2017-08-03 From Haapsalu Estonia to the Silma bird reserve and observation tower

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Vanamoisa campsite near Tallin to Haapsalu

Another night on the seafront car park that doubles as an aire de camping cars here in Haapsalu, Estonia. There are two portable toilets on site, last night they were serviced by two men who arrived early evening in a specially-equipped truck.

Today we plan to visit the  Silma bird reserve about 40km north of Haapsalu, also know as the Saare observation tower. It takes us some while to find the track that leads to the hides, it feels like a wild goose chase, but eventually, by watching where some locals walk to we find the footpath and the hide signs.

The lakes and reed beds are good but not too many birds. We see two heron, swans, coots, pochard and little grebe and a hen harrier comes close, hovering overhead so we see her very well. Birdwatching reports say that this is a really good place, with lots of birds, all I can say is that the people who wrote those reports were not here today. They must have visited on a day when more birds were active.

It is almost 4.00pm when we get back to the camper, too late to drive to the other bird reserve at Matsula, so drive back to Lahe and Haapsalu and camp here for a second night. In the evening, we walk into Haapsalu town and visit the castle which is immense, built in about 1259 and a very important defensive castle against the Danes, Swedes and Russians.

We walk back through the town and surprised to find it is very lively with many eating places and a good atmosphere. We think we should have eaten here tonight

Saare bird tower photos

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Motorhome return tour from Turku in Finland to the UK via the Baltic States

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