Animals

Author: Andres Aruoja	Author: Kristo Köhler
Author: Tanel Voormansik	Author: Kristo Köhler

Estonia is very rich of wild animals. Our climate and ecological conditions are very good for different kind of species. In Estonia there are very many different species and animals’ multiplicity is very good.

Big number of large carnivores, like the bear, lynx and wolf indicates good ecological condition of Estonian forest. Although may be not as many as 1000, as estimated by over-enthusiastic hunters, there are still hundreds of lynx dwelling in the large forests of Estonia, together with 200 wolves and more than 600 brown bears. Big forest tracts are home to an animal found in few other parts of Europe, the Flying Squirrel.

Wild animal’s multiplicity in Estonia:

• Moose: Biggest animal in Estonian forests- More than 9000 exemplars
• Brown bear- Biggest carnivore in Estonian woods- more than 600 exemplars
• Wolf- around 200 exemplars
• Wild boar- around 15000 exemplars
• Roe deer- unknown, but may reach even 100 000.
• Foxes and raccoon dogs- 30000- 50000 exemplars
• Lynx- almost 1000 exemplars
• Beaver- more than 14000 exemplars
• Red deer- 1300 exemplars

Also we have many smaller species in Estonia.

Birds

Author: Kristo Kõhler	Author: Andres Aruoja
Author: Kaido Kärner	Author: Kaido Kärner

There are more than 330 bird species in Estonia. Most common bird in Estonia is chaffinch. More than 2 million exemplars of this bird visits Estonia every year.

You can see birds everywhere in Estonia. They nest in parks, in forests, in swamps and also in sea side.

Most common nesting places in Estonia are forest, because half of Estonia territory is covered with forest.  Also very important nesting place for migratory birds is seaside. During migration periods, Estonia is a cross point for arctic waterfowl along the East-Atlantic Flyway of migration. According to estimates, up to 50 million water- and coastal birds pass the Estonian coasts during migration time. The abundance of coastal wetlands makes Estonia extremely attractive for waterfowl. A lot of them would stop here to build up their resources for the long journey to their breeding grounds in Russian arctic. At the peak time in two first decades of May every small inlet swarms with ducks, geese and swans. That is something what you have to see to believe.

Rarest birds in Estonia are: Sea eagle, golden eagle, fish eagle, peregrine, black stork, coturnix, corn crake, coracias and great grey shrike.

Flora

Author: Tanel Voormansik	Author: Andres Aruoja
Author: Vahur Mäe	Author: Vahur Mäe

Almost half of Estonian territory is under forest and woodlands; the area of forest stands has more than doubled during last half of the past century and is still growing. Forest is one of the biggest values of Estonia and that’s why they are under big attention and protection.
Estonia is situated on a transitional area where the coniferous Euro-Siberian taiga opens onto a European zone of deciduous forests - or so called boreo -nemoral zone. In Estonia you may find big coniferous forests and also many very big and valuable deciduous forests.  

In Estonia we have very rare types of forests- primeval forests. Primeval forests are totally unmolested. They are very good inhabitation place for animals and birds. There you may find most rare animal, bird and plant species.

Most common trees in Estonian forests are Pine, spruce, white birch, aspen and alder.