Rannajõe lind Archives

Northern pintail

The Northern pintail is a common migratory bird in Matsalu Bay and the Silma Nature Reserve. The bays here are shallow, which provides excellent feeding possibilities for these dabbling ducks.

The Haeska birdwatching tower near Matsalu offers the best view of Northern pintails. Up to 5000 birds can be seen here during their spring migration in April. Another important migratory stopover area for Northern pintails is located in Noarootsi on Tahu Bay. Northern pintails stop on Lääne County’s inner bays in greater numbers in the spring, then again in the autumn in August and September.

Northern shoveler

The Northern shoveler is an uncommon breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County. It can be seen from April to October. Although the Northern shoveler is a frequent migratory bird in Matsalu and Haapsalu bays, its population remains modest in comparison to most other dabbling ducks. Birds can often be spotted from the observation towers of Haeska and Keemu, as well as Cape Puise.

They primarily nest on the islets of Matsalu, Hullo and Väinameri.

Eurasian teal

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.

Eurasian wigeon

The Eurasian wigeon is a common migratory bird in Lääne County; however, they don’t breed here. Matsalu and Haapsalu bays have by far the most numerous dabbling ducks in spring and autumn. In the spring, Eurasian wigeons enjoy stopping at Matsalu’s flooded-meadows.

The largest migratory flocks of Eurasian wigeons can be seen from the Haeska birdwatching tower. In the autumn, thousands of Eurasian wigeons stop in Haapsalu’s Tagalaht Bay and may be seen from the Haapsalu beach promenade.

Mallard

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.

Garganey

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.

Greater white-fronted goose

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.

Greylag goose

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.

Bean goose

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.

Common swift

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.