Matsalu National Park is the most famous reserve and oldest Ramsar wetland site in Estonia. At times of peak passage over a million diving ducks have been estimated passing along the coast here, whilst counts of wild swans and Barnacle Geese regularly number tens of thousands. But Matsalu is much more than just an avian motorway service station and among the 170 breeding birds recorded from the reserve are species such as Red-necked Grebe, Bittern, Osprey, White-tailed Eagle and Caspian Tern. The reserve is designated for birds, and includes  protection of their roosting, feeding and nesting areas. Open communities, especially meadows, are amongst the most valuable parts of the Matsalu landscape. Unlike many other reserves in Estonia, the landscape is strongly influenced by human impact. Semi-natural communities need annual management (grazing, mowing)to preserve them as they are. Purple Milk-vetch and Crested Cow-wheat can be seen here in June-July, also various orchid species such as Lady´s Slipper, Fly, Military, Musk and Geater Butterfly Orchids.