Bird species that you can see from the Penijõe observation tower

The Eurasian teal is an uncommon breeding bird and a common migratory bird in Lääne County. Eurasian teals can be seen in numerous locations near Matsalu and Haapsalu bays. Eurasian teals that stop on their migration frequently stop at water puddles on the beach meadows.

Eurasian teals gather in large numbers on Haeska’s coast during the spring and autumn. They are also frequently seen stopping in Tahu Bay in Noarootsi.

Nesting Eurasian teals can be found on the beach meadows of Matsalu and Noarootsi. They also breed in small numbers near the ponds of the Marimetsa Bog in Lääne County.

The mallard is a very common breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County. It can be found in woodland ditches and wet hay fields, although the most common habitat is shallow inland bays.

In Matsalu National Park, mallard ducks can be found wherever there is even a small body of water.

The garganey is an uncommon breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County. Compared to other dabbling ducks, its numbers are significantly lower.

In Lääne County, garganeys nest primarily in beach meadows. Birds that stop during their migration can be found in inner bays, flooded-meadows and even ponds in the manor park. Garganeys can be observed best in Haeska and Cape Puise as well as from the birdwatching tower in the Silma Nature Reserve on the Kirimäe Peninsula.

The greater white-fronted goose is a common migratory bird in Lääne County, both in spring and autumn. In the early mornings and evenings, the birds stop in the fields or feed in the beach meadows. Birds rest throughout the day and night, but only in bays and flooded-meadows.

In Matsalu National Park, the greatest number of greater white-fronted geese appears during April when flocks of thousands of birds can be seen. It’s good to observe them from the Haeska and Keemu observation towers or Rannajõe viewing platform. Thousands of greater white-fronted geese also stop at Saunja and Tahu bays in the Silma Nature Reserve.

The greylag goose is a common breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County’s coast and coastal lakes. In the spring, the newly arrived birds quickly begin nesting in the reed beds surrounding the Matsalu and Haapsalu bays as well as the lakes of Noarootsi. Several pairs of greylag geese nest on the islets of Väinameri.

Greylag geese create larger flocks throughout the second half of the summer, specifically in July and August. At that time, the flocks of geese here consist almost exclusively of greylag geese. They can be seen here until the beginning of October when they are joined by other types of geese that have arrived from tundra areas.

Greylag geese can be seen from birdwatching towers in Haeska, Põgari, Saunja Bay and the Sutlepa Sea.

The bean goose is a common migratory bird in Lääne County in the spring and autumn and can be found in Matsalu and Haapsalu bays as well as in the fields nearby. In most circumstances, bean geese socialise with their more numerous close relatives, the greater white-fronted geese.

Bean geese can be observed from Haeka and Rannajõe observation towers as well as Kirimäe birdwatching tower on Saunja Bay.

The common swift is a very common breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County. As a capable flier, the common swift can be found practically anywhere, but they are most widespread in towns and bigger settlements. The majority of common swifts in Lääne County are found in Haapsalu, where they can nest in the ventilation vents of panel buildings. During the migration, you may also encounter the common swift on the coast.

In late July and August, you can observe the autumn migration of common swifts at Cape Puise or Cape Põõsaspea.

The grey heron is a common migratory and a locally widespread breeding bird in Lääne County. These birds can be spotted near bodies of water all over Lääne County. However, they are most active in Matsalu and Haapsalu bays, where dozens of birds gather to feed. Feeding grey herons can be seen from birdwatching towers near Matsalu Bay or the Silma Nature Reserve.

Estonia’s largest grey heron breeding colony, with over 300 pairs, is located in Lääne County, near the Laikmaa Museum. The grey heron breeding colony can also be seen in the Matsalu manor park.

The tufted duck is a common breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County. Tufted ducks can be observed in Matsalu and Haapsalu bays as well as the Sutlepa Sea. The most common sightings of these birds occur between April and September.

Tufted ducks nest in reed beds and on small sea islands.

The Eurasian bittern inhabits reed beds that grow in shallow sea bays and larger lakes in Lääne County. The majority of Eurasian bitterns breed in the reed beds of Matsalu’s inner bay (approximately 25 pairs) and the Silma Nature Reserve (up to 10 pairs).

As a reed-dwelling bird, they are rarely seen, but they are vocal in the spring, from March to May. Their call, similar to blowing into a bottle, can be heard in Matsalu, including on the Penijõe hiking trail and the Silma Nature Reserve near Saunja Bay and the Sutlepa Sea. Eurasian bitterns vocalize most actively in the morning and in the evening.

At Matsalu Bay, the barnacle goose is one of the most common migratory birds in April to mid-May and September to October. Over 100,000 barnacle geese stop in Matsalu each spring.

The beach meadows of Haeska, Keemu and Põgari-Sassi host the greatest flocks of barnacle geese. Thousands of barnacle geese also stop at the Saunja and Tahu bays in the Silma Nature Reserve.

The common goldeneye is a common migratory, breeding and wintering bird in Lääne County. In spring and autumn, a large number of common goldeneyes visit Matsalu and Haapsalu bays. Nesting common goldeneyes can be found on raised bog ponds, manor ponds and woodland lakes. Common goldeneyes typically look for a nesting site in an old black woodpecker’s nest hollow.

In winter, common goldeneyes gather in big flocks along the unfrozen sea coast. The most important wintering areas of common goldeneyes in Lääne County are located around Cape Põõsaspea. Occasionally, nearly a thousand birds winter here.

As in other parts of Estonia, the common buzzard is the most common bird of prey in Lääne County. Common buzzards can be found lurking on power poles and at the tops of shrubs and hovering in the skies across Lääne County. They are especially common in the mosaic cultural landscape, which combines small groves with agricultural landscapes.

Common buzzards are most commonly seen between March and October, but dozens of them also stay to winter in Lääne County.

The ruff is a common migratory bird on the coast of Lääne County. Few ruffs nest in Matsalu’s flood-meadows and beach meadows.

The ideal time to see ruffs is between the end of April and the beginning of May, when hundreds of ruffs gather on the beach meadows of Matsalu National Park and Silma Nature Reserve. In Matsalu, the best spots to see the ruff are Haeska and Tahu beach meadow in Noarootsi.

The white stork is a common breeding bird in Lääne County. Only a few of these birds may be found in the county’s northern region, where extensive wetlands and large forested areas are unsuited for nesting. They also avoid nesting on peninsulas that reach far into the sea.
In Matsalu National Park, white storks are more common in the villages and communities around the bay’s southern side. They frequently make their nests on electric poles or the chimneys of old buildings. When the hay is cut in the flood-meadow in the middle of the summer, dozens of white storks gather to eat there.

The Western marsh harrier is common everywhere in Lääne County, where there are reed beds ideal for nesting. It breeds most commonly around Matsalu Bay and in the Silma Nature Reserve.
In Matsalu National Park, the Western marsh harrier is frequently spotted from Keemu, Suitsu and Haeska observation towers. It is also good to observe the Western marsh harrier from the observation towers near the Sutlepa Sea.

The hen harrier is an uncommon migratory bird in Lääne County and only some individuals stay here for the winter. Migrating hen harriers can be seen searching for prey in fields and flood-meadows, but they occasionally glide over reed beds.

The observation tower at Rannajõe provides a good view of hen harriers. In September and October, you may see their small-numbered migration in Cape Puise.

Montagu’s harrier is an uncommon breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County. It nests in small colonies in our raised bogs, particularly around Leidissoo and Marimetsa bogs. A few Montagu’s harriers nest in the Matsalu flood-meadow. These birds of prey come to hunt, but they also frequently hunt in the fields.

Montagu’s harriers can often be seen from the Rannajõe viewing platform.

The corn crake is a common breeding bird in Lääne County’s cultivated grasslands and meadows. It is difficult to observe a bird hiding in the high vegetation, but its voice can be heard frequently from May until mid-July. Corn crakes become especially loud at dusk.
In Matsalu, you can hear the concert of corn crakes from the viewing platform of Rannajõe or the Smoke River bridge. The national park’s territory is home to approximately 300 nesting pairs.

The Western house martin is a very common breeding bird and migratory bird in Lääne County. It nests wherever there are suitable eaves for making a nest. In Matsalu National Park, Western house martins nest in considerable numbers near Port Puise and Port Keemu. In autumn, between the end of August and the beginning of September, you can watch the countless Western house martin migrations from the Cape Puise observation platform.

The great egret is now a common migratory bird and an uncommon breeding bird in Lääne County. This Southern heron is a recent newcomer in the bogs of Lääne County, having only become common in the early twenty-first century. Now the great egret outnumbers its close relative, the grey heron, in many regions.
Great egrets can sometimes be found in Matsalu and Haapsalu bays even in flocks of several hundred birds. They’re good to observe from the Haeska birdwatching tower, the parking area at Põgari-Sassi beach meadow, and Sutlepa Sea and Tahu Bay observation towers in Noarootsi. Their breeding colony is also found in the reed beds of the Sutlepa Sea and birds also breed in the grey heron colony near the Laikmaa museum.

The common kestrel is unevenly distributed in Lääne County’s cultural landscape; however, it remains a relatively common falcon. Nesting birds can be seen hunting for prey in the fields and flood-meadow of Matsalu. Often, they may be seen from the Rannajõe viewing platform. In the autumn in September, migrating common kestrels are frequently seen in Cape Puise.

The common snipe is a common migratory and breeding bird in Lääne County. Migrating common snipes can be found stopping in beach meadows, seaweed and algae banks and even damp pastures. The common snipe is a widespread bird species in Matsalu. Common snipes can be seen in Põgari and Haeska as well as Riguldi Beach and Tahu Beach meadow in Noarootsi. It’s good to observe common snipes flying on the Penijõe or Tuhu Bog hiking trail during spring evenings.

The common crane is a common breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County. The loud mating call of common cranes can be heard already in early March. They build their nests in wet areas to help protect it from predators. However, during the breeding season, you can see common cranes feeding in the fields.
In September, birds that breed in Finland arrive in Lääne County alongside local cranes. Large migrating flocks of common cranes can be spotted in the fields at that time. However, viewing common cranes’ nocturnal flight on autumn evenings provides a unique spectacle. Thousands of common cranes make their way to Matsalu and Haapsalu bays before dusk to spend the night. On some evenings, Matsalu Bay can have around 20,000 birds. To watch them, visit Rannajõe or Haeska observation tower.

The sea eagle is a bird of prey that is difficult to stay away from before leaving Matsalu or Haapsalu Bay. When you arrive at the bay and look at the larger rocks, you are likely to see a sea eagle sitting on one of them. In Matsalu, white-tailed eagles are commonly observed in Haeska, Keemu and Põgari as well as Haapsalu’s Tagalaht Bay and Saunja Bay inside the Silma Nature Reserve.
In winter, when the inner bays freeze, wintering white-tailed eagles in Lääne County head to coastal areas with open water and resting waterfowl.

The barn swallow is a common and widespread breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County. In Matsalu National Park, they nest near farms and old boathouses. Barn swallows nest most commonly around cattle barns.
Barn swallows flock together in the evenings at the end of the summer to spend the night in the reed beds of Matsalu and Haapsalu bays. Thousands of individuals can sit on the reeds before dusk. In September, our national bird can be seen migrating, and the best view is on Cape Puise.

The red-backed shrike is a common breeding bird in Lääne County. It can be found both in farmland with shrubs and in coastal juniper patches. Red-backed shrikes can be spotted in a variety of locations in Matsalu. They nest in large numbers on the Puise Peninsula, where the birds can be seen nesting in the roadside shrubs.

The great grey shrike is an uncommon breeding, migratory and wintering bird in Lääne County. Grey shrikes are easiest to observe in Lääne County outside of the mating season, which occurs from September to April, when they can be found in cultivated areas or along the coast. During this time, it is worthwhile to travel across the agricultural landscape, when birds frequently watch for pray on power lines or in the tops of bushes.
Great grey shrikes nest in our raised bogs. During the summer, they can be observed on the Tuhu bog or Marimetsa raised bog hiking trails.

The European herring gull is a common breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County. Wintering birds flock largely around ports, particularly in Port Dirhami.
European herring gulls are more common in Matsalu, particularly around small sea islands where they can breed. Therefore, they are most visible in Cape Puise and Port Keemu. However, these birds don’t go unnoticed at other coastal observation locations in the county.

The common gull is a common breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County. Wintering birds follow fishing vessels across the open sea and frequently rest in Port Dirhami.
Common gulls breed primarily on sea islands in Matsalu National Park, although several birds have found suitable nesting sites on the thatched roofs of old farm buildings or boathouses. One of the largest herring gull colonies is found in Kakrarahu, near Cape Puise. Since the 1970s, extensive studies of common gulls have been conducted there. That is why you may notice a white plastic ring with black letters around the leg of many common gulls in Matsalu. Those birds are from the Kakrarahu breeding colony.

The black-headed gull is a very common breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County but an uncommon winterer. Black-headed gulls nest in huge flocks along the shores of Lääne County. The county’s largest breeding colony, with over a thousand nests, is found on the banks of Haapsalu Eeslaht Bay.
Cape Põõsaspea offers the best view of the black-headed gull migration.

The black-tailed godwit is an uncommon breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County. Black-tailed godwits breed in Lääne County’s coastal meadows and bogs. As a breeding bird, it is most common in Lääne County’s Suursoo bog and Marimetsa raised bog. Individual pairs also breed in the well-maintained beach meadows in Matsalu and Haapsalu bays.
During migration, black-tailed godwits are more common in Haeska and Põgari, although during breeding season, they can also be seen on the Puise Peninsula.

Savi’s warbler is a common but relatively local reed warbler in Lääne County. The species’ primary breeding grounds are Matsalu National Park (about 3000 pairs) and Silma Nature Reserve (300–500 pairs), where it thrives in mosaic reed habitats that grow in water. The chirping of Savi’s warbler is extremely loud at dusk. The best time to hear their song is between late April and mid-June. The greatest spots to listen to birds in Matsalu are Port Kiideva, the mouth of the Kasari River and the Sutlepa Sea observation towers near Noarootsi.

The goosander is a common migratory, wintering and breeding bird in Lääne County. Goosanders make frequent migratory stops in Matsalu and Haapsalu bays in the early spring and late autumn. They are typically the earliest waterfowl to gather in open water areas and the last to go when the bays freeze. It is good to observe goosanders that take a break during their migration in Puise or Keemu. In the autumn months, between October and November, hundreds of goosanders gather in Tagalaht Bay in Haapsalu. Wintering goosanders are more common at Cape Põõsaspea and Port of Dirhami.

The white wagtail is a widespread breeding bird in Lääne County as well as a common migrant. As an adaptable species, it may be found practically anywhere in Matsalu and other parts of Lääne County. However, it is most common in villages, where the structures provide plenty of nesting opportunities. Feeding birds are frequently spotted in beach meadows or along the coast.

The Western yellow wagtail is a breeding bird that may be found on Lääne County’s beaches and flood-meadows as well as on sea islands with reeds. It is also a common migratory bird along the coast. Western yellow wagtails can be spotted in Matsalu on the Penijõe hiking trail, at the Keemu and Haeska birdwatching towers, and around Cape Puise. Western yellow wagtails are also common along the shore of the Noarootsi Peninsula.
Migrating Western yellow wagtails can be found in huge numbers on Cape Puise and Cape Põõsaspea.

The Eurasian curlew is an uncommon breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County. This nesting species is unfortunately declining in Lääne County. They have also been found nesting in cultivated grasslands and meadows. A few pairs also live in our bogs. Eurasian curlews that stop throughout their migration frequently eat on beach meadows.
In Matsalu, you can often see the Eurasian curlew at Haeska, Põgari and Rannajõe and on the Penijõe hiking trail. Cape Põõsaspea offers the best view of Eurasian curlew migrations in the spring and autumn.

The grey partridge is an uncommon breeding and wintering bird throughout Lääne County. Grey partridges are still more common in Matsalu’s agricultural areas, but they are difficult to spot due to their secretive lifestyle. Outside of the breeding season, grey partridges occasionally visit the sea coast to feed.
Grey partridges are easier to find during winter when there’s snow, as they tend to forage near houses and roadsides.

The great cormorant is a common migratory and breeding bird with a local distribution in Lääne County. In the spring and autumn, great cormorants can be seen in big flocks in Haapsalu and Matsalu bays. In Matsalu, it is best to watch them from Keemu observation tower or Cape Puise. The great cormorants are also abundant along the Kasari River during the spring fish spawning season.
While there were hundreds of pairs of great cormorants nesting on the coasts of Matsalu National Park around the turn of the century, their numbers have since declined. One reason is the large number of white-tailed eagles, which prey on great cormorant chicks in the nesting colony. This is why there are so few great cormorants nesting in Matsalu areas. However, the cormorant nesting colony can be seen from the observation tower overlooking the Sutlepa Sea.

The water rail is a common breeding bird in Lääne County and an uncommon winterer. The water rail is a secretive reed bird that is difficult to see, but its voice can be heard in many places across Lääne County. Water rails can be heard in Matsalu from various observation towers, including Rannajõe and Penijõe. The greatest place to enjoy the water rail concert is from the bird towers of the Sutlepa Sea near Noarootsi.
During the winter months, water rails are often observed around the Haapsalu water treatment plant.

The whinchat is a common migratory and breeding bird in Lääne County. In Lääne County, it is primarily found in beach meadows with reeds and beach pastures with junipers and bushes. The whinchat also breeds in big numbers in the mosaic landscape, where bushes can be found in the fields.
The whinchat can be seen in Matsalu from late April until early September. They are a widespread bird species here and are commonly found around the Puise Peninsula, Penijõe hiking trail and Keemu Port. During the spring migration in early May, many whinchats stop in the Spithami village meadow, where dozens of them can be counted.

The Arctic tern is similar to the common tern but with a smaller body, a shorter beak, head and neck, a longer tail, shorter legs and narrower wings. In the summer, an adult bird’s beak is dark red, the throat, breast and belly are a pale grey and long tail feathers hang over the tips of the rectrices when the bird is standing. The top half of the wings is uniformly light grey, and all flight feathers are whitish.

Similar to the green sandpiper but lighter brown in appearance, with larger spots on the top side, longer legs, a narrow-striped tail and sparse stripes on the chest and sides. A pale brow stripe extends behind the eye and the legs are yellowish-green. In flight, the wings’ pale undersides are visible and the toes extend entirely past the tip of the tail. In the summer, the top part of the adult bird is irregularly marked with little white and cream spots, whereas in the winter, the plumage is greyer and more uniform.

The legs and base of the beak are red, the top side is brownish, the chest is striped, the sides are spotted, there is a bright ring around the eye and short eyebrow stripe. During flight, the wide white trailing edge of the wing and the white oblong-triangular preen gland area are visible. In the summer, adult birds have thick, slightly irregular specks and streaks on both the top and undersides; however, in the winter, the top side and breast area are brownish-grey.

The Northern lapwing is a pigeon-sized wader with a stout body and a unique long thin tuft on its nape. The dark top part of the plumage looks slightly green and purple with a metallic sheen, while the underside is white. The wing tips are impressively wide with white feathers below and dark above. In the summer, male birds can be recognised by their longer tufts and pure black throats and faces, while females have shorter tufts and a smaller black mark on the front of their necks that is slightly mixed with white. In the winter, the feathers of adult birds at the front of the neck and beneath the chin are white, while the top part and covert feathers are slightly cream-coloured at the tips.