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There were many birds and many bird enthusiasts at Cape Põõsaspea yesterday

 

At the international birdwatching days EuroBirdwatch2014 on the weekend of October 4-5, at least 170 000 birds of 145 species had been counted in Estonia by Sunday afternoon. 

 

Compared to previous years this time the migration of Branta and Anser geese and gulls and passerines was modest but the weekend fell at the peak time of the Arctic waterfowl migration. Consequently, one of the best observation points was Cape Põõsaspea in north-western Estonia. This year bird counts coordinated by the Estonian Ornithological Society have been made every day at Cape Põõsaspea from July 1^st, and Saturday established the day record of the whole counting period with 88 700 counted birds. The action could be followed by about 70 bird friends who had turned up there.

 

See the Põõsaspea web site: LINK

 

According to the initial quick summary, the most numerous species on the birdwatching days were long-tailed ducks (61527 birds), scaup ducks (17887), barnacle geese (16966) and widgeons (15191). 

 

The most frequently seen species were the great tit, hooded crow, jay, greater spotted woodpecker, fieldfare and goldcrest. Great rarities were not seen on the observation days but several belated migrants were notable such as white stork, barn swallow, redstart, little gull, yellow wagtail and others. On the observation days a Bird of the year, kingfisher, was also seen. An unexpected and sad incident happened in Viljandimaa, where a young mute swan, busy with its first flying exercises, flew into the power lines in a farm yard and perished while the observers watched.

 

We look forward to getting the results from the birdwatching on the weekend until October 10th. They can be entered by the online form on  the web site of the Estonian Ornithological Society: www.eoy.ee

 

Who cannot use the Internet facility can send the observations list by post to: Veski 4, 51005 Tartu.

 

Our thanks to all observers, the guides on the watching trips and Kristjan Adojaani and OÜ 5DVision for creating the online observations form.