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White-winged tern

On May 11th, the fourth Tower birdwatching day arranged by the Estonian Ornithological Society took place. Despite the poor spring weather more than 130 bird enthusiasts wanted to learn about birds in the towers, a record for participants in the tower birdwatching days.

 

Birders kept species lists and waited for bird friends in 9 counties and 16 birdwatching towers. In 4 towers where there were no guides the visitors kept the lists themselves.

 

The greatest number, 114 bird species, were noted in Pärnumaa at the tower of the Kabli bird station. With regard to number of species the Tarvastu polder wachting tower in Viljandimaa with 102 and the Haeska birdwatching tower in Läänemaa followed. 173 species were noted in the different watching towers.

 

The most exciting observations were the red phalarope (Phalaropus fulicaria) in Pärnumaa at the Kabli watching tower, the hoopoe (Upupa epops) in  Põlvamaa at the Räpina shore watching tower, the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) in Läänemaa at the Haeska bird watching tower, white-winged terns (Chlidonias leucopterus) in Tartumaal at the Aardla polder birdwatching tower; in Viljandimaa at the Tarvastu polder watching tower, at least 720 individuals were counted in the yellow wagtail migration flocks.

 

The Estonian Ornithological Society thanks all who have taken part in the event!

 

The greatest thanks go to the birders who guided the bird enthusiasts. They were: Leho Aaslaid, Andres Kalamees, Margus Ellermaa, Alpo ja Hannele Koukila, Merle Kääri, Arne Laansalu, Hillar Lipp, Toomas Mastik, Kalle Muru, Riho Männik, Mariliis Märtson, Kadri Niinsalu, Margus Ots, Thea Perm, Vello Tarning, Tarvo Valker, Maie Vikerpuur, Raul Vilk and Kaarel Võhandu.

 

Until meeting again next year!