Estonian Ornithological Society announces
Photo Vello Keppart
Translation Liis
Great egrets at Pedja River
Here is a summary of the final results of the Intercity Birdwatching Contest, with a species list. Please let me know if there are still any mistakes. Many thanks to all who took part!
The Intercity Birdwatching Contest that is arranged every spring by the Estonian Ornithological Society took place last Sunday. In the event 109 bird enthusiasts observed city birds in a total of 25 Estonian cities.
Despite the windy and sometimes also rainy weather this year too a great number of different bird species were noted in the cities. A total of 114 bird species was counted which is only 4 species less than the record number from last year.
As expected the greatest numbers of species were observed in cities on the coast. Tallinn had the longest list of species this year too, with 76 species heard-seen.
Pärnu was only left behind by one species, but the summer capital was represented by only one competing team. The team in Pärnu , Margus Elleman and Indrek and Jaak Tammekind achieved the longest species count with 75 species.
In the inland cities count the greatest number of species was achieved by Tapa where 56 bird species were registered. Only one species less was recorded in Kallas, Valga and Võru.
Among more exciting species Canada goose, great white egret, dipper, kingfisher and collared dove were encountered. Different migrant birds were noted in great numbers, among them also an early green sandpiper. In addition wagtails, white storks, geese in great numbers and cranes were observed. Incidentally, in the cities 7 different woodpecker species, hazel grouse and black grouse were seen.
Long-tailed tits were seen more often than usual this year; they occurred in a third of the cities which reflects the great invasion by the species last autumn.
The ace species, i e species that were only observed in a single city, were as follows:
Haapsalu: Canada Goose
Kunda: Common Scoter
Kuressaare: Collared Turtledove
Loksa: Velvet Scoter
Pärnu: Dunnock; Snow Bunting
Tallinn: Common Snipe; Pygmy Owl
Tapa: White Stork
Tõrva: Three-toed Woodpecker
Võru: Great Bittern; Kestrel; Green Sandpiper
For bird fans: summary of the intercity birdwatching final results with a species table
The next Intercity Birdwatch will take place next spring – always on the last Sunday in March.
Tarvo Valker
