The next morning the clearing was as empty
as when we had arrived but 10 Hooded Crows were attracted to the mess left by
the Racoon Dogs. On our way back to the car the sound of Wood Warblers filled the
air along with the call of multiple Cuckoos. Cuckoos proved to be very common
throughout the trip but typically they were heard more than see. The next leg
of our journey had us travelling south to Tartu with a few stops planned of
course.
First stop was Alam Pedja which is another
boardwalk trail through a giant woodland bog.
From the tower hide overlooking the bog, Tree Pipits descended from the
tree tops and another Great Grey Shrike was spotted. Looking towards the famous
‘’Hollywood Hill’’ we could distantly see one then two Lesser Spotted Eagles.
Although distant we still saw them perform some aerial acrobatics before
disappearing below the tree line.
 |
| Another impressive tower hide |
As we headed back along the track to the
car something large and black flew in front of us before landing on a tree next
to its nest hole. It turned out to be the bird of the trip, a Black Woodpecker!
As we watched the Jackdaw like woodpecker climb up and around the tree trunk
another briefly appeared. Despite having the safety of the nest hole so close
the Woodpecker stayed in view for around 15 minutes!
Throughout the week whilst travelling along
long stretches of road we saw loads of nesting pairs of White Stork. Many were
adding sticks to their impressive ‘nurseries’ and whilst stopping in a
supermarket car park we were even treated to views of a pair bill clapping.
 |
| No words needed |
Next stop was the underwhelming looking
Ilmatsalu Fish Ponds near Tartu, how deceiving looks can be! The surrounding
fields over the river were full of constantly flighty White fronted Geese and
the reed beds had multiple Marsh Harriers quartering them permanently whilst
Honey Buzzards flew above the distant plantation. The paths between ponds were
lifting with Blue Headed Yellow Wagtails and as we passed one of the canals a
Thrush Nightingale was singing from the scrub on the opposite bank. It was
surprisingly obliging hence the photo below.
 |
| Obliging |
The biggest pond had a diverse mixture of
species including typical winter ducks like Shoveler, Pintail and a Whooper
Swan as well as waders including Stunning summer plumage Spotted Redshanks,
male Ruff, Black Tailed Godwit and the most Wood Sandpipers I have ever seen. A
large gathering of Swallows over one of the smaller pond attracted a Hobby
which gave great views as it flew low overhead before diving at the Swallows.
It was eventually mobbed by others and flew out of sight. We also had fly over
Little and Great White Egrets.
After arriving and finding somewhere to
sleep and eat in Tartu we headed out to a Great Snipe Lek site. Unfortunately
only one bird was showing and I just missed it as it disappeared back into a
gully in the field.
No comments:
Post a Comment