July 2016

Text and photos  Aare Lindt, www.loodusmuuseum.ee
Translation Liis

Black V moth

B.ack V moth      Nurklainelane        Arctornis l-nigrum

The black V moth was caught for the first time in Estonia in 1999, in Valga County, close to the Mustjõe river mouth.

Today, in about a decade it has become locally common in South Estonia and curently extends its distribution towards north. The moth flies in broadleaf forests in July and August.

Author bird ecology research scientist  Marko Mägi
Translation Liis

The chicks of cavity nest birds, among them the chicks of tits, are  relatively well protected from predators but in their nests a variety of parasites may be found. The nest parasites, whose activities are favoured by the temperature and air humidity of the cavity, may influence the life of adults as well as of the growing chicks significantly by sucking blood or feeding on feathers. (Alt & Mägi 2016: Ektoparasiidid ja nende mõju suluspesitsejatele lindudele - Ectoparasites and their effect on closed nest birds).

Info from  Margus Ots, www.eoy.ee

Video recorded by  Fleur, LK forum

Translation Liis

This morning the second clutch of chicks too left the nest with webcam

Great tit     Rasvatihane       Parus major

In this nest trunk the great tit started her second egg-laying on June 6th. The nest had 8 eggs and the chicks were hatched on June 24th – 25th. One egg remained unhatched and 7 chicks left the nest on Wednesday, July 13th, at an age of19 days.

Video recorded by  Fleur, LK forum
Translation Liis

Great tit     Rasvatihane        Parus major

Info for great tit friends:

Our great tit chicks were hatched on June 24th-25th, and they may be expected to leave the nest at 18-19 days, similar to the first clutch of chicks,. In the video we see them touching up their ”flight dress”.

So early on Wednesday morning at about 6 o’clock the departure may start unless there is heavy rain or some similar problem.

Text and photos  Aare Lindt, www.loodusmuuseum.ee
Translation Liis

Scarlet tiger moth

Scarlet tiger molth    Harilik piksepeni      Callimorpha dominula

The scarlet tiger moth is very rarely seen in North Estonia and it is not particularly common southwards either. The moth flies in broadleaf forests and thickets with a variety of species.

Photos  Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Lime tree flowering

Small-leaved lime     Harilik pärn       Tilia cordata

Among Estonian trees the small-leaved lime is the last to flower this summer.

Some ten foreign species are used in urban landscaping in addition to the naturally occurring small-leaved lime; they all have round or broadly ovate (egg-shaped) leaves, with a roughly cordate (heart) shape and sawtooth margins.

Image from webcam captured by  Liz, LK forum
Translation Liis

The storklets grow incredibly fast

Black stork    Must-toonekurg     Ciconia nigra

On Friday Ain managed to get the camera in working order.

In South Estonia there are still many households without electricity and communications after the storm on Sunday. The largest damage to forests occurred in 13 parishes: Karula, Taheva, Otepää in Valga County; Antsla, Urvaste, Mõniste, Varstu, Võru and Sõmerpalu in Võru County; Kambja and Haaslava in Tartu County, and Kanepi and Valgjärve parishes in Põlva County.