Kloostri observation tower

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.