Brown bear
With more than 700 animals Estonia has one of the strongest Brown Bear populations in Europe. A forested area in N-E Estonia, called Alutaguse, has almost half of Estonian bears. Although fairly common there, it is still difficult to see them in wild. That is the reason why Natourest has built hides for observing and photographing […]
Read MoreElk
Elk (or Moose, as Americans say) is a common animal in Estonia. With the population of more than 12 000 animals, Elks can be seen all over Estonia, but it is naturally more common in the big wilderness areas. Elks are mainly active in twilight and this is the proper time to see them. They […]
Read MorePygmy Owl
Pygmy Owl is the smallest owl in Europe. You can find this bird all over Estonia, we have about 600-1200 breeding pairs. Pygmy owl is active during the sunset and sunrise, before and after the other owls. They usually are not afraid of people so Pygmy Owl is easy to watch for longer time and […]
Read MoreWestern Capercaillie
The speculated number of male Capercaillies in Estonia is about 1000-1500 birds. They live in big forest areas like Soomaa and Alutaguse but we can’t find them in Estonian islands. April is the time when they lek. Male birds gather in sparse forest spots and fight for females. All the Capercaillie leks are under protection […]
Read MoreRaised bog
About 23% of Estonia is covered with peat land soil and about 8% is covered with raised bogs. You will find raised bogs all over Estonia. Bogs started to develop after the last Ice Age about 12 0000 years ago. Biggest of them are 10 000 hectares and the peat layer is 6-8 metres thick.There […]
Read MoreRinged Seal
Estonia hosts the most southern Ringed Seal population in the world. Their population is about 1500 and they can be spotted around small islets near Hiiumaa and Muhumaa. In spring Ringed Seals are molting and rest near small islets on the coastal rocks. They spend summer feeding in fish filled waters and double their body […]
Read MoreBlack Grouse lek
The number of male Black Grouses in Estonia is about 6000-10 000 birds. They live everywhere in Estonia (except small islands) and they prefer boggy and forested areas. Black grouse cocks start lekking in early Spring and continue until middle of May. They also lek on quiet mornings in September and October. Black Grouse lek […]
Read MoreUral Owl
The Ural Owls are spread all over Estonia, except for the islands. They prefer diverse habitats in bigger woodlands with mix of old forests and clearcuts. Although nocturnal, they can hunt prey in daylight – especially when feeding youngs. We see Ural owls on all of our spring and autumn bird and mammal watching tours. […]
Read MoreWhite-backed woodpecker
In brighter days of midwinter first woodpeckers start to drum in Estonian forests. Out of 9 European woodpecker species 8 breed in Estonia. Most interesting species for the birders from Western Europe are the Gray-headed, Three-toed, White-backed and Lesser spotted woodpeckers.
Read MoreWolf
There are about 200 wolves in Estonia, divided between 20-25 packs. The wolves are distributed almost evenly over Estonia, but they occur mostly in the biggest wilderness areas. Footprints of the wolves can be seen in all biggest protected areas in Estonia.
Read More