Bonn, 11 November 2015 - Üllar works as a Senior Officer at the Estonian Ministry of the Environment and serves as the Estonian National Focal Point to AEWA as well as to CMS and EUROBATS. A mammal ecologist, Üllar also lectures at the Tallinn University of Technology. During his studies of mammals on various Estonian marine islands in the Baltic Sea as well as across Fennoscandia, he also had ample opportunities to acquaint himself with the abundant bird life throughout the region.

“In my experience, AEWA has been the most visionary tool within the CMS Family - providing inspiration, tools and guidance for both national and international species conservation.

Estonia is situated on the “migration highway” of the east Atlantic flyway and is at a crossroads for several millions of migratory birds each spring and autumn. Since joining the Agreement in late 2008, Estonia has profited from participating actively in international waterbird conservation issues under AEWA. Üllar sees the Agreement remaining valid for decades to come as the AEWA community continues to rally around ever changing challenges and issues linked to migratory waterbirds – such as the sustainable use of our shared waterbird resources.

Üllar currently also serves as the Chair of the AEWA Lesser White-fronted Goose International Working Group. He sees the 2015 record-breaking breeding year of the Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Goose population - which passes through Estonia on migration – as a step towards success and an example of tangible results arising from international conservation measures implemented under AEWA.

Üllar cites the Shoebill as his favourite African species, saying that if you once see this bird, you will never forget it. It is a great flagship species to use for nature conservation education as well as for raising awareness on the plight of migratory waterbirds in general. His favourite European species is the Lesser White-fronted Goose, which reminds him of his field work in Finnmark, in Northern Norway.