Out here for a few days with David Lindo and one of his friends and staying at a nice rustic holiday home, with a watchtower over Matsalu Bay.

We were joined at dinner by another group of Brits with their Finnish guide and it turns out that 3 were from Ramsbottom! *waves* Its a small (birding) world!!

So far, with our local guide, we have not travelled far, but we have picked up a respectable number of species (70+) in dry, but increasingly chilly conditions.

Amongst the many highlights so far

- the huge flocks of migrating Cranes - with several flocks of over 500 birds
- Lots of Geese too. Barnacle Goose being the most plentiful, but also fab views of Bean Goose and White-fronted Goose, in flight and on the deck
- a single Red-breasted Goose in amongst a huge flock of Barnacle Geese, seen on the ground and in flight
- Lots of duck. Huge numbers of Common Pochard, plus good numbers of Wigeon, Teal and Mallard. 100s of Scaup
- Good numbers of Goosander and Red-breasted Merganser
- Black Woodpecker
- ever-present White-tailed Eagles
- great views of a hunting male Hen Harrier
- Good, but distant view of a hunting Great Grey Shrike hovering (I didn't know that they did that)
- a single Black Grouse in meadows
- Good views of Hawfinch
- Migrating Woodlark

Only 2 lifers for me (Red-Breasted Goose and Bean Goose), but a great start to this short break.