6 December (ERR)

During a two-day trip to Saaremaa bird watchers spotted three types of birds that haven't been seen in Estonia in wintertime before. The Ornithological Society keeps a list of bird sightings at difference times of the year. This weekend, bird watchers spied the sanderling, common greenshank, and red phalarope species, none of which have been previously been observed between December and February, reported Saarte Hääl.

Margus Ots, chair of the Ornithological Society, said the sightings can be attributed to unusually warm weather. The first two aforementioned birds are regulars in the region during the fall, but the red phalarope is a rare guest that apparently trailed off during an Atlantic storm.

Bird watchers also saw a host of other plumage that is rarely seen during the winter season. "Since the first cold wave has still not arrived, we have seen a lot of birds that live in warmer climates and usually leave Estonia in October or November," said bird watcher Mati Martinson.