Cuckoos and orchids (Haapsalu and Matsalu national park)
In Estonia, 38 blooming species of orchids have been counted. Estonia is famous as an orchid paradise. June is the high peak of plants! Nature blooms in its full glory. Came to Laelatu wooded meadow, which is one of the biggest and best-preserved meadows of its kind. Two-thirds of the orchids that grow in Estonia can also be found here. Laelatu wooded meadow holds a record for number of species per square metre: in 2001 a sample square metre of ground was counted to have 76 different species of vascular plants. In Estonian, many common names of the orchid plants include the word ‘kägu’ (cuckoo), indicating that the best time to go looking for orchids is when the cuckoo is singing – from mid-May to early July.
(Lady’s slipper orchid ,Common Twayblade, Platanthera, military orchid, the common spotted orchid, European nightjar, Eurasian woodcock etc.)
1.Day
16:00 arrival in Haapsalu
16-17:30 accommodation in the hotel, coffee break
17.30-19.45 bird watching on Haapsalu promenade (waterbirds)
20:00 dinner
21.30 - 22.30 bird watching
2. Day
8.00-9.30 breakfast
10.30 Tuhu Bog and hiking trail
13.30 lunch
15.00-17.30 Laelatu wooded meadow and picnic
19:00-22:30 bird watching in the areas close to Haapsalu
Birding tours in Haapsalu and Matsalu national park
We have still some patches of untouched nature left and dozens of birdtowers
1.Day
16:00 Arrival in Haapsalu
16-17:30 accommodation in the hotel, coffee break
17.30-19.45 bird watching on Haapsalu promenade (waterbirds)
20:00 dinner
21.30 - 22.30 bird watching in Uuemõisa park
Species: cuckoos, nightingales and other forest birds
2. Day
04:30, food packages, coffee to go
05.30 bird watching (the western capercaillie, woodpeckers etc)
10:00 bird watching in a couple of different places
12:30-13:30 lunch
13:30-15:00 free time in Haapsalu
15:00-17:45 bird watching on Haapsalu promenade
18:00 dinner
21:00-22:30 Bird watching in the areas close to Haapsalu