Matsalu’s bird paradise is more than just a paradise for birdwatchers. Matsalu is a location beside a shallow sea bay where you can stop for a while to watch and listen. Matsalu reveals its secret to everyone who comes to discover the wide variety of birds here.
Matsalu’s bird year begins with the early spring concert of Northern swans in early April. The clucking that can be heard for kilometres serves as a signal to thousands of other birds that spring has arrived. Every day, more new birds appear on the waters here, on the open beach meadows and on the flooded-meadows. Matsalu’s bird spring peaks in the first weeks of May, when tens of thousands of barnacle geese make stops on their journey. White-tailed eagles occasionally test their awareness, something that no Matsalu nature tour would be complete without witnessing.
Tens of thousands of migratory birds leave this area, but the bird life here does not stop. Many bird species nest in Matsalu’s beach meadows, reed beds, bogs and small sea islands; these species are best observed in the summer.
Migratory birds are expected in Matsalu at the end of summer. In Matsalu, the bird autumn occurs from August to November. Its brightest moment is the nocturnal flight of thousands of common cranes on September evenings. Listening to the melancholy calls of migratory crane flocks is an unforgettable experience.
If you’ve been to Matsalu before, it’s always worth coming back. Every bird year in Matsalu is different and every day spent in nature is unique. However, if you have not yet discovered Matsalu’s bird species, you should go and learn about their secrets.
Matsalu National Nature Reserve was created in 1957 for the protection of breeding, moulting and migratory birds and was renamed Matsalu National Park in 2004.
Matsalu’s most valuable asset, after migratory birds, is its well-preserved semi-natural communities, which include shallow beach meadows, open flood-meadows, alvars and woodland meadows. Estonia’s largest reed fields are also in Matsalu. The delight of discovery in the approximately 500 km2 protected area is enough to last for a long day or maybe a weekend.
Read more about Matsalu National Park here.
The island of Vormsi is teeming with birds, and the birdwatching towers on the Rumpo Peninsula offer a superb opportunity to explore this abundance of birdlife.
The island of Vormsi is teeming with birds, and the birdwatching towers on the Rumpo Peninsula offer a superb opportunity to explore this abundance of birdlife.
The island of Vormsi is teeming with birds, and the birdwatching towers on the Rumpo Peninsula offer a superb opportunity to explore this abundance of birdlife.
A visit to the Võnnussaare birdwatching tower presents a nice opportunity to go on a short hike. The tower overlooks the restored coastal meadow and the bird-rich Tahu Bay.
Cape Põõsaspea, the north-westernmost point of mainland Estonia, is one of the best places in the whole of Europe for observing the migration of Arctic waterfowl. Every autumn, around 3 million waterfowl migrate through here.
Lake Sutlepa is the relict lake with the richest birdlife in Silma Nature Reserve. The body of water is especially crowded with birds in the spring, in April and May. Around this time, thousands of transient migratory ducks and geese flock here for a rest, while many species of birds begin nesting in the lake’s reed beds.
Lake Sutlepa is the relict lake with the richest birdlife in Silma Nature Reserve. The body of water is especially crowded with birds in the spring, in April and May. Around this time, thousands of transient migratory ducks and geese flock here for a rest, while many species of birds begin nesting in the lake’s reed beds.
Haapsalu can rightly be regarded as the birdwatching capital of Estonia. The Haapsalu birdwatching tower has a magnificent view of the city’s most populated bird area – Haapsalu Tagalaht Bay. Waterfowl arrive in the bay in early spring with the melting of the first patches of ice, and the last birds leave only after the bay has completely frozen over.
Rannajõe is located right next to the Haapsalu-Lihula road. The viewing platform offers a good view of the open flood-meadows of Matsalu (the meadow area is flooded for a very short time, mostly in early spring).
The Kloostri observation tower, which stands 16 metres tall and has two viewing platforms, is located on the Kasari River banks. From here, you may take in the breathtaking view of Matsalu’s open flood-meadow.
The Kiideva viewing platform was created at the initiative of the local community and is positioned in the little harbour. Kiideva Beach is one of the main stopovers for Northern swans in early spring by Matsalu Bay.
The Haeska observation tower is one of Matsalu’s most popular bird-watching spots, with up to 128 bird species sighted 24 hours a day. For a while, it was even a record in Europe.
On the coast of Põgari-Sassi, you can see a well-maintained beach meadow. Since the beach meadow runs right next to the road, can see many bird species up close. The coast here is a particularly favourable area for various waders.
The Penijõe hiking trail starts near the visitor centre of Matsalu National Park. The hiking trail’s main advantage is the ability to choose between routes of varying lengths. The length of the trail can be 3–7 km; you can choose.
The highest observation tower in Matsalu is located on the banks of the Tuudi River – the 21-metre-high Suitsu Tower. From here, you can see the old fishermen’s houses, the meadow, the wide reed beds and the Matsalu forest.
Puise viewing platform is a low viewing platform by the bus stop. Puise is primarily known for its bird migration in the spring and autumn. Therefore, you should come here early in the morning, shortly after sunrise.
The Keemu observation tower is the best birdwatching spot on the southern shore of Matsalu Bay. The observation tower is located next to the Keemu boat harbour.