Mallard

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.

Montagu’s harrier

Montagu’s harrier

Montagu’s harrier is an uncommon breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County. It nests in small colonies in our raised bogs, particularly around Leidissoo and Marimetsa bogs. A few Montagu’s harriers nest in the Matsalu flood-meadow. These birds of prey come to hunt, but they also frequently hunt in the fields.

Montagu’s harriers can often be seen from the Rannajõe viewing platform.

Mute swan

Mute swan

The mute swan is the most common of the waterfowl breeding among the reed beds of Matsalu and Haapsalu bays and on small sea islands. Mute swans can be observed in large numbers in the spring and autumn, when thousands of individuals converge to eat.
The Haeska, Keemu bird observation towers and Tahu and Saunja birdwatching towers in the Silma Nature Reserve provide the best views of mute swan migration stopovers.