Matsalu Nature Reserve is the first and so far the only wetland of international importance in Estonia. This year, 125 years will have passed since the Matsalu bird paradise was first recognized by a taxidermist of the Zoology Museum of Tartu University, Valerian Russow. The shallow Matsalu Bay, small marine islands, extensive reed-beds, flood-plain meadows, coastal meadows and coastal pastures are favourite sites for lots of waterfowl, both as their nesting grounds and as roosting places during the migration. One of the stamps introducing the Matsalu Nature Reserve depicts the greylag goose (Anser anser), another the barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis). The gerylag goose is a typical breeding bird in the Matsalu reed-bed and, in the past few years, also on the marine islands. About 300 pairs of greylag geese nest in Matsalu every year. Within the migration season, more than 1000 greylag geese stop in Matsalu. The barnacle goose is the most significant migriting bird in the Matsalu wetland. Every year nearly 20 000 barnacle geese stop here during their spring migration, with the flocks consisting of up to 6000 individuals. Since 1981, the barnacle nests also on the islands of the Matsalu Nature reserve. The number of nesting barnacle geese has increased from year to year, reaching about 20 pairs at present.

The white-tailed eagle (Haliaeëtus albicilla) is a species from the Estonian Red Data Book. Its population in Estonia has declined nearly threefold since the turn of the century when the number of its nesting couples in the country was about 30. The white-tailed eagle nests on the islands and mainland of West-Estonia up to 50 km from the sea. Unpolluted water and clean food are essential for its survival. Preservation of the balance and individuality of the natural environment and safeguarding the cleanness of the Estonian coastline, islands and interior waters is on the most important tasks facing the Republic of Estonia. The 0,25 kroon surcharge will be used via the national Keep the Estonian Sea Clean association to improve the condition and environment of Estonian small harbours.