Kabli Beach

Kabli sits on the southwestern shore where the coast runs south toward Latvia, and the beach here is sand and shingle backed by pine, quiet even in summer, with shallow water and sunsets straight out over the gulf. The other reason to come is birds: this shoreline funnels migration, and the Kabli bird station, working since 1969, is one of the longest-running ringing operations in the region, catching and ringing very large numbers of passerines each autumn as they move down the coast. A visitor centre and a nature trail run from the station, and the ringing can be watched in season. Old fishing sheds and a small harbour sit at the shore.

What you actually see

• The bird station - the ringing operation in the autumn migration season.
• The beach - the quiet sand and shingle shore backed by pine.
• The nature trail - the marked route from the station along the coast.
• Fishing sheds - the old buildings at the small harbour.

When to go

August to October for the migration and the ringing, which is when the station is most active. May to September for the beach. Sunsets over the water are a feature year round.

Honest expectations

Ringing demonstrations depend on the station's schedule and on catches, and are not run to order. The beach has no facilities beyond a car park. The water is shallow and cold. Mosquitoes in the pine behind are persistent.

Nearby

The Latvian border lies south; Parnu is north.