Bird-watching day on Sunday in our cities

Estonian Ornithological Society invites you to take part
Photo: Arne Ader
Translation: Liis
Starling
 
 
Each year on the last Sunday of March the traditional city bird watching day takes place, this year on March 30. The aim is to encourage people to notice the richness of birds in Estonian cities. Of course attention is also on the arrival of migrant birds, already proceeding at full speed. Everyone can take part in the bird-watch. It only takes to find a friend with whom to go watching for birds in an Estonian city and to find as many bird species as possible there.
 
The start signal goes already at 5.00 in early morning but there is no need to be  kept back because of that: time to take part in the watch lasts until 1.00 p.m. in the day. This year’s city bird watch is already the 13th in a row. We would like to point out that this year there are some significant changes in the rules – during the bird watching period transport may only be on foot or by bicycle.
 
Read the detailed rules:
 
Over the years birds have been watched on the bird-watching day in 35 Estonian cities. Elva, Kiviõli, Kohtla-Järve, Kunda, Loksa, Mustvee, Narva, Narva-Jõesuu, Püssi, Sillamäe, Türi and Võhma have never been represented. Last year the largest number of species was reported from Tallinn. Through the years Haapsalu has won the title of the city with the longest bird species list. Haapsalu also holds the contest record – 79 bird species were counted in Haapsalu in 2008.
 
The weather will be fine on Sunday. It only remains to wish all a bird-watching with many species!
 
Rules for the inter-city birdwatching day:
 
Time of event: Sunday, March 30th, 5.00 a m to 13.00
Venue: an Estonian city, freely selected by the observers.
 
1.     For taking part a 2-5 member group shall be set up. A species goes into the counting list if it is seen or heard by more than 50% of the team members (2 out of  2, 2 out of 3, 3 out of 4 etc).
2.     During the competition transport only on foot or by bicycle is allowed. Use of any  engine-powered vehicle (including public transport) is prohibited. A car or public transport is allowed for getting to the starting point.
3. Bird species that are observed without leaving the city limits are accepted in the list. NB! The birds themselves may be outside the city limits.
4. Using electronic lures is prohibited. Only self-made calls – e g whistling – are alllowed.
5. The results of the inter-city birdwatch must be forwarded on Sunday, March 30th, at 16.00 at the latest by e-mail to the address:
 
The results form must contain  the names of the team members, the observation area (city) and a list of observed bird species names, according to rules.


 

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