Photo Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Water avens

Water avens     Ojamõõl         Geum rivale

There may be a plant with a pretty bell-like flowe In spring in humid meadows, around springs or in forests, at fields, in the outskirts of gardens or even in the shadow of the porch – the water avens. 

The stalk covered with downy soft hairs, the little bent head and the very small leaves make a delicate impression. It is a favourite of bumblebees, with the folk name of ”honeyflower” locally.

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

Osprey family doings

Osprey   Kalakotkas      Pandion haliaetus

The long incubation period is coming to an end for osprey pair Irma and Ivo: the eggs were laid on May 1, 4 and 7.

This Wednesday the first osprey chick was hatched and in the future we will surely have more to write about them.

Text Margus Ots, Great Tit Year coordinator
Image from webcam captured by Jo, LK forum
Translation Liis

Great tit         Rasvatihane       Parus major

In nestbox no 1 with a webcam the chicks left on Friday last week or 4 days ago (Estonian original published 07.06.2016). On checking the nestboxes today it turned out that the great tit was building a new nest and that there were already 2 eggs in it! So she laid the first egg already yesterday, only 3 days after the departure of the clutch.

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

In the morning the female arrives to entice the chicks out of the nest with food; the leaving is surveyed by the female’s observant eyes. The ”sleepier” chicks are made to take off  into flight from the nest trunk. Morning is a good time for leaving.

An attentive viewer will manage to distinguish the young birds from the adults, but the difference in size is small.