February 2017

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

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

Only recently the ability of great tits to memorise the location of food hoards of other birds by observing their behaviour was mentioned among the Bird of the Year science news (see note  here). It is known that great tits are better at solving tasks requiring spatial memory than blue tits or marsh tits.

Text and photos Sten

Squirrel in snowfall at the end of January

I live in Tallinn, in a block of flats in Mustamäe. To my great joy squirrels have started to visit us. Sometimes there are even several of them. We have put some nuts or acorns on the windowsill. It is interesting to observe them from the other side of the window.  They don’t notice me and I get the opportunity to photograph them at a very close distance.

Info from the Estonian Ornithological Society

Photo Uku Paal

Great tits, top male, below female / Photo: Uku Paal

In the Winter Garden Bird Watch that took place for the 8th time on the weekend of January 21 – January 22 more than 43 000 birds of at least 60 species were noted. On Monday morning 1900 bird enthusiasts had reported their observations. They had observed garden birds in 1300 places in Estonia.

Results can be sent in until February 6th.

The most numerous species was once again the great tit which made up a third of the total number of observed birds. As in previous years house and tree sparrow and greenfinch and hooded crow were also among the top five. 

Video recorded by Urmas Lett, www.eenet.ee

 

White-tailed eagle     Merikotkas        Haliaeëtus albicilla

Eagle changed seal camera view – Posted in Estonian 26.01.2017

You may very well know who is guilty of mischief, but you still have to repair it yourself.

During the whole autumny winter period one storm has chased another. Water and air hold a couple of plus degrees. Soon the whelping period of gray seals begins. We will see if the camera angle can be adjusted until then?

Text Kristel Vilbaste
Photos Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Spring in snow

As usual I will make a summary of this year’s weather:

The beginning of the year was enchantingly beautiful and rich in snow. Together with friends I made wonderful trips to the Varangu, Tiirike and Kambja springs. And although there was plenty of water this  year the springs had a poor year, in many springs with poor runoff the water went bad. I only managed to visit half of the 365 springs that I had hoped for, but instead I discovered that there are wonderful springs everywhere in Estonia.