Photo Arne Ader

Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 21.05.2018

Crane gathering

Crane        Sookurg      Grus grus

Veljo counted altogether 150 cranes near Leevaku (in the Räpina area) and asked this question:

Is it common that they are so many together now? How should this be explained?

Aivar Leito explains:

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.