Videos recorded by Aita, LK forum
Translation Liis

Otter    Harilik saarmas    Lutra lutra

The otter belongs to the indigenous Estonian species and is a mammal protected by law. We have to do with an extremely mobile animal whom scientists have difficulties in monitoring.

With a good hearing and sense of smell it distinguishes moving objects in water as well as on land easily. In contrast an unmoving observer at the river bank may not be noticed.

Text and video record Tiit Hunt, www.rmk.ee
Translation Liis

The long-lasting low level of sea water and the small amount of water in rivers has stretched out the spawning period of sea trout. The rise in water level from the recently thawed snow and the frequent rainfalls have made the sea trout to move more actively again on the way to the spawning sites .

In the video made a few days ago at the Vanaveski old dam on the Vasalemma river we see jumping sea trout. The obstacles that the sea trout must overcome  on their path don’t seem manageable to  all, at least not at the first try …

During the roughly one hour long observation all those who had flown up into the air tumbled back into the frothing water below the dam. Perhaps some clever individuals managed to get over the dam unnoticed, without rushing out of the water.

Science news from the Year of the Great Tit edited by Marko Mägi, marko.magi@ut.ee University of Tartu Bird Ecology department
Translation Liis

Tits as well as birds of prey gather at birdfeeders and this forces the tits to be constantly on watch. Distinguishing a dangerous bird of prey from a harmless species is vitally important.  While taking to flight  is crucial if a dangerous bird of prey approaches it is not necessary to waste energy in vain  if it is harmless.

From what do the tits recognize the birds of prey that are dangerous to them? The question might seem strange at first but finding an answer has been a real challenge to scientists and because of that until now relatively poorly studied. Evidently it works by way of the birds’ sight but what precisely are the details tonte in the raptor?