Latvian Fund for Nature

Introduction Urmas Sellis,
Eagle Club ( Kotkaklubi )
Translation Liis

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The breeding territory of eagle owls in Kurzeme (Courland) in Latvia is known since 1998. For several years nesting on the ground failed, and so a nest platform was built in a spruce at a height of 10 m in 2013. Since then the breeding of the eagle owl pair has been successful.

Estonian Ornithological Society  announces

Photo Arne Ader

Treecreeper

On the last Sunday of March, March 26th, the traditional intercity birdwatching contest will take place.

The kick-off for the birdwatching will be already at 5 o’clock in the morning. Nobody should however be discouraged by the early hour because all observations made in the cities up to 1 p m will be taken in account.

The event has expanded steadily. Its aim is to make us aware of the richness of birds in cities and the arrival of migrating birds that has started. Last year observation results were received from 24 Estonian cities where 118 bird species were observed.

Videos recorded by Olle Koert, www.tt.ee

Starling         Kuldnokk        Sturnus vulgaris

Prologue

The great spotted woodpecker that has occupied the nest box since January has not come in the camera’s field of view the last two nights – after all, the “drumming period” has started and maybe even a mate has been found?

Early in the morning, at 6.30, the first starling visited the nestbox. There is enough daylight and such a “mansion” must be looked after.

Image from webcam captured by Shanta, LK forum

Early morning, at 4.52 o’clock

Tawny owl     Kodukakk        Strix aluco

We were hoping to see the fourth egg in the nest trunk last night, after sunset when Klaara goes out after seven o’clock to ”stretch her legs”. The flight outside did last only a very short time, so we could hope that something more was going on.

The eggs were laid on March 15, 18, 21, 24.

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

Tawny owl      Kodukakk      Strix aluco

Klaara  laid the third egg in the nest hollow after midnight.

She does not leave the nest immediately after laying an egg. With feeding everything seems to be in order for her. On the bottom of the nest trunk we see the white eggs surrounded by owl pellets – they contain mouse hairs, bones, teeth, all that the bird cannot digest. The pellets are ejected from the digestive tract by vomiting.