Linnuvaatleja science news,  www.linnuvaatleja.ee

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Estonian text posted 27.06.2018

Sexually oriented behaviour between individuals of the same sex – climbing on back, copulating, seducing partner – has been observed in several bird species and mostly among females. The partners may for instance groom each others plumage, build or share a nest and even incubate eggs. Sexual acts between male birds are known from at least 93 bird species of which however only 18 cases (19%) have been identified in pairs in permanent relationship; most frequently male pairs are found among geese (Anseriformes) and suliform (Suliformes) birds. There are however only rare reports of common nesting attempts among male birds.

Screenshot from webcam  Sapheira, LK forum
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Estonian text posted 27.06.2018

Osprey           Kalakotkas      Pandion haliaetus

In the banner of Looduskalender’s opening page the osprey camera image shows as a ”grey” window. Click confidently, the camera works – the defect will be eliminated.

Screenshot from webcam and video Svenja, LK forum
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Estonian text posted 27.06.2018

Male Karl feeding the chicks

Black stork         Must-toonekurg         Ciconia nigra

There is less down left on the stork chicks thanks to their own  nibbling as well as that of the siblings, as a pastime. So they also get rid of  parasites in the nest and birds have plenty of them. The older ones and the a couple of days younger ones  can be distinguished by the length of their beaks.

Nest life lasts long for the stork chicks. In about three weeks they start flight exercises, then life gets interesting again.

Text and images from the ringing sent by  Aivar Leito
Screenshot from web camera  Fleur, LK forum
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Estonian text posted 22.06.2018

I have followed the seal camera at Innarahu on the Saaremaa western coast constantly besides the other Looduskalender web cameras.

At the moment I see on the screen grey geese, mallards, mew gulls, great black-backed gulls and herring gulls, arctic terns and oystercatchers and at sea the male eiders that begin their moulting.

Most of them besides the terns and oystercatchers are non-breeding ”lazers” that are in no hurry anywhere and with the foraging raids of white-tailed eagles on the islets the only worry.

Video recorded by  Ahto Täpsi
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Estonian text posted 20.06.2018

 

Bear; Brown bear        Karu or pruunkaru       Ursus arctos

 

Meeting a bear is a great occasion. No matter that it is a young animal that in the video pursues a strange smell by sniffing, then retreats, with dignity.

We should have to do with a two and a half years old male bear that is not yet quite an adult. It did not participate in the mating season this year