Wildlife photography in Estonia
One of the most important and endangered type of forests in Estonia is Western Taiga. Western Taiga is a complex forest habitat type, ranging from dry pine forest (Pinus sylvestris) to damp spruce forests (Picea abies). Some stands in such forests may be quite young, having regenerated after a forest fire that may have occured over a hundred years ago while others will be significantly more mature. In all cases, natural undistributed Western Taiga – not subjected to commercial forestry – is extremely rich, providing habitats for many threatened species of lichens, bryophytes, insects and birds. The dead wood, in particular, plays a central role in maintaining this high conservation value.
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| Wolf / Valeri Štšerbatõh |
Estonian forests are renowned in Europe for their rare mammals with 700-800 Lynx, over 150 Wolves, 500-600 Brown Bears and almost 20 000 Beavers - quite astonishing for such a small country. And the Flying Squirrel is the pride of Estonian forests – in Europe they can only be found in Estonia and Finland.
Our small group tours offer you the best possible opportunity to get that dream photo.
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| Beaver / Sven Zacek |
Programmes can be viewed when choosing Tour dossier from the right menu. Discount does not apply to Tailor-made holidays.
BOOK HERE will guide you to our booking system (coming next week), where it is possible to insert data and also instantly pay by credit card. Another possibility is to pay through bank transfer. Automatic invoice and confirmation will be sent to your email address.
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Beaver photography in South-Estonia
Group size: max 3 (or 3+3)
Period: April – August (prior agreement of dates is requested)
Tartu and Põlva region, South-Estonia. From Tallinn to Tartu ca 190 km.
We are delighted to present a totally new opportunity in Estonia from the year 2009 – the Beaver safaries lead by top specialist of semi-aquatic mammals in Estonia, Remek Meel who says „In my career, whether working at science and monitoring, photographing or filming or lecturing on wildlife and setting out study programmes, all my work has been related to semi-aquatic mammals. There is nothing better than spending an evening with beavers and focusing on the world of this mysterious mammal which lives half of its time in water and the other half on land. This is real therapy!“
Estonian forests and woodlands are well-known in Europe for their high number of semi-aquatic mammals. Almost 20 000 Beavers and 2 000 Otters are beyond doubt an exceptional number for such a small territory. Beavers are more than intriguing and sensitive animals with flat tails and lustrous fur. American Indians called the beaver the "sacred center" of the land because this species creates rich habitats for other mammals, fish, turtles, frogs, birds and ducks. Since beavers prefer to dam streams in shallow winding rivers and primeval forests, much of the flooded area becomes wetlands. Such wetlands are cradles of life with biodiversity that can rival tropical rain forests.
Also, the water downstream of dams is cleaner and requires less treatment. The latter occurs because several feet of silt collect upstream of older beaver dams, and toxins, such as pesticides, are broken down in the wetlands that beavers create.
We should be pleased to have such a strong population of Beavers in Estonia.
Itinerary and conditions
You will reach the wetland and heathland forest environments and enjoy Beaver photography on foot and by boat led by the top specialist of semi-aquatic mammals in Estonia, Remek Meel (with group size more than 3 people led by two specialists). This wild region with winding streams holds a good population of European Beavers and there is a chance of Beaver sightings by looking for them from land here. With an early start - two hours before first light (in April-May at 3.30am!) you will leave the Beavers a few hours after sunrise and transfer back to the hotel (guesthouse) for a good rest in the late morning and afternoon. In the evening (2 hours before sunset), you will take a boat ride through Emajõgi river to listen to the night sounds of the wetlands. Dusk is the time that Beavers leave their lodges to spend an industrious night felling riverside trees and saplings. A little quiet patience is required here, but with luck you are likely to see several individuals going about their nightly construction work and swimming about.
The change to see Beavers is very high (90 – 95%). Also, it is fantastic to watch (and hear)
the wetlands and forests come alive as the rays of the morning sun warm the surroundings or
evening sun has set behind treetops. From the beginning of April, all the swamps and bogs
resound with Black Grouses at sunrise. In late May, Corncrakes and Great Snipe become
very active at dusk
Price: 180 Euro per person per day
Includes: English speaking specialist-guide, local transportation, boat-trip, mosquito nets.
Excludes: transfer from Tallinn to the hotel (guesthouse) and back, accommodation, meals, equipments.
If you would like to get very close and high quality shots of Beavers, we recommend to book at least 2 days.
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| Beaver / Remek Meel |
We would be happy to give you more information and offer an extra tour whenever you find a suitable time. Plan your dates and book your dream tour as soon as possible!
Click here and read Terms and Conditions...
NB! We have the expertise to discuss your requirements and arrange suitable accommodation and a rental car for your itinerary. Pickup of rental car is available on arrival at Tallinn (or Riga) Airport ... office (the accepted partner). In the vehicle there is a general information and map of Estonia, rules of protected species and areas, brochures of Estonian nature and directions how to find overnight places confirmed and paid for beforehand. Rental car return will be specified at the time of pickup.
And – good news for customers who would like to make their own bookings– those reserving rental vehicles through our website are entitled to receive preferred rates from our partner.
There are many other opportunities for different trips in this area in Spring focusing on the birds and mammals, observing and photographing with a group size that is more than three people. Such forest bird species as Black and Three-toed Woodpecker, Hazel Grouse, Black Grouse and Ural Owl will be encountered, plus good numbers of mammals such as Wild Boar, Fox and Roe Deer. There are hides designed specifically for the photography of lekking Black Grous and feeding Wild Boar.
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White-tailed Eagle photography in Western Estonia.
Group size: max 1-2
Period: December – February (prior agreement of dates is requested)
Estonian Nature Tours proudly presents the White-tailed Eagle feeding site in Western Estonia established in year 2007.
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| White-tailed Eagles near feeding site / Mati Kose |
There is a photography hide next to a feeding place giving the opportunity to get very close shots on the Eagles. In Winter 2007/2008 there were at least 20 different White-tailed Eagles visiting the place and during the best days 5-7 individuals landed at the feeding site. Sometimes single Golden Eagles and Buzzards also appear.
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| Small caravan is now used as photography hide / Marko Valker |
The hide is designed for a maximum of two photographers. The best period for White-tailed Eagle photography (lead by top specialist of eagles in Estonia, Tiit Randla) is in December & January, but February is also good.
See also online web camera
Click here and see video
There are many opportunities for different trips focusing on the wintering birds, observing and photographing with a group size that is more than two people. Despite the short daylight hours such forest species as Black Woodpecker, Nutcracker, Crested Tit, Hazel Grouse, Ural Owl and with very good luck Hawk Owl will be encountered, plus good numbers of arctic waterbirds like Goosander, Long-tailed Duck and Goldeneye in Cape Põõsaspea. And of course the first flocks of Steller’s Eiders at their wintering grounds in Saaremaa island.
Brown Bear Photography in North-East Estonia
Group size: max 2
Period: May – June (prior agreement of dates is requested)
Alutaguse, Tudu, North-Eastern Estonia, close to Russian border.
Estonian Nature Tours proudly presents the first Brown Bear feeding site in North-East Estonia, established in 2009. Estonian nature photographers have already taken several high quality photos from the hide. Four different bears have been seen on the feeding area and the chance of seeing a bear is 90 %.
This totally new opportunity takes us to one of the most densely forested corners of Estonia - it is similar in appearance to taiga and is called Alutaguse. A large storm in 2001, and forest cuttings after that, have changed the look of this landscape a lot. New forest is the best place to find Roe Deer and Elk who in turn are targets for carnivores. Also, Alutaguse is situated near the Russian border and forms a solid natural landscape through to St.Peterburg Oblast´s forests and bogs. That´s why Alutaguse is an area with huge number of Bears and now, after hundreds of years, is also the heart of Estonian "bear culture". There are numerous real-life stories of young bears in human villages but local people still manage to take it with humor and live side by side with bears. Other storys relate to wolves as this animal can kill 30 sheep at one night just to teach killing to their youngsters.
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Brown Bear near feeding site / Jarek Jõepera
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Special Conditions
There is a photography hide for a maximum of 2 photographers in the forest. The distance from the hide to feeding place is just 50 metres giving the opportunity to get very close shots on Brown Bears. The wooden hide is cozy, with comfortable seats and viewing slots at the front. There are four camera holes – two of them higher and two lower and beds at the back for those not prepared to sit up all through the night. At the far end is a separate dry toilet (wet napkins/tissues offered by us). The surrounding atmosphere is superb for taking high quality photos,spruce forest with some fallen treesand the light conditions are good since the hide is situated at the edge of a clearing.
At the late afternoon (17.00pm), the local specialist will guide you through the forest (1 km) to the Bear Hide.
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| Bear hide / Bert Rähni |
You need to be prepared for staying in the hide for through until 8:00 am at least, however, it is possible to sleep in hide as well. Brown Bear can appear at any time during the night (sometimes even before dark). Racoon Dogs and sometimes even wolves can also occasionally visit the feeding place.
You will remain in the hide during the early morning. Whether or not you are in luck, it is fantastic to watch (and hear) the forest come alive as the rays of the morning sun warm the clearing and the species in it. Forest tits, Spotted Flycatchers, Crossbills and other passerines are at their most active, restlessly flitting about in search of food. Sometimes single Golden Eagles and Buzzards also appear. If you are fortunate you may hear Capercaillie, Black Grouse or even see several species of woodpeckers from the hide.
You will enjoy your breakfast at the guesthouse and take a rest until to the lunchtime.
Price: 170 Euro per hide
Includes: overnight in the hide.
Excludes: accommodation, meals, transportation, sleeping bags, equipment.
We would be happy to give you more information and offer an extra tour whenever you find a suitable time. Plan your dates and book your dream tour as soon as possible!
Click here and read Terms and Conditions...
NB! We have the expertise to discuss your requirements and arrange suitable accommodation (price begins from 25 Euro per person per night) and a rental car for your itinerary. Pickup of rental car is available on arrival at Tallinn (or Riga) Airport ... office (the accepted partner). In the vehicle there is a general information and map of Estonia, rules of protected species and areas, brochures of Estonian nature and directions how to find overnight places confirmed and paid for beforehand. Rental car return will be specified at the time of pickup.
And – good news for customers who would like to make their own bookings– those reserving rental vehicles through our website are entitled to receive preferred rates from our partner.
Driving instructions:
From Tallinn to Rakvere ca 100 km, from Rakvere to Tudu about 50 km.
Also, we can provide expert advice from a local guide on tracking for mammals and this is available on request.
You will spend the day exploring on foot and by vehicle in one of the Estonian´s best known Brown Bear regions looking for signs, droppings, scratching on the trees as well as tracks of Wolf packs with our local specialist. You have a slim chance of seeing one of the more elusive residents such as Wolf, Lynx and Wild Boar! Even if you don´t see any of these animals, you will have plenty of fun deciphering the many mammal tracks we find along the way! You may also be entertained by other attractions in this area which include Black Grouse, Capercaillie, Hazel Grouse, Wryneck and some interesting woodpeckers.
Lenses
Bears here are shy (not so daring as in Finland!), so 300 – 600 mm lenses are good choice.
Tripod
There are four camera holes – two of them higher and two lower. You can´t attach your tripod head to the board in this hide so please bring your tripod & head with you.
Field clothing
Normal outdoor clothing is recommended. We recommend to dress in layers, because it can be quite chilly during the night and in the early hours in the morning. Stout walking boots are recommended. Mosquitos can be plentiful in May – June, but they are not a problem while you are in the hide.
Instructions for Brown Bear Photographers
Please notice that smoking and drinking is strictly forbidden on the way to the hide and in the hide as the strong smell frightens mammals.
Please remove your hiking boots after entering the hide.
There are beds at the back for those not prepared to sit up all through the night but please note there are no sleeping bags in the hide (only mats offered by us)!
At the far end is a separate dry toilet (wet napkins/tissues offered by us). Please sprinkle your excrement with peat and close the cover every time!
Bears are shy (not so daring as in Finland!), so it essential that when you communicate with your fellow photographer, never speak loudly.
It is ok to change lenses during the photography but please do so only when the bears are a little further away. They might be scared if you do it quickly when they are nearby and especially if any noise is made during the change.
Please use the log book in the hide to record all species of mammals and birds you have seen during the night.
Please don´t leave any rubbish in the hide.
NB! Once you have entered the hide in the afternoon (latest at 18.00pm), you are not allowed the come out before the next morning when the local guide will give you the signal that it is ok to come out (earliest at 8.00am).
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