Europe watches birds this weekend
More than 30 European countries participate in Birdwatch this year. In Estonia the event is co-ordinated by the Estonian Ornithological Society, Birdlife’s official partner.
The main aim of Birdwatch is to invite people to watch birds in nature, and to introduce them to the world of their winged neighbours. The best time for this is autumn, as millions of birds are on their way from their nesting areas to the winter quarters. In Estonia the passing of migrating birds is in full swing, and a birdwatching trip in the weekend is sure to bring interesting experiences.
Taking part in Birdwatch is wonderfully simple. It isn’t at all necessary to know all our birds – the important thing is to note those species that you really recognise. The winged neighbours can be observed wherever you like. If it is on a short walk in your garden, or a birdwatching trip lasting the whole weekend doesn’t matter.
On the basis of the noted species international as well as country lists will be compiled, even though the action has no strictly scientific aim.
Because there is a great interest in the results from Birdwatch, there will be an “express collection” of data too. For this, we ask all who can do so to send in their information already on Sunday, October 4, at 15.00 at the latest, by e-mail: tarvo.valker@gmail.com . With this we can pass on the information to the international co-ordinators, and results can be published already on Sunday evening in newspapers and journals.
Those who cannot participate in the express collection of data should send summaries of their observations before the end of October by e-mail to: riho.kinks@eoy.ee or by mail to: EOÜ, pk 227, 51002 Tartu.
All questionnaires and other necessary guide material for taking part in Birdwatch are on the Estonian Ornithological Society’s home page www.eoy.ee.
More information: phone 53 932 684 (Tarvo Valker, Estonian co-ordinator for Birdwatch 2009)
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