928 birdwatchers in 524 gardens took part in the Garden Bird Summer Diary in 2019. Many thanks!

In the sixth season of the Garden Bird Summer Diary as a result of the combined efforts of diligent bird and nature watchers 27 218 observations were gathered adding to the 111 000 observations from earlier years.

The observations were grouped as follows:

• 15 493 first sightings of birds,
• 2105 breeding observation,
• 1390 observations of other vertebrates,
• 7766 phenological observations of plants and insects
• 464 observations of pollinators at 1412 plant visits  

What was memorable in the 2019 season?

This weekend, January 24-26, the Estonian Ornithological Society invites you to observe and note winter garden birds. Although we have no normal winter weather it is important to report the observation results even when no birds are encountered.

Everyone who is interested can take part in the winter garden bird observations in their own home garden, in a nearby park or elsewhere. To take part you need to watch birds during one hour, to record all bird species encountered, and for each species the largest number of individual birds seen at any one time. The observation results must be submitted by February 2 at the latest on the computer questionnaire form or sent by regular mail to the Estonian Ornithological Society.

Tawny owl     Kodukakk      Strix aluco

Information for bird fans: about an hour before midnight you can hear territory calls of the male owls. In quiet weather maybe earlier too. The birds can also be heard in early morning, about an hour or one and a half before sunrise .

Marsh fritillary, photo Le Loup Gris

Marsh fritillary       Teelehe-mosaiikliblikas       Euphydryas aurinia

Marsh helleborine

Marsh helleborine      Soo-neiuvaip       Epipactis palustris