Estonia’s Vilsandi National Park: A Birdwatcher’s Paradise

Vilsandi National Park in western Estonia protects nearly 100 islands, islets, and rocky outcrops and is recognized as having some of the purest air in Europe. In 1906, Artur Toom, a local lighthouse keeper, began independently protecting bird populations on the remote island, establishing what became the first protected area in the Baltic countries. Today, the park encompasses 48,594 hectares, over two-thirds of which are covered by the sea.

Vilsandi is a haven for avian life, with over 250 bird species recorded and 112 nesting on the island. It also hosts the largest common eider breeding colony in the Baltic Sea and is a vital stopover point for migratory birds. The park additionally protects gray seals and over 30 species of wild orchids.

A historic lighthouse within the park, Kiipsaare, now stands partially submerged due to coastal erosion and rising sea levels, serving as a stark visual reminder of climate change.