Estonia.......22nd to 29th September 2012

Baltic Flyway

This exciting new tour takes you to the most rewarding areas to watch birds in Estonia. Join us for the thrill of mass migration at watch-points, where continuous passage of raptors, cranes, divers, ducks and geese fill the sky and where remote bays are teeming with birdlife. Several species of Woodpecker can be found in the forests and morning drives may turn up Hazel Grouse, Black Grouse and Capercaillie as well as Goshawk. An excellent selection of migrating raptor species could include Hen Harrier, Honey Buzzard, Lesser Spotted & White-tailed Eagles, Hobby, Merlin, Peregrine and hundreds of Sparrowhawks. Common Cranes are usually in their thousands at this time of year and joined by masses of geese, including numbers of Bean, Greater Whitefronts and Barnacle. Passerines on the move are likely to include vast numbers of Chaffinches and some Bramblings and Siskins. Rarities from Siberia are also possible.

Day 1: Flight from UK to Tallinn. We’ll then transfer by minibus through scenic countryside, stopping at suitable birding areas. In forests we may see Black Woodpecker, Crested Tit and Goshawk.
Overnight - Haapsalu

Day 2: Our excellent location allows quick and easy access to the outstanding migration watch-point at Spithami on Cape Poosaspea. Here we can experience the visible migration. We can expect large rafts of Long-tailed Ducks, Goldeneye, Goosander, Common Eider, Common and Velvet Scoter on the sea nearby, while Red-throated and Black-throated Divers fly past. Ribbons of geese add to the spectacle and an occasional Arctic Skua or Bonxie may appear. Flocks of passerines are on the move. Late morning will see us birding the Nova Forest Reserve for Hazel & Black Grouse, Spotted Nutcracker and woodpeckers. After a short break we head to Matsalu Bay, which is a huge nature reserve. The whole area is mostly wetland surrounded by large fields and meadows and is a main stopover site for thousands of birds.
Overnight - Haapsalu

Days 3 & 4: After an early morning breakfast we drive to Rohukula, where we take a ferry to Hiiumaa Island, reputed to be the best sea watching site in Estonia and we’ll visit a number of sites round the island before we arrive at our quite modest but attractive hotel. On Day 4 our first venue after breakfast will be Ristna, where we’ll watch Arctic Migration. Amongst many divers and ducks there is always a chance of something unusual turning up such as a White-billed Diver or Steller’s Eider and perhaps a few skuas. Our picnic lunch will be at Tahkuna Lighthouse, which is another good place to observe migration.
Overnights - Hiiumaa Island

Day 5: Early morning seawatching at Ristna. After a late breakfast we will drive to Söru and take the ferry to Saarenmaa Island. Our destination is Kuresaar but we’ll have some birding stops en route.
Overnight - Kuresaar

Day 6: Before breakfast next day we visit the Sörve Bird Observatory to watch the migration and ringing. Sörve is situated in the southernmost point of Saarenmaa on a narrow cape surrounded by beautiful wetlands. If we are lucky some Siberian rarities such as Richard’s Pipit or Yellow-browed Warbler may show up. After breakfast we visit Undva, which is the best wintering site for Steller’s Eiders in Estonia. We may also see species such as Smew, Greater Scaup and Jack Snipe. Little Gulls, Red-necked Grebe. Water Rail and Bearded Tits are also possible.
Overnight - Kuresaar

Day 7: A further visit to Sörve Bird Observatory to observe ringing and migration. Later we catch the ferry to the mainland.
Overnight - Parnu

Day 8: After a morning visit to Nigula Nature Reserve, we’ll drive to Tallinn for our flight to the UK.

Tour ref: AA1204

Cost: £1,895
Deposit: £300
Single Room Supplement: £165

Leader: Bernie Forbes

Max Group: 14 + 2 Leaders

Includes: Economy class scheduled return flights (UK-Tallinn-UK), accommodation based on twin occupancy, meals, transport in Estonia & services of leaders.

Excludes: Travel insurance, drinks & items of a personal nature.