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(3-day, the product package is
offered during the spring and autumn seasons from 20th April to 20th
May and from 25th September to 5th November)
DESCRIPTION: A group (an
optimum number of 10-15 people) will arrive at the Võrtsjärve Visiting Centre
in Rannu-Jõesuu, where they will be welcomed by a representative of Lake Võrtsjärv
Foundation (Mrs. Maret Kallejärv) and the trip leader of a birdwatching trip (Natourest
Ltd., Triin Ivandi). The options of the visiting centre and the area as a whole
will be introduced, a short overview of bird species in transmigration (Anseriformes,
Charadriiformes, Anatidae, etc) given. Light lunch will be served in the café
of the visiting centre. Birdwatching will be conducted at Lake Võrtsjärv
on 1st day and in the Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve on 2nd
and 3rd day within a gigantic canoe trip.
The most representative bird location at Lake Võrtsjärv
is the Väike-Rakke Polder, especially in the migration periods and at a high
water level. The Anseriformes and Charadriiformes feed in fields between Tamme
and Sangla and rest on the flooded polder. Up to 35,000 individuals of geese
(mostly the Greater White-fronted Goose) have been counted here in spring,
while even up to 50,000 individuals in autumn; also rarities have been
encountered among geese – the Red-Breasted Goose, for instance. The Wigeon, Shoveler
and Garganey, Goldeneye and Pochard rest in great numbers on the polder, while
the Smew, Great Crested Grebe and Red-necked Grebe and other aquatic birds may
be encountered here too. Of the Charadriiformes, the Curlew, Ruff, Wood
Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank rest on the polder in the largest numbers. Also
such rarities, as the Marsh Sandpiper, Little Crake and Citrine Wagtail, have
been spotted in Väike-Rakke. The large number of resting aquatic birds will
also attract a large number of birds of prey. A number of the Bittern, Marsh
Harrier, European and Great Reed Warbler nest in the thickets of reeds of Lake Võrtsjärv.
During the autumn migration, a peculiarity of Lake Võrtsjärv
is massive transmigration of the Smew (in addition to the large flocks of
geese).
The Tamme Outcrop Landscape Protection Area is
situated on the east shore of Lake Võrtsjärv, in an area between Tamme and Neemisküla Villages
of Rannu Rural Municipality.
The sandstone of the Aruküla bed is exposed here. The Tamme outcrop is known as
a deposit of the Placodermi. Here and there a good view on the lake opens from
the high outcrop.
After an
interesting birdwatching day full of impressions, the people will be taken to
Vaibla to the Veldeman Guesthouse, where they will have dinner and stay for the
night. The sauna will be heated for the visitors too.
In addition to
the birdwatching in the outdoors, we offer a magnificent slideshow, “Bird’s-eye
view of the River Emajõgi”, presented by the nature photographer Arne Ader, who
is one of the authors of the said show. If a more general overview of Estonian
nature is desired, it is possible to order another slideshow from the
collection of Arne Ader. Arne Ader is also a great storyteller and will surely
add extra value to the photos with his talk.
In the morning
of the second day breakfast will be eaten in the Veldemam Guesthouse and then
the people will head for Rannu-Jõesuu, where the group will be welcomed by the
guide of a canoe trip (hiking guide of 360 Kraadi Ltd, Bert Rähni), who will
introduce the itinerary, give an overview of the trip planned, speak about
safety and make sure that all the members of the group are equipped with
lifejackets.
The main themes
of the canoe trip on the River Alam-Pedja are the nature and diverse network of
the inland waters of one of the largest and most difficultly accessible
protection areas of Estonia.
We will row on the Rivers Emajõgi, Pede, Põltsamaa, make a tour around Lake Võrtsjärv,
see the beavers, listen to the birds and howl the wolves out of the woods.The people will canoe from Jõesuu to Palupõhja
Village, leave their belongings in the nature school and eat hiking dinner.
Before the
sunset they will return to the river, since only then it becomes really
exciting there. The old rivers of the River Emajõgi serve as an ideal habitat
for beavers. We will row quietly to a beaver lodge, where we will probably be
lucky enough to observe an animal. As it is getting dark, we will be going
downstream quietly and trying to hear the howl of the wolves. The wolves are
very keen on communicating, especially in autumn, as cubs are being taught wolf
life. The roe deer, pigs and moose will come to feed in the meadows followed by
a pack of wolves. We may be lucky to happen to be in the same area with the
wolves in that very evening …
In the evening
the sauna will be heated and impressions exchanged before a fireplace. On the
second day of the hike the people will row to the mouth of the River Pede and
on to the River Põltsamaa. The hike will end at the Laashoone Bridge. During
the day we will see a wide variety of river landscapes – first the powerful and
rapid Suur-Emajõgi, then the quiet, wide, straight and dark-watered Pede, and
finally the narrow and winding Põltsamaa.
The group will
be taken to the next destination desired, if need be. Price: 102,26 Euros per person
PROVIDERS: Lake Võrtsjärv
Foundation, Natourest Ltd., 360 Kraadi Ltd., Veldemani Guesthouse, Loodusemees
Ltd. 
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