ESTONIA & LATVIA

Our Estonia & Latvia tour 16th - 23rd May 2009 produced 180 species, though the migration was a littler slower than on previous tours. That said, you can't argue with seeing continuous streams of Barnacle Geese, Greater White-fronted Geese, Long-tailed Duck and Common Scoter, as well as smaller numbers of Greater Scaup, Velvet Scoter and Black and Red-throated Divers. Several Eurasian Hobby, White-tailed and Lessser Spotted Eagles, Common Cranes, Red-necked Grebe, Garganey, Smew, Great White Egret, Black Storks, Whiskered, White-winged Black and Black Terns were noted along with a few Bean Goose, Montagu's Harriers, Rough-legged Buzzard, Arctic Skua, Honey Buzzard, Red-necked Phalarope, Osprey, Golden Oriole and Hawfinch. Warblers were late arriving, but we still managed Great Reed, Savi's, Icterine, Grasshopper and Marsh while Citrine Wagtail, Penduline and Bearded Tits, Red-breasted Flycatcher, European Nightjar, European Serin, Thrush Nightingale, Red-backed Shrike and Common Rosefinch provided the other passerine highlights. Great Snipe is always a much wanted species and they were seen on the lek, Grey-headed, Black and White-backed Woodpeckers, Temminck's Stint, Spotted Redshank, Capercaillie, Black and Hazel Grouse, Racoon Dog, European Beaver and Pine Marten rounded off a very enjoyable holiday. we will be returning from 15TH - 22ND MAY 2010.