Emajõe Suursoo

Emajõe Suursoo Nature Reserve covers extensive wetland areas at the mouth of river Emajõgi and around its tributaries flowing in the basin of Lake Peipus. Species-diverse fens dominate the landscape, ordinary bogs take up only a small portion of the total area. There are about 80 bog islands with varying shapes and sizes which are found dotted throughout tha landscape. The delta marshland of the Emajõe Suursoo (Big Marsh) are the largest in Estonia, covering a total area of 200 km². The river Emajõgi and its tributaries and channels (Ahja, Koosa, Kalli and Kargaja rivers) flow through the wildlife reserve of Emajõe Suursoo, yet we can find numerous lakes with fascinating flora and fauna in the area. The largest lakes are Koosa, Kalli and Leegu. The headquarters of the reserve is located in Kavastu, a village on the banks of the river Emajõgi, where it is possible head off to an educational trail along the river, or to book a raft trip on the river. The principal value of Emajõe Suursoo is the diversity of wetland habitats. Such areas are destroyed in the several parts of Europe. It has also the biggest deposit of cranberries in Estonia. A total of 206 species of bird have been recorded in Emajõe Suursoo, 156 of them nesting.The area is a certified nature reserve of pan-European importance within the Natura 2000 network and has been recognised internationally as both an important (migratory-) bird area (IBA) and wetland (Ramsar Designation). You may see the majestic white-tailed eagle or how fishes the  osprey.