looduskalender.ee

 

Siskin on alder.

 

That up to 70% of our goldcrests can die during a difficult winter is certainly startling but yet understandable – the goldcrest is so small and because of that its body surface and volume ratio is particularly sensitive to sudden temperature fluctuations. But how rape growing affects the number of greenfinches probably surprises many of us. Bird researcher Jaanus Elts’ cover story in the new issue of “Loodusesõber”  introduces a common enterprise of bird friends and researchers – the winter bird count – to us.

 

These admirable counts have in 25 years (birthday year!) collected plenty of data. For instance we now know which species have been successful during the last quarter of the century, which have not. And also whose feeding table has changed.

 

We also get to know which species are quite difficult to count, as the author also writes about the everyday of counts. Bird friends have to walk paths made up of different landscapes and habitats. The author writes that at the best of times up to 82 paths were in use and 180 data forms were received, but in recent years so many forms have not been submitted.

 

In winter quite many bird surveys of all kinds still take place. The journal also writes about the garden bird watch that took place in January and which is not really a traditional count but an event where every Estonian might be involved. Until now participants have been rather few, but since every event fosters nature interest this enterprise suitable for families should be announced as wisely as possible, to sow the seeds for the next generation, also in more complicated bird surveys.

 

Happy birdwatching!