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White stork, seen only in Tartu during the city birdwatch. Photo by Villu Anvelt.

 

The Cities’ birdwatch or the Inter-city bird rally that took place on Sunday March 31st showed the exceptionally late spring. For the first time in the 12 years of the event the species list of the city with the longest list did not exceed the 50 species limit. In this year’s birdwatch 92 persons took part, observing birds in 20 Estonian cities. Abja-Paluoja, Antsla, Karksi-Nuia and Maardu participated for the first time. Over the years 35 cities have taken part in the inter-city birdwatching competition.

This intercity competition was won by Tallinn where 49 bird species were registered. In the even contest they narrowly bested Tartu and Pärnu where 44 species were registered in both. Tapa (40) and Kärdla (39) also belonged to the five cities with the greatest number of species.

In our cities 80 bird species were observed or 11 species less than last year, and as many as 21 species fewer than in 2008. In years with an early spring nearly as many species have been seen for instance just in Haapsalu. Among the most interesting species observed this year were little grebe, dipper, hazel grouse, kestrel and the newly arrived white stork. That this time such common early spring arrivals as skylark, lapwing, crane and stock pigeon were not noted in our cities is evidence of the late spring.

 

Species which were seen in only one city:

Haapsalu: coot
Kuressaare: grey goose
Kärdla: smew, lesser black-backed gull, coal tit
Lihula: woodpigeon (ring pigeon)
Otepää: hazel grouse, song thrush
Paldiski: common pochard
Pärnu: redwing, bearded reedling
Tallinn: shelduck, little grebe
Tapa: teal
Tartu: white stork, linnet
Tõrva: pygmy owl

 

More information:
Tarvo Valker
tarvo.valker@eoy.ee
53932684