An 6-day holiday in search of owls, woodpeckers and other wintering and spring-time specialities of Estonia.

Special offer until 15th February! SAVE 130 EUR!

HOW TO BOOK...

PRICE: 860 EUR
Special price: 730 EUR

Programmes can be viewed when choosing Tour dossier from the right menu. Discount does not apply to earlier booked trips and Tailor-made holidays.

Click here and see Matsalu in April...

Click here and see the Black Grouse video...

Click here and read Terms and Conditions...

Period: March – April
Group size: 6/14 pax
Grading: Day walks only, for all ages
Leader: Local field ornithologist
Accommodation: Comfortable hotels with private facilities
Food: Restaurants and local farms
Extensions: Cultural/sightseeing extensions available on request

Itinerary:

Day 1 Arrive in Tallinn, to Pärnu
Day 2 Soometsa forests
Day 3 Saaremaa Island
Day 4 Variku, Põõsaspea & Nõva
Day 5 Leidissoo & Matsalu
Day 6 Marimetsa Bog, to Tallinn

Highlights:

Birds: Bittern, Eurasian White Stork, Steller´s Eider, White-tailed Eagle, Goshawk, Razorbill, Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Hazel Grouse, Eagle Owl, Ural Owl, Tengmalm’s Owl, Pygmy Owl, White-backed Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Nutcracker, Crested Tit, Bearded Tit, Parrot Crosspill etc.

Mammals: Red Fox, Grey Seal, Wild Boar (probably), Elk, Roe deer, European Beaver, tracks of Wolf or Brown Bear etc.

Client comments:

"I wanted to thank you, on behalf of all our group members, for arranging such a marvellous holiday for us. Our accomondation was perfect, the food was delicious (everyone loved the soup at lunchtime) and just the right amount. It was lovely to be able to visit the communities to have our food in their village halls. We had the very best guide Mikko and we will never be able to thank him enough for finding all the birds and animals we wanted to see. There will never be such a lucky group as ours I think to see Steller`s Eider so close! I hope that your groups enjoy their visits as much as we did. We will certainly be encouraging our friends to visit Estonia." P.R. / Spring 2009 Private Group /

"P.S. I have just seen our photo on your website - we are very honoured! And it has reminded me that I have not yet sent you a copy of our group photo, taken on our last day. I realise that it does not show us birding, but it does show how happy we all are after our wonderful holiday, so if it is any use to you for publicity in any way, please use it." P.R.

"Been back from North West Spain for a few days now and thought I should write to say thank you for such a great trip. It really was very good indeed and Uku did a great job finding all the birds for us. No doubt he will be cross that we didn't find Ural Owl but we saw pretty much everything else with great views of Steller's Eiders, Pygmy Owl, Nutcracker, all the woodpeckers, thousands of geese, Goshawk, Smew etc etc. Everyone enjoyed it I think.
It was also really good to see you, both at your office and especially on the last day with a chance for a chat and a coffee. Always such a pleasure." R.A. / Spring 2009 Speyside Wildlife /

"Difficult to pick out highlights, but brilliant views of white-backed woodpecker, nutcracker and eventually….Stellers Eider." "The evening out in the forest looking for Ural Owl, which was elusive, was lovely because it was still and the stars were out and we were able to get in some star gazing." M.B. / Speyside Wildlife 2009/

"A simple list of what we saw last year doesn't do justice to the memories: brilliant views of all seven species of woodpecker in one morning; face to face views of Ural Owl; frame filling views of Nutcracker; Waxwing, Bearded and Penduline Tit just a few feet away; dancing Common Cranes; the tight pack of 300 Steller's Eiders looking great despite being distant; identifying animal tracks left in the snow ... all wonderful memories, I for one won't forget." R.Atkins / Spring 2008 Speyside Wildlife /

"I enjoyed every minute of this holiday from start to finish. There were so many highlights, from the way the group 'gelled' so quickly, the fun and laughter, to the unusual log cabin accommodation, the excellent guiding and the search for birds and animals (escpecially the variety of footprints in the snow) to the chance to see a new country. Apart from the joy of being able to see so many bird species in such a variety of habitats, the sight of the Ural Owl sitting so low down on the branch of a tree and so close to us has to be near the top of my 'Holiday Highlights' list. But our welfare was not forgotten and we appreciated refreshments being served in a moving 'shoogly' bus on our way from Tallin to our accommodation by an Estonian tourism representative. I liked the idea of having a hot buffet meal in the middle of the day, an opportunity to taste simple and wholesome Estonian food in a variety of surroundings, from a farmhouse to a barn, a museum and a tavern. It also brought us into contact with local people which was good. I also liked the tour of the old city of Tallin, led by a delightful and very knowledgeable guide with an impish sense of humour. The main reason for us being in Estonia was of course the birding and I do not want to forget the success of that fact. But, my Holiday HIghlight has to be the hospitality and friendliness of the Estonian people. It is a thought that will remain with me for a long time to come." J.J. /Speyside Wildlife 2009/

"The sight of a pair of Three-toed Woodpeckers on a dead tree in front of us, drumming away was amazing. We stood in the snow and watched them for ages. Watching the sun rise as we sped along in the bus was incredible. Most of the group were asleep so missed the beauty of it. The ground was misty, so the whole thing was very mystical and magical." M.S. / Speyside Wildlife 2008