca and Estonia. I chose Estonia because it sounded so much cooler on every level!

At the end of March, we were especially supposed to see Steller’s Eider, Long-tailed duck, other ducks, geese, Ural Owl, Eurasian Pygmy-Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Black Grouse, Western Capercaillie, Bohemian Waxwing and different woodpeckers. For owls, woodpeckers, Black Grouse and Western Capercaillie it should already be mating season.

The weather during the vacation was perfect. We had clear blue skies and no wind at the coast. The temperatures were well below 0 degrees Celsius, though, especially on our outings before sunrise and after sunset.

On the day of our arrival, we drove several hours from Tallinn to the western end of Saaremaa. Saaremaa is the fourth largest island in the Baltic Sea and the biggest one in Estonia. It is sparsely populated and offers great landscapes and stunning, unspoilt coasts. It is well known for its rich flora and fauna: More than 200 of the local species are protected. Saaremaa is also located in the migration area of numerous bird species.

On our way, we made the first observations in passing: lots of Common Buzzards, a hunting White-Tailed Eagle, several Red Foxes, waterfowl and Ringed Seals on the ice between the mainland and the island of Muhu.

Especially the Common Cranes and Northern Lapwings fascinated me. To me, living in southwestern Germany, both species are special and rare. In Estonia, they were present on many fields next to the roads and in great numbers. The Cranes already formed pairs, but we didn’t observe mating rituals. The Lapwings, sometimes several dozens of them on the same field, showed their display flights.

Eurasian Skylarks were often foraging on the same fields as the Cranes and Lapwings. I haven’t seen them yet in Germany, but here, they were also quite common.

In the evening, we arrived at our destination: Loona Manor close to Kihelkonna. The manor dates back to the 16th century and is beautifully and conveniently located to Vilsandi National Park and to Viidumäe Nature Reserve. That’s were we wanted to go birding the next two days.

Observations from March 28th, 2018

On March 28th, Steller’s Eiders were to be the highlight of the day. Some hundred of them spend the winter on the coast of Saaremaa. To observe them, we drove to the northern part of Vilsandi National Park and walked along the coast from Metsaküla (across the peninsula of Harilaid) to Undva pank.

Vilsandi National Park consists of more than 100 islands as well as several bays of the western coast of Saaremaa. About 250 different bird species have been observed here, and the diverse vegetation offers juniper and more than 30 different species of orchids.

It was one of the rare calm days at the coast, and we got to see many birds – although most of them far from the coast. Directly at our first observation point, we saw four male Steller’s Eiders. They were sleeping out on the sea in a flock of different ducks like Long-Tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye, Mallard and Tufted Duck. We could only watch them with a spotting scope. Closer to the coast were Mute Swans, Black-Headed Gulls and Common Mergansers.

At Undva pank, there were dozens of Mute Swans swimming way out on the sea. Here, I observed my first Common Shelducks, most of them resting or grooming. Mallards, Common Goldeneyes, Common Mergansers and Black-headed Gulls were also present. Two Common Eiders flew by in the distance, and two Snow Buntings flew inland, coming from the sea. It was a beautiful, but short moment, since unfortunately, they didn’t land. A flock of about 20 Taiga Bean Goose flew directly above us along the coast.

Our next stop was the port of Saaremaa on the peninsula of Ninase. It was built especially for cruise ships. On this day, a cargo ship was being loaded with wood chips. Far behind it, dozens of Steller’s Eiders were floating on the sea in a huge flock of Tufted Ducks and Greater Scaups. Unfortunately, because of the work going on, we were not allowed to go on the quay to get a closer look.

On the quay, some Great Cormorants were resting and grooming. In the port basin, we could watch Long-Tailed Ducks (mostly males), Common Goldeneyes, Common Mergansers and three Eurasian Coots. A single female Velvet Scoter swam among the Goldeneyes. We went back the next day, but the Steller’s Eiders were still too far out on the water, and the ship was still being loaded. We observed the same species as the day before.

At sunset, we went to the springs of Odalätsi, looking for owls. We didn’t hear or see any, but we observed a White-Throated Dipper resting at one of the ponds. It blended in with the surroundings and was very calm – even though 13 people with cameras and spotting scopes were observing it from a distance of only about three to five meters. Up until that day, I have never seen a resting Dipper!

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.

Observations from March 29th and March 31st

Off to another outing in the evening! This time, we wanted to try and find a Ural Owl. We went into a wood with a lot of clearings near Elbiku in the county of Lääne.

Our guide discovered footprints of a Brown Bear in the snow, crossing our path. According to him, they were about a day old. A few hundred meters along, we again saw footprints, this time imprinted in ice following the same path we did. They were older. There are approximately 700 Brown Bears in Estonia. On our trip, we saw footprints in the snow at three different places in Lääne county.

In the middle of a big clearing we stopped. Ural Owls don’t live in dense and big forests, they need light old woods with clearings. They are also very territorial, so our guide knew exactly where to go.

He played the territorial call of a Ural Owl. We didn’t have to wait long for the answer: Huhuhuhu! We stood still, listened closely and looked everywhere. Our excitement grew. Then, the Ural Owl came. It landed on one of the few remaining trees in the clearing. But before everyone had really seen it, it left again.

A Ural Owl flew along the edge of the forest. We now heard both male and female, calling their “Hus” and also the more croaking calls, but they remained in the forest. We stayed on, waiting. The calling stopped. But then, one of the owls showed up again and landed in a tree right before the setting sun. It was a very beautiful sight for a few minutes, before it left for good.

Two days later, we went back to this area in the early morning. After the sun had already risen, we saw a Ural Owl gliding through a thicker part of the forest and landing in a tree. It remained there longer than we did, probably still searching for prey.