Matsalu National Park
| Matsalu National Park | |
|---|---|
| Matsalu rahvuspark | |
Location of the Matsalu National Park | |
| Location | Estonia |
| Nearest city | Lihula |
| Coordinates | 58°45′36″N 23°35′49″E / 58.76000°N 23.59694°E |
| Area | 488.6 km2 (189 sq mi) |
| Established | 1957 |
| Official name | Matsalu Nature Reserve |
| Designated | 29 March 1994 |
| Reference no. | 104 |
Matsalu National Park (previously Matsalu Nature Reserve, Estonian: Matsalu rahvuspark, often just Matsalu) is a nature reserve and national park in the Lääne and Pärnu counties of Estonia. Matsalu National Park spans an area of 486.1 km2 (187.7 sq mi), comprising Matsalu Bay, the Kasari River delta, the village of Matsalu and surrounding areas.
Matsalu Bay is one of the most important wetland bird areas in Europe, due to its prime position on the East Atlantic Flyway. Large numbers of migratory birds use Matsalu as a staging area. Every spring over two million waterfowl pass Matsalu, of which around 1.6 million are long-tailed duck.
Matsalu National Park is a home for a number of endangered species, many of which are listed in the Estonian IUCN Red List, including white-tailed eagle in the highest conservation category, lots of bird species in the second and third protection categories, 22 strongly protected plant species, natterjack toad and ten species of mammal in the second conservation category.