March 2017

Estonian Ornithological Society  announces

Photo Arne Ader

Treecreeper

On the last Sunday of March, March 26th, the traditional intercity birdwatching contest will take place.

The kick-off for the birdwatching will be already at 5 o’clock in the morning. Nobody should however be discouraged by the early hour because all observations made in the cities up to 1 p m will be taken in account.

The event has expanded steadily. Its aim is to make us aware of the richness of birds in cities and the arrival of migrating birds that has started. Last year observation results were received from 24 Estonian cities where 118 bird species were observed.

Videos recorded by Olle Koert, www.tt.ee

 

 

Starling         Kuldnokk        Sturnus vulgaris

 

Prologue

The great spotted woodpecker that has occupied the nest box since January has not come in the camera’s field of view the last two nights – after all, the “drumming period” has started and maybe even a mate has been found?

Early in the morning, at 6.30, the first starling visited the nestbox. There is enough daylight and such a “mansion” must be looked after.

The conflict started at about 7 o’clock, when a second male starling came to inspect the nestbox (the first video shows the start of the conflict).

Image from webcam captured by Shanta, LK forum

Early morning, at 4.52 o’clock

 

Tawny owl     Kodukakk        Strix aluco

 

We were hoping to see the fourth egg in the nest trunk last night, after sunset when Klaara goes out after seven o’clock to ”stretch her legs”. The flight outside did last only a very short time, so we could hope that something more was going on.

The eggs were laid on March 15, 18, 21, 24.

Video recorded by Urmas Lett, www.eenet.ee
Translation Liis

 

 

Tawny owl      Kodukakk      Strix aluco

 

Klaara  laid the third egg in the nest hollow after midnight.

She does not leave the nest immediately after laying an egg. With feeding everything seems to be in order for her. On the bottom of the nest trunk we see the white eggs surrounded by owl pellets – they contain mouse hairs, bones, teeth, all that the bird cannot digest. The pellets are ejected from the digestive tract by vomiting.

Review written by Urmas Sellis, Estonian Ornithological Society, www.eoy.ee
Translation Liis

 

Direct link to camera: LINK

There has been little movement in the white-tailed eagle nest that last year gathered a record number of clicks. Although sounds of eagles and others are heard from there. During the breeding period of 2016 the nest life of white-tailed eagles Anna and Uku was watched more than 10 million times. The main characters of this real life broadcast try to keep a more modest image this year. They have not even passed by in camera view. Whether they have flown past at a greater distance some time we don’t know.

Text Urmas Sellis, Estonian Ornithological Society
Translation Liis
Transmission courtesy of Kernel and EENet
Site supported by KIK

The buzzard webcam was installed for the first time in 2015, the year of the buzzard. This year we can watch the same nest for the third year in a row. The breeding results will be clear in mid-June at the latest. Will the same Mari and Mihkel come to breed? We are no longer able to watch the second buzzard nest from 2015 (Katrin and Kalju) since there is a felling area now.

Webcam screencap by  Fleur, LK forum
Translation Liis

 

Tawny owl     Kodukakk        Strix aluco

 

Klaara laid the first egg on March 15. In early morning this egg was not yet in the nest. She thus laid the second egg in daytime, let us note on March 18,

About half an hour after sunset Klaara prepares for a ”leg stretch”. To start with she calls on Klaus, if the male answers (we will not necessarily hear it) she flies out to socialize. The last evenings the egg was on its own in the nest for three hours.

Videos recorded by  Olle Koert, www.tt.ee
Translation Liis

The migrant birds arrive, and to the nestbox of the tit the third tenant of this year has already appeared – the starling.

 

 

Photod Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Starling

 

Starling        Kuldnokk     Sturnus vulgaris

 

The first wave of arrivals is mostly made up of male birds that have already nested here earlier. The day migrants are easily noticeable. It is known that starlings are extremely true to their nesting sites. The arrivals look up their familiar nestboxes from the previous year and as a rule they also stay there to spend the night. They sing to show the presence of the owner but otherwise they still lead a “bachelor’s life“.

We can expect the females within a couple of weeks; their arrival depends on winds  and weather conditions favourable to migrants.