May 2018

Screenshot Anne7, LK forum
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 20.05.2018

Three stork chicks and one egg but without cracks in the shell (on the visible side)

Black stork      Must-toonekurg       Ciconia nigra

Yesterday there were holes in two of the eggs. The hatching chick must get used to breathing and for big birds that takes time.

This morning we had three healthy stork chicks in the nest.

Webshot Birdfriend, LK forum

Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 18-05.2018

Starling chicks resting in daytime

Starling        Kuldnokk        Sturnus vulgaris

The last two summery nights the starling chicks have spent on their own.

Video recorded by  Liz, LK forum
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 18.05.2018

Male Karl in the nest

Black stork      Must-toonekurg       Ciconia nigra

Female Kati laid the eggs in the nest on April 16, 18, 20 and 22.

Helped by the hot weather in the last weeks incubation took a little more than a month. During the long incubation period of the black storks male Karl has supported Kati.

The friendly behaviour of the stork family has been a pleasure to watch for viewers.

...but it will soon get even more interesting.

Screenshot  Seira, LK forum
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 16.05.2018

Starling        Kuldnokk        Sturnus vulgaris

As of today the starling chicks that hatched two days later also became one week old.

The development of the six chicks in a week looks remarkable but the pressure on the diligent  adults grows – ever more food is needed.

When can we then expect the fledging of the chicks? Realistically at one week old but with luck it might be a few days earlier …

Let us keep an eye on events.

Webshot Pähkinahiiri, LK forum
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 15.05.2018

Family photo, for comparison see the image from a week ago below the text

White-tailed eagle       Merikotkas           Haliaeëtus albicilla  

We see the development of the eaglet in growth, plumage and behaviour.

The hot weather, in daytime more than 25 degrees, wearies everybody including large birds. The adults sit as sunshades in front of the chick – the little organism is not protected against a heatstroke.

In the second half of the week rain is promised, possibly together with thunder. The eagle nest needs ”watering” too.

Info from EOÜ 
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 14.05.2018

Photo Arne Ader

Avocet

On Saturday May 12th the bird tower birdwatching arranged by the Estonian Ornithological Society took place. From the event results were received from 13 observation towers where 148 species altogether were seen. The towers were visited by more than 70 visitors.

The bird tower watching day this time was sunny and warm everywhere. It was pleasant for the watchers and visitors to the towers, but in several places a smaller singing activity of birds was noted because of the warm weather. In many watching sites migration of Branta nad Anser geese was noted. They are currently continuing their migration to their Arctic nesting areas in north-western Russia and Scandinavia. 

Webshot  Seira, LK forum
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 10.05.2018

Early morning feeding

Starling    Kuldnokk        Sturnus vulgaris     

Yesterday evening the busy female bird allowed us glimpses of what seemed like a fifth hatched starling chick...

By early morning all six starling chicks were in the nest, the egg shells were tidied out of the nest box and are lying about somewhere on the ground nearby – the starlings do not hide the hatching of their chicks.

Video recorded by Aita, LK forum
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 11.05.2018

Badger      Mäger     Meles meles

When the adult has judged the surroundings to be safe the badger cub is allowed to leave the sett. We see it just for a moment – the new large and day-lit world does not seem tempting.

Video recorded by Klaabar, LK forum

Webshot UteL, LK forum

Translation Liis

Estonian text  posted 10.05.2018

Male Karl arrived with home decoration materials

Black stork         Must-toonekurg          Ciconia nigra

Female Kati has laid four eggs in the nest – on April 16, 18, 20 and 22. The adults have raised the nest border; they also add to the nest materials as seen in the image.

Webshot  Pirjo, LK forum
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 08.05.2018

"Look, Mum, how big I am“

White-tailed eagle      Merikotkas        Haliaeëtus albicilla  

The weeks in spring pass by as if flying – so much around is worth noting.