October 2017

Text Aivar Leito

Photos Ainar Unus
Translation Liis

Estonian text published 11.10.2017

Juvenile crane from this year  with transmitter 

On October 6 2017, from the morning until afternoon, an active crane migration towards south took place in western Estonia. Our young sat cranes from this summer also started on their way with this migration wave: Loode“ from the Mullutu crane community in eastern Saaremaa, crane „Liiva“ from the Muraja community in eastern Saaremaa and crane „Paslepa“ from Noarootsi. It is interesting that they all flew southwards straight across the sea.

Info from Estonian Ornithological Society

Photo Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Estonian text published 10.10.2017

Wigeons. Matsalu

Results of the EuroBirdwatch days: only 185 000 birds

On the international EuroBirdwatch 2017 days on September 30 and October 1, Estonian bird friends counted altogether 185 000 birds of 162 species. The same number of species was seen as in earlier years but the number of birds was smaller than usual. The wigeon turned out to be the most numerous bird for the second year in succession.

Aivar Leito about the migration of cranes
Photo Arne Ader
Translation Liis 

Estonian text published 09.10.2017

Tracking crane provided with transmitter with aerial. Aivar Leito

My Friday noon forecast about the arriving migration wave of cranes has been confirmed. Our sat cranes from this summer, „Loode“, „Liiva“ and „Paslepa“ that were hatched at Sõrve in Saaremaa, Liiva in Muhu and Paslepa in Läänemaa respectively started their migration in the morning of October 6, and „Mustakurmu“ from Põlvamaa in the morning of October 7.

Image captured by Hagnat, LK forum

Translation Liis

Estonian text published 05.10.2017

Heading for the cleared fields for food

Crane         Sookurg       Grus grus

Summary: Aivar Leito

Photo Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Estonian text  published 02.10.2017

Tracking crane provided with transmitter by aerial Aivar Leito

Dear Crane Friends!

It is a pleasure to tell you that the cranes equipped with satellite transmitters in Estonia (the sat cranes, 10 altogether) are alive and well and have started their autumn migration flights too.

Video recorded by Ahto Täpsi

Photos Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Estonian text published 01.10.2017

The Ural owl was brought down by a Northern goshawk that  flew away along the forest clearing

Ural owl                   Händkakk      Strix uralensis

Northern goshawk   Kanakull       Accipiter gentilis

Text,images and video: Tiit Hunt, www.rmk.ee
Translation: Liis

Estonian text published 30.09.201

On Thursday we once more moved the webcam in the Sassi  Peninsula and in the evening we could see how at about twenty minutes past seven thousands of cranes flew past the camera at sea during only  ten minutes. It is likely to happen today as well because the migration of cranes has not finished yet, rather it is the peak period which however may end rapidly with favourable migration weather.

Photos Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Estonian text published 28.09.2017

Hazelnut grove,  Otepää uplands

Hazel      Harilik sarapuu        Corylus avellana

Hazelnuts can be picked now and there are some. Really abundant nut years come at three to five year intervals.