February 2017

Photo Simmo Kikkas
Translation Liis

Portrait of young world citizen on Friday

Grey seal; Gray seal     Hallhüljes        Halichoerus grypus

Thanks to Simmo who went by kayak to count the seal pups the web camera was also adjusted and other necessary jobs got done – it is more uncomfortable for white-tailed eagles to sit on the camera now!

The Baltic-facing side of Saaremaa is free of ice and the pupping of grey seals is in its early stage. Thirteen females have given birth, all young are alive and healthy.

Photos Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Bog edge with haircap moss

 

Common haircap moss; Golden maidenhair     Harilik karusammal or käolina      Polytrichum commune

Estonian moss friends chose a moss of the year for the first time; of seven candidates it turned out to be the common hair cap moss. Seven species in Estonia belong to the Polytrichacea family: the best known of them and most widely spread is the species that was chosen as the moss of the year.

Editor of science news from the Year of the Great Tit  Marko Mägi, marko.magi@ut.ee, bird ecology researcher at University of Tartu
Translation Liis

That tits are the most numerous of bird feeder visitors is also confirmed by the results of the Winter Garden Bird Watch. The tits bustle briskly at the bird feeders in early light, leaving only when dusk falls, and it is almost impossible to make sure who came, who left, to where and whether a bird actually returns to the same bird feeder.

Info from Estonian Ornithological Society
Translation Liis

On February 9th Estonian Post in cooperation with the Estonian Ornithological Society published a stamp, an envelope and a postcard with the Bird of the Year. The stamp shows the turtle dove, the postcard the collared turtle dove and the envelope both the birds of the year. Moreover a special first day stamp was created.

Science news from the Year of the Great Tit edited by Marko Mägi, marko.magi@ut.ee bird ecology scientist at the University of Tartu
Translation Liis

Published in Estonian 17,01.2017

Scientific news from the Year of the Great Tit edited by Marko Mägi, marko.magi@ut.ee , bird ecology researcher at the University of Tartu
Translation Liis

Published in Estonian 29.12.2017

Ecologically species can be divided into specialists and generalists. While the specialissed species are adapted to specific environmental conditions and rapid changes may become difficult for them, then generalists can cope with a variety of conditions – both urban and rural, warm or cold, in forests or open spaces. Thus it is no surprise that that the generalists are often synanthropes, or associated with humans, i e species that have been able to adapt urban life and become numerous, due to their high adaptivity and small selectivity. One of the best known generalists is man himself who can cope in all regions (except the Arctic areas). Few animal species manage to match humans in this.

Text and photos Tiit Hunt, www.rmk.ee
Translation Liis

One of the characteristics in Estonia’s new visual identity is the concept of erratic boulders. Estonia has the greatest number of erratic boulders in the whole of Europe.

This might inspire nature fans to go on a trip to see some of the more sizeable giant boulders for themselves for a change. Bare trees and an almost non-existent snow cover favour such ventures in all ways. Even in a dense thicket all kinds of geological sights stand out much more clearly now. 

Text University of Tartu bird ecology researcher Marko Mägi and coordinator of the Year of Great Tit Margus Ots,

The great tit that has been staying overnight in the nest box has gathered many viewers via the webcam. Lately it has arrived in the nest box in the evenings between 16.00-17.00 and left by 8.00 at the latest in the mornings. Thus it sleeps more than 15 out of 24 hours during the dark period. How much energy does the tit use during the long winter nights and how much weight does it lose?

The camera image is transmitted by OÜ Teetormaja: www.tt.ee