Estonian Ornithological Society invites you to participate

Estonian text posted 23.01.2019

On the last weekend of January, January 25th – 27th, all who are  interested can join the winter garden bird survey.

At the weekend you have to find an hour, go to your home garden or a park and note all the bird species that you meet there. Please enter the observations on the corresponding form. Read how to take part in the bird count.

The data collected in the winter bird survey will be used to monitor changes in the number of winter birds which, if necessary,  allows us to take action to improve the welfare of the birds  Moreover it is a nice way to learn to know the winter garden birds.

Photos  Ahto Täpsi
English translation Liis

Estonian text posted 18.01.2019

The winter dens of our bears may look very different

Brown bear       Pruunkaru or  karu        Ursus arctos

In the Estonian forests brown bears started to give birth already before Christmas and it lasts until the end of the month. Of our bear population of nearly seven hundred individuals this year sixty bear mothers should give birth to cubs or have already done so.

Screencap from webcam IceAge, LK forum
English translation Liis

Estonian text posted 16.01.2019

Great tits, greenfinches, tree sparrows…

Those who feed birds know that the first arrivals are the great tits, already in the morning dusk – the winter bird webcam watchers notice it too.

The earliest is of course some older great tit that knows the neighbourhood thoroughly and has spent the night nearby. Together with the blue tits they cooperate peacefully and nicely in  order  – the older, larger birds are given priority. Marsh tits are the last arrivals among the tits. The first three-quarters of the hour belongs to the tits.

Screencap from webcam by  IceAge LK forum
English translation Liis

Estonian text posted 10.01.2019

On the female fish in the foreground we can see marks of the spawning, a furrow on the body above the anal fin

River trout; Brown trout  Jõeforell or hõrnas  Salmo trutta morpha fario