Põgari-Sassi Archives - Page 5 of 7

Bar-tailed godwit

The bar-tailed godwit is an uncommon migratory bird along the coast of Lääne County. Bar-tailed godwits, like many other waders, gather on beaches with open mudflats or loads of seaweed. In Matsalu, the migrating bar-tailed godwit is most commonly found in Põgari and Cape Puise. In addition, they are frequently spotted on the west coast of Osmussaare, Cape Austergrünne in Vormsi and Riguldi Beach.
The largest migratory flocks can be seen in late spring, between mid-April and early June. Birds on autumn migration can be spotted in larger numbers between the end of July and the middle of October.

Black-tailed godwit

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.

Smew

The smew is an uncommon migratory and wintering bird in Lääne County. The majority of spring migration occurs between mid-March and early May, followed by autumn migration in October and November. Smews who rest on their journey prefer to feed in inner bays and, to some extent, bigger lakes. In Matsalu, the smew is most likely to be seen from the Haeska or Keemu birdwatching towers. They are also visible from the Haapsalu Promenade and the Saunja Bay observation towers. The majority of wintering smew are found along the northern coast of Vormsi.

Goosander

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.

White wagtail

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.

Western yellow wagtail

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.

Eurasian curlew

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.

Great cormorant

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.

Great crested grebe

The great crested grebe is a common breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County. Migrating great crested grebes tend to reside in inland bays, with smaller numbers observed at bigger lakes and the open sea.
The great crested grebe is best seen in the spring, between April and May, from the Haapsalu Promenade. At that time, the great crested grebe’s impressive courtship ritual can be observed. Saunja Bay and the Sutlepa Sea also have a large population of great crested grebes, with dozens of couples nesting. In Matsalu, they may be seen near Cape Puise or from Keemu observation tower.

Pied avocet

The pied avocet is an uncommon breeding bird and spring migratory bird that lives along the coast of Lääne County. In Matsalu National Park, migrating pied avocets can be seen on the Põgari-Sassi beach and Cape Puise. In addition, these waders can be observed in Tagalaht Bay and Tahu Bay in Haapsalu. Pied avocets are best observed in Lääne County from April to June.