A species protection site is a protected area established for the protection of the habitats and sites of protected species

A species protection site is an area located outside of a protected area or in the limited management zone of a protected area, which is delimited according to the Nature Conservation Act and can be used in accordance with special requirements, and which is: the reproduction site or place of other periodic concentration of protected animals; the natural habitat of a protected plant or fungus; the spawning site of salmon or river lamprey; the hibernation site of the brown bear; the natural habitat of crayfish; a badger sett with more than ten entrances.

According to the Nature Conservation Act, a species protection site is created automatically for:

• the nesting tree of a flying squirrel and the surrounding area within the radius of 25 metres;
• the nesting tree of a white-tailed eagle, short-toed eagle, or osprey and the surrounding area within the radius of 200 metres;
• the nesting tree of a greater spotted eagle or black stork and the surrounding area within the radius of 250 metres;
• the nesting tree of a lesser spotted eagle and the surrounding area within the radius of 100 metres;
• the nesting tree of a golden eagle and the surrounding area within the radius of 500 metres;
• nesting tree of a mixed couple of a greater spotted eagle and lesser spotted eagle, and the surrounding area within the radius of 250 metres.

As at 31.12.2023, there are more than 1900 species protection sites in Estonia.

Last modified: 13.02.2023