Text and photos  Aare Lindt, www.loodusmuuseum.ee
Translation Liis

Sallow

Sallow     Vaarika-kollaöölane     Cirrhia icteritia

The sallow is present in the whole of Estonia and is common everywhere. The first moths hatch in mid-August and their flight lasts until the beginning of October. Meeting them is a sign to us that autumn is approaching.

Science news for the Year of teh Great Tit edited by UT Bird ecology researcher Marko Mägi,marko.magi@ut.ee
Photo Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Despite the fact that it is easier for birds acting together in a group to notice dangers and sound warning calls they too must keep eyes and ears open at foraging to become aware of an approaching threat. Such a mode of foraging is characteristic for many birds feeding in groups. But what happens when warning calls do not reach their aim? For instance in a noisy environment where the efficiency of warning calls is small or one’s mates do not even perceive the calls. Today humans are ever more accompanied by artificial sounds, particularly in cities where traffic noise is several times louder than the natural background of sound. Yet many birds prefer to breed, winter, forage in cities – is then the noise no problem for them?

Information from Omniva 
Translation Liis

The stamp in the series “Estonian  fauna“ was released on August 25^th. A birch mouse is shown on it.

The whole series of fifteen stamps is designed by Sándor Stern.

The birch mouse (Sicista betulina) is the size of a small mouse and a rodent belonging to the Dipodids or jumping mice family. Its characteristic features are the black streak on the back and the tail that is much longer than the body.

Birch mice are omnivores, eating fruits and seeds of plants but also insects and larva.

They hibernate from September until May. On waking up in spring they only weigh about 8 grams but until autumn they store plenty of fat reserves, and weigh nearly 15 grams.