March 2018

Estonian Ornithological Society announces
Photo Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 25.03.2018

Redpolls

On Sunday the city birdwatching organised by the Estonian Ornithological Society each spring took place. 115 persons in 24 different Estonian cities took part.

While the number of participating cities and watchers was similar to the previous years, the number of encountered species was clearly lower than in the last couple of years. In the cities 99 bird species were noted which is 16 species less than in early spring last year. The number of noted species stayed more modest this year mainly due to the comparatively cold March and the belated arrival of migratory birds caused by this. Still in several cities cranes, different geese and sheldrakes were seen and a numerous migration of skylarks was also noted.

Video recorded by  Venegor, LK forum
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 25.03.2018

White-tailed eagle    Merikotkas       Haliaeëtus albicilla

For the first time since the start of the egg-laying male  Sulev brought a prey to the nest  for his partner. Not a fish but a migratory bird.

At sea there are areas with open water but fish seldom gather in such places. Rather they still keep in the safe shelter of the ice cover.

News from  Aivar Leito

Photo Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 23.03.2018

Crane pair calling

Crane         Sookurg        Grus grus

I have the pleasure to tell you that our famous transmitter-wearing crane Ahja 5 whose transmitter has been absent on-line for some time has again waken up, and we have received the data recorded meanwhile.

Visitors  introduced by  Linnuvaatleja, www.linnuvaatleja.ee
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 21-03-2018

The northern winter is a severe scourge not only for birds but for mammals too. Some bats fly to winter quarters in warmer areas in Europe, others stay to hibernate in their native country. Bears, badgers, raccoon dogs, dormice, birch mice and hedgehogs also hibernate. Many quadrupeds however are left to face the cold and famine and in the search for shelter and food they do not even shun the dangerous closeness of humans. Smaller mammals – for instance some rodents – also visit the birdfeeders.

Estonian Ornithological Society announces
Photo Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Estonian test posted 21.03.2018

Lark winter. Otepää

This Sunday,  March 25th, the Estonian Ornithological Society arranges a city birdwatching day aimed to draw attention to the abundance of birds in cities and the beginning of the arrival of migrating birds. Last year 24 Estonian cities participated in the birdwatching day and altogether 111 different bird species were noted. 

The starting signal for the city birdwatching day is on March 25th, in early morning at 5.00. But the early start should not discourage you because all observations of birds made until 13.00 will be taken into account. So there should be enough time for a birdwatching trip for late risers too.

Screencap by  Laranjeiras, LK forum
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 21.03.2018 

White-tailed eagle     Merikotkas      Haliaeëtus albicilla

We were expecting an egg in the nest tonight – and it did arrive.

So the first egg was in the nest on Sunday evening, March 18th; today after five o’clock the second egg, on March 21st. If everything proceeds nicely we may expect the laying of a third egg on Saturday afternoon.

Video recorded by  Urmas Lett, www.eenet.ee

Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 19.03.2018

White-tailed eagle      Merikotkas          Haliaeëtus albicilla

The female carrying out this year’s important event and the male encouraging her…

Today the eagle pair have taken turns to warm the egg in the nest.  In early evening a snowfall started but we have seen the birds incubating in a heap of snow in earlier years too.

Which bird is in the nest? By her dark eyes we recognize the female (really simple to distinguish them this year).

Text Tiit Hunt, www.rmk.ee

Translation Liis
 

Estonian text posted 14.03.2018

The red deer bulls, or stags,  shed their antlers in large amounts currently; a first solitary antler this year was found near the camera on February 20th.

Imprints of sleeping of many deer in the adjacent copse suggest that the 20-22 headed bull herd has not been very  mobile during the winter and mostly stayed near the feeding ground.
While during the previous winters-springs antlers were only sporadically shed on the ground  then now during the shedding period that has lasted two-three weeks exceptionally many have been shed here – up to now already antlers from at least six deer.

Screencap from nest camera Laranjeiras, LK forum

Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 18.03.2018

The egg is difficult to see but it is in the nest

White-tailedeagle      Merikotkas       Haliaeëtus albicilla

Late-winter frosty and clear weather, in addition a strong westerly wind – in the eagle nest about 6 degrees of frost might be felt. The female cannot keep the egg without cover for long. The night will not be frosty but for tomorrow sleet is foretold!

Text Urmas Sellis (EOÜ, Eagle Club)

Images from LK forum  members

Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 18.03.2018

Who then live in this nest? The answer might be – white-tailed eagles. But looking more precisely into the matter the nest owners are a white-tailed eagle pair. The one with the darker plumage and dark eyes is the female whom we met immediately after installing the camera (February 5th). According to the classical identification it might be said that the female is quite young (considering the eyes and the general colouring of the plumage). But the tail colouring points to a mature age. It is however not impossible that this bird has some kind of pigmentation deviation and the preponderance of dark colouring does not indicate youth? The female was suspicious towards the camera to start with and preferred rather to fly away from the foreign eye.