Birds to See in Estonia in May
195 species listed for May · birdwatchers' records, 2019–2024
195 bird species on our list for Estonia are recorded regularly in May. Of these, the most often recorded are Chaffinch, Hooded Crow, Pied Wagtail, Chiffchaff and Blackbird. New this month: Common Swift, Whitethroat, Cuckoo and Common Rosefinch and 24 more.
New in May28
- Common Swift
- Whitethroat
- Cuckoo
- Common Rosefinch
- Sedge Warbler
- Spotted Flycatcher
- Grey Plover
- Brent Goose
- Garden Warbler
- Red-backed Shrike
- Marsh Warbler
- Common Reed-warbler
- Corncrake
- Sand Martin
- Curlew Sandpiper
- European Honey-buzzard
- Red Knot
- Golden Oriole
- Grasshopper Warbler
- Little Stint
- Black Tern
- Ruddy Turnstone
- Firecrest
- Temminck's Stint
- Nightjar
- European Turtle-dove
- Red-necked Phalarope
- Bluethroat
Leaving after last month6
Residents
(26)Recorded all year
Hooded Crow
Corvus cornixLC
Recorded all year
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
Recorded all year
Black-headed Gull
Chroicocephalus ridibundusLC
Recorded all year
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
Recorded all year
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
Recorded all year
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
Recorded all year
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
Recorded all year
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
Recorded all year
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
Recorded all year
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinellaLC
Recorded all year
White-tailed Sea-eagle
Haliaeetus albicillaLC
Recorded all year
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
Recorded all year
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
Recorded all year
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
Recorded all year
Jackdaw
Coloeus monedulaLC
Recorded all year
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
Recorded all year
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
Recorded all year
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
Recorded all year
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
Regularly Dec–Oct
Magpie
Pica picaLC
Recorded all year
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
Recorded all year
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanusLC
Recorded all year
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Recorded all year
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
Recorded all year
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
Recorded all year
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Dryobates minorLC
Recorded all year
Summer visitors
(113)Arrives to breed; scarce or absent in winter
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
Recorded all year
Pied Wagtail
Motacilla albaLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
Regularly Apr–Oct
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
Regularly Apr–Oct
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
Regularly Feb–Nov
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
Recorded all year
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
Regularly Feb–Oct
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Common Crane
Grus grusLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
Regularly May–Aug
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
Regularly Mar–Nov
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
Regularly Mar–Sep
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
Regularly Jan–Nov
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
Regularly Apr–Aug
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialisLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
Regularly Mar–Oct
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
Regularly Feb–Oct
Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flavaLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
Regularly May–Aug
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Ruff
Calidris pugnaxLC
Regularly Apr–Oct
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
Regularly Jan–Nov
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
Regularly Apr–Oct
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
European Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleucaLC
Regularly Apr–Aug
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Wood Warbler
Phylloscopus sibilatrixLC
Regularly Apr–Aug
Western Marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
Regularly Mar–Nov
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
Regularly Mar–Sep
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
Regularly May–Aug
Eurasian Teal
Anas creccaLC
Regularly Mar–Jan
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
Regularly Jan–Oct
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
Regularly Apr–Oct
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
Regularly May–Sep
Common Rosefinch
Carpodacus erythrinusLC
Regularly May–Aug
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
Regularly Feb–Dec
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
Regularly Apr–Oct
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
Regularly Apr–Oct
Coot
Fulica atraLC
Regularly Feb–Dec
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
Regularly Apr–Dec
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
Regularly May–Sep
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Regularly Mar–Jan
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
Regularly Mar–Sep
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
Regularly Apr–Oct
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
Recorded all year
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Eider
Somateria mollissimaNT
Regularly Mar–Oct
Little Tern
Sternula albifronsLC
Regularly Apr–Aug
Little Ringed Plover
Thinornis dubiusLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
Regularly May–Aug
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
Regularly Apr–Aug
Wryneck
Jynx torquillaLC
Regularly Apr–Aug
Montagu's Harrier
Circus pygargusLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
Regularly Jan–Nov
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
Regularly Apr–Aug
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
Regularly Mar–Aug
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
Regularly Mar–Aug
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Arctic Loon
Gavia arcticaLC
Regularly Mar–Nov
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
Regularly May–Sep
Savi's Warbler
Locustella luscinioidesLC
Regularly Apr–Jul
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
Regularly Apr–Jul
Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricariaLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Woodlark
Lullula arboreaLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurioLC
Regularly May–Sep
Corncrake
Crex crexLC
Regularly May–Jul
Grey Plover
Pluvialis squatarolaLC
Regularly May–Oct
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
Regularly Mar–Oct
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
Regularly May–Sep
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
Regularly Apr–Oct
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
Regularly Apr–Nov
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
Regularly Mar–Oct
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
Regularly Apr–Aug
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
Regularly May–Aug
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritusVU
Regularly Apr–Sep
Golden Oriole
Oriolus oriolusLC
Regularly May–Aug
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
Regularly Apr–Oct
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
Regularly Feb–Oct
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
Regularly Mar–Jan
Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naeviaLC
Regularly May–Aug
Bearded Tit
Panurus biarmicusLC
Regularly Apr–Oct
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
Regularly Feb–Nov
Marsh Warbler
Acrocephalus palustrisLC
Regularly May–Aug
European Honey-buzzard
Pernis apivorusLC
Regularly May–Sep
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Serin
Serinus serinusLC
Regularly Apr–Oct
Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeusLC
Regularly May–Sep
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
Regularly May–Sep
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
Regularly Feb–Nov
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
Regularly Apr–Aug
Long-eared Owl
Asio otusLC
Regularly Apr–Jul
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
Regularly Mar–Jan
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatusLC
Regularly May–Jul
European Turtle-dove
Streptopelia turturVU
Regularly May–Aug
Winter visitors
(25)Present outside the breeding season
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
Recorded all year
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
Recorded all year
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
Recorded all year
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
Recorded all year
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
Recorded all year
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
Regularly Sep–May
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
Regularly Jul–May
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
Regularly Oct–Aug
Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnusLC
Recorded all year
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
Recorded all year
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
Recorded all year
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
Recorded all year
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
Recorded all year
Velvet Scoter
Melanitta fuscaVU
Recorded all year
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
Recorded all year
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
Regularly Jul–May
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
Regularly Sep–May
Crested Tit
Lophophanes cristatusLC
Recorded all year
Willow Tit
Poecile montanusLC
Recorded all year
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
Recorded all year
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
Recorded all year
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
Regularly Aug–Jun
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
Regularly Sep–Jun
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
Regularly Sep–May
Northern Goshawk
Astur gentilisLC
Recorded all year
Passage migrants
(31)Seen mainly in spring and autumn migration
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
Regularly Sep–May
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Tundra Swan
Cygnus columbianusLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Tundra Bean Goose
Anser serrirostrisLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Arctic Jaeger
Stercorarius parasiticusLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Black Grouse
Lyrurus tetrixLC
Regularly Feb–Oct
Temminck's Stint
Calidris temminckiiLC
Regularly May–Aug
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
Regularly Sep–May
Rough-legged Hawk
Buteo lagopusLC
Regularly Sep–May
Razorbill
Alca tordaLC
Regularly Apr–Nov
Western Capercaillie
Tetrao urogallusLC
Regularly Oct–Jun
Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
Regularly May–Oct
Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneusLC
Regularly Mar–Oct
Black Guillemot
Cepphus grylleLC
Regularly Mar–Dec
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
Regularly Apr–Oct
Little Stint
Calidris minutaLC
Regularly May–Sep
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
Regularly Apr–Sep
Parrot Crossbill
Loxia pytyopsittacusLC
Regularly Oct–May
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
Regularly May–Sep
Bluethroat
Luscinia svecicaLC
Regularly May–Sep
Firecrest
Regulus ignicapillaLC
Regularly May–Sep
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
Regularly May–Sep
Lapland Longspur
Calcarius lapponicusLC
Regularly Apr–May
Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetosLC
Regularly Mar–Jun
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
Regularly Mar–May
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
Regularly Apr–Oct
Hoopoe
Upupa epopsLC
Regularly Apr–Jun
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
Regularly Apr–May
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
Regularly Feb–Sep
Red-breasted Goose
Branta ruficollisVU
Regularly Apr–Oct
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made