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!