Bean goose

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.

Barnacle goose

Barnacle goose

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.

Barn swallow

Barn swallow

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.

Black-headed gull

Black-headed gull

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.

Bar-tailed godwit

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

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.