Vilsandi National Park is a group of islands located in the Baltic Sea, near the north-west coast of the Estonian Saaremaa Islands. The reserve was founded in 1993. Now its total area is 10689 ha, of which 940 hectares is water area. However, Vilsandi National Park did not become such a huge national park immediately. In 1906 Arthur Toom, the keeper of the Vislandi lighthouse, undertook to protect the birds on 6 islands. birds on six islands. And in 1910 the islands of Vilsandi and Vaika received the status of ornithological reserves. They were subsequently joined by about 100 more offshore rocky islands, which are true dolomitised coral reefs of the warm Silurian sea.
The following areas are now included: Vilsandi Island, 160 other islands, the western part of Saaremaa Island and the peninsula Hariland. The location of Vilsandi National Park is the area of Kihekonna in Saaremaa county. The reserve was created to protect the nature of the coastal landscape, its research and, of course, the aim is to preserve the cultural heritage of the West Estonian archipelago. Vilsandi Island is the only inhabited island in the protected area. in the protected area, it is small - only 6 kilometres long and only 3 kilometres wide, The coastline of the island is riddled with bays, coves and headlands.
Vilsandi National Park is primarily known as a bird sanctuary. There are 247 species birds, 114 of which nest in the spring within the reserve. In the waters of the reserve, mainly on Innarahu Island, are home to a large number of grey seals that breed in the snowless winters.
Vilsandi National Park is home to about 600 species of plants, including rare plants.
The reserve is of international importance and is primarily valuable for its many species. The reserve is of international importance and is primarily valuable for the diversity of bird species that stop here, nest here and nest here. stop, nest and feed here. Among the 250 species, there are some particularly valuable species, such as whole colonies of the common eider. The following species are widespread Bewick's swan, thin-billed murrelet, ducks, mottled tern, golden-cheeked tern, great and Long-tailed Merganser and Sandpiper. There are 99 species of birds recorded, nesting in Vilsandi National Park. In addition, it confirms information that many birds pass through Vilsandi on their migration routes, including barnacle and barnacle geese, whooper swan and others.
The scientific department of the Vilsandi Vilsandi National Park is dedicated to improving the ecology of the reserve. And also and regulating the number of eider ducks.
The tourist area is quite well developed, there is something for every visitor. You can choose from a large number of hiking trails, equipped with a sufficient number of viewing observation platforms for easy birdwatching.
