Ecorally on Haapsalu winter bird trail
Text Tarvo V.
Photo: Uku Paal
Translation: Liis
Smews
Haapsalu is doubtless one of the best suited starting points for an ecorally. And although my paunch is quite modest it would still be a great sin not to take part in the event, living in such a favoured bird spot. In the city alone it is easily possible to collect more than 200 species in a year, but I certainly plan to take on longer trips too during the year.
I started my own eco-year on the Haapsalu winter bird trail (the present counting season on the path is already the 17th) with having the Christmas census, that I traditionally always have done on the first days of January. This year January 2nd was the counting day.
To keep the ecomotor going the day was started with Teele’s fresh buns. By the time I had enjoyed piroshkies and morning coffee it had grown light outside, and it was a good time to begin with the census.
Because the winter has been warm it was already clear in advance that the numbers of many species would stay low. There is still plenty of food everywhere, and so there is no point for the birds to gather in cities. Most birdfeeders at windows also stand empty. Along the whole trail I only managed to find a couple of feeding places that had brought in at least a few birds.
The morning was cloudy and the light meagre. The activity of birds was very low too. But some ten of the most common city birds got noted quite quickly. The first more exciting finds came when almost half the walking distance was done. Two chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs) appeared in a birch top; they were the 15th species on the trail. Altogether 5 individuals were noted on the trail. A little before the city centre I found a flock of waxwings (Bombycilla garrulus) enjoying aronia (chokeberry) berries.
At the Kongo hotel across the road in the unkempt garden a quite lively bird life went on. Among others today’s only brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) caught the eye, also 4 starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Farther on the trail already runs along the seashore where a greater species harvest could be expected. In the reed clumps there have always been bearded tits (Panurus biarmicus), and since their population has recovered nicely from the severe winters in between, expectations of meeting this species were great. But despite this they wouldn’t show themselves to me today. But from Eeslahe new species came. Among others 5 grey herons (Ardea cinerea)were busy there. 4 species of gulls got seen too. The 30th species of the hike were the eye-catching smews (Mergellus albellus), at least 15 of them in the Eeslaht.
From the Suur viik bay more aquatic birds were added – among others a gadwall pair (Anas strepera) and some wigeons (Anas penelope). 70 coots (Fulica atra) had gathered here. At the Promenaad hotel the only bird of prey of the day, a white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), got noted too.
Along the winter bird trail I managed to note 35 bird species. The total number of birds was only 830 individuals (on the Christmas count typically 950-1000 birds are seen). Primarily species ordinarily occurring in small numbers were seen in numbers greater than average – great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)10 ind., magpie (Pica pica)10 ind.. and greenfinch (Carduelis chloris) 95 ind. Great tits (Parus major) 170, blackbirds (Turdus merula) 16, and jackdaws (Corvus monedula) 35, were seen jn clearly fewer than average numbers. Especially modestly represented today were siskins (Carduelis spinus), only one individual!, and bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula),3 birds.
With the mild winter, bird life in town is mildly boring, but hopefully harder frosts will come soon, because then quite exciting birds may come to town. A distance of 14 km has been walked on foot, and 6 observation hours have now been spent on the action in the eco year.
For the Ökoralli 2014 – Ecorally 2014 participants we have set up a joint blog for sharing of experiences and impressions at the address:
In addition to the blog posts there is a current ranking list and detailed rules for the eco-rally. If anyone would like to take part in the Ökoralli 2014, the event is open to all. You simply need to read the rules and inform us of your wish to participate: