December 2017

Estonian text posted 09-12-2017

On December 8th the festive conclusion of the Eesti Loodus’s 2017 photo contest took place in the Dorpat Conference Centre in Tartu.

Photo Vikipeedia        

Estonian text posted 11.12.2017

European eel; Common eel    Euroopa angerjas or harilik angerjas        Anguilla Anguilla

The European Commission has proposed a ban on eel fishing in the Atlantic and the Baltic and changes in the internal domestic conservation arrangements of several countries.

It seems that the proposal comes too late although imported eels are still being sold in well stocked supermarkets.

Photos Tiit Hunt and Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 10.12.2017

Eelpout

Viviparous eelpout; Blenny      Emakala or kiviluts            Zoarces viviparus

The viviparous eelpout is the only fish in Estonian waters to give birth to live fry, or viviparous.

Video compiled by Parabols, LK forum
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 10.12.2017

Otter’s fish hunt

Otter      Saarmas         Lutra lutra

This year the otter visited the spawning ground at intervals of a few days.

Video recorded by Fleur, LK forum

Photo: Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 09.12.2017

The first encounter with the otter was about 10 days back and was very brief

Otter     Saarmas        Lutra lutra

Partridge images Peep Käspre
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 07.12.2017

Partridges

Partridge     Nurmkana     Perdix perdix

The colder weather and the appearance of a snow cover brought partridges to fields near farms but even there they prefer keeping close to the forest or shrubs for security.

Photos Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 06.12.2017

Bullfinch

Bullfinch    Leevike     Pyrrhula pyrrhula

Most of the bullfinches that nested in Estonia have migrated southwards in the last few months and have now been replaced by migrants from the north and east who mostly remain during the winter – it is their activities that we notice now.

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

Estonian text posted 06.12.2017

Jackal; Golden jackal      Šaakal or harilik šaakal     Canis aureus

The jackals were missing from camera view for some days. Were the IR lamps actually ”visible” to the sensitive canines or did they sense them in some other way?

Photos Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 01.12.2017

Overnight location of jackdaws and crows

Jackdaw     Hakk           Corvus monedula

Jackdaws arrive to Estonia for winter from their northern and north-eastern breeding areas and in places can create an atmosphere of the film ”Birds” by Alfred Joseph Hitchcock …

Photos Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 02.12.2017

Pine marten

Pine marten     Metsnugis       Martes martes

Pine martens inhabit quite different types of woods with dense undergrowth, also areas with shrubs (such as hazels or junipers).

Photo Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 02.12.2017

Boar

Wild boar      Metssiga        Sus scrofa

The life of wild boars without swine fever continues only in Hiiumaa and some smaller islands as for instance Naissaare. Some boars move on the mainland too, but if they have recovered from the ASF nobody can say or prove as yet.

Video recorded by Parabols, LK forum
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 03.12.2017

Pretty view: female lays the roe in the spawning nest; milt cloud of the male in the start of the video and the smaller attentive satellites pressing towards the nest

Many thanks to all who took part in the spawning camera venture.

The spawning period of the river trout has come to an end. Although the water level has been high in all Estonian water bodies this year, several tens of female river trout spawned in camera view and slightly upstream of it. Some fishes became familiar ”by face” to constant watchers.

Image from webcam

…ninespine stickleback for prey

Kingfisher          Jäälind         Alcedo atthis

 

The kingfisher is a well known and beloved bird because of its plumage; thanks to the bright colours even called the jewel of the North.

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

Estonian text posted 29.11.2017

Jackal; Golden jackal    Šaakal or harilik šaakal     Canis aureus

A new animal in Estonian nature but where they are permanent residents their collective life mode and smartness is acknowledged despite the significant damage that they cause in the environment.