looduskalender.ee

 

 

Watching birds has become a steadily more popular pastime in Estonia. Competing has gained ground too with species lists,  ranking tables and competition events. The most popular species lists are the country and calendar year lists. The calendar year record in Estonia is Uku Paal's since 2009, with 267 observed bird species. As background information it may be mentioned that altogether  382 bird species have been observed in Estonia: 210 of them breed regularly here;  the remainder are mostly passing migrants or winter visitors, but about 115 species are erratic visitors (aberrants)  who stray here only very rarely. An active birder who visits the best bird watching sites in Estonia regularly throughout the year can note some 220-230 bird species in a year; working very hard at it 250 species might be achieved and with luck the result may exceed 260 species.

 

 

For some time I myself have had carrying out a “Big Year” project  in mind and now the time has arrived – I will try to go on as many trips as possible in Estonia during 2012 and so see as many bird species as possible. With luck  I may succeed in passing the current calendar year record – 267 bird species. I do it for my own enjoyment but I decided to share what happens during the year with others too. And so the birder web page was born.

 

 

About myself this much: I am an ornithologist; birdwatching is a hobby but one that I have had for more than 25 years. My favourite activities are finding rare stray visitors, twitching and taking part in bird rallies. Favourite places are the Aardla polder, Sõrve säär, Põõsaspea peninsula and the Matsalu and Silma conservation areas. I am chairman of the Bird Rarities Committee of the Estonian Ornithological Society and vice chairman of the Society’s council; also chairman of the Estbirding organisation for keen birders in Estonia.