December 2017

End of year greeting from the Conservation Biology Working Group

Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 28.12.2017

 

The Conservation Biology Working Group at the University of Tartu commemorates the ending year with an  image series on a forest theme, where our people introduce different views of what a forest actually can be that have caused polemics this year.

As believers in diversity we hope that everyone will have a personal favourite in the series  and that different comprehensions of the essence of a forest can have their space in Estonian nature, society and official statistics.

In case the image series will not open from the link above it is  at: https://arme.ee/mets/

Veebikaamera pilt - Image from webcam  Fleur, LK forum

Rahulikku pühadeaega, mõistmist ja mõtteselgust!
Peaceful holidays, understanding, clarity of thinking!

Excerpts from the presentation by Peep Männil at Estonian Nature Conservation Society conference

Photos Sven Zacek, www.zacekfoto.ee

Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 22.12.2017

Wolf

Bear; Brown bear      Karu or pruunkaru             Ursus arctos

Wolf       Hunt, hallhunt or  susi        Canis lupus

Transmission courtesy of  Elisa and EENet

Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 21.12.2017

Already for the twelfth winter season we can observe through the webcam the birds visiting the feeder and their doings. The activities in the winter bird camera that is installed at Otepää are made avaialable to bird friends by Looduskalender, Loodusemees and Linnuvaatleja.

Photo Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Spruce forest

 

With Toomapäev, the day of St Thomas the Apostle, the shortening of days ends and  the calendar winter begins.

From December 21st to 24th the days are of almost equal length. The sun is at the southernmost point of its journey and in addition to all else we all feel the lack of snowlights.

The day’s length in these days is only a few minutes more than six hours. An hour of morning and evening dusk and so darkness in a day and night will be nearly sixteen hours..

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

Estonian text posted 20.12.2017

Photo Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 18.12.2017

Clubmoss

 

Stiff clubmoss; Bristly clubmoss       Kattekold       Lycopodium annotinum

 

 

 

Issued by  Eesti Post

 

Estonian text posted 16.12.2017

WOPA, the World Online Philatelic Agency, elected the lynx stamp designed by Indrek Ilves as the most beautiful stamp in the world in 2017. Congratulations!

 

Animal of the Year – 2018

Information to readers - the lynx is the coat of arms animal of the Tallinn Zoo and carries the title of the next Animal of the Year.

WOPA FB page: LINK

Video Ahto Täpsi

Photo Arne Ader

Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 15.12.2017 

Grouse cock nibbling at birch buds

Grouse; Black grouse     Teder       Tetrao tetrix

If you notice large splendid birds in winter on birches at forest verges then you have met grouses. If however  similar but a little larger birds are busy in pine stands then instead capercaillies.

Photos Arne Ader
Translation Liis

 

Estonian text posted 14.12.1207

Raven pair

 

Raven        Ronk or kaaren       Corvus corax

 

 

In the old days ravens were held to be birds of large forests. We have to do with smart and  extremely intelligent birds very willing to learn and by now managing nearly everywhere.

Video and presentation Tiit Hunt, www.rmk.ee
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 14.12.1217

 

You will see no deer at the feeding site at noon but recently two-legged creatures made a guest appearance.

When the deer site was ”clean” of deer we decided together with RMK hunting specialist Uno Vait to go on camera ourselves and talk about the animals.

We talked about how the deer once came to Saaremaa and where they can be seen today, how their hooves work and how it is with their antlers.

In addition to the deer talk all kinds of other creatures that have been encountered on the deer ground and what  feats they have performed there. also came up.

But have a look at the video yourself!

Photo Arne Ader

Estonian Weather Services: snow chart

Estonian text posted 13.12.2017 

After a snowfall

 

Pre-winter is a period with  changeable weather when the snow cover is temporary, short periods of frost alternate with thaw and a white carpet appears repeatedly.

Already tomorrow the view of Estonia may change because the weather services foretell storm winds to the evening and varying precipitation including icy rain.

Daylight is scarce, just over 6 hours and until the beginning of astronomical winter there are  not even ten days, or to December 21 at 16.28 .