looduskalender.ee

 

This year Kotkaklubi again installed cameras at two Lesser Spotted Eagle Nests. Camera 1 showed the last year newly built nest of Eha and Koit. Camera 2 was installed at the former Black Stork nest, now the nest of Tuuli and Remo. As a "poor vole year" was announced, the big question was, if the birds would start nesting at all.

 

Shortly after the activation of camera 1 Eha was seen, getting the nest in order together with Koit. As we learned in the course of the next few days, the female seen in front of the camera was not the original Eha anymore. The name "Eha" remained for the bird. On May 5 Eha laid a single egg, from which on June 13 a chick hatched, which we forum people named "Kalev". There was only one egg and we could watch a caring Eha hardly leaving her Kalev out of her sight. Fortunately our concerns about the bad vole year were unfounded. Besides voles, there were, due to the wetter conditions, more frogs, but also birds, moles and several unidentifiable preys appeared at the nest. On July 20 Kalev received rings and around August 12 Kalev started to explore his surroundings. On August 12 we saw him last on the nest. Kalev's time in the nest can be read again here.

 

 

 

 

At camera 2 Tuuli arrived shortly afterwards and started nest repair immediately as well. On April 15 the nest was visited by a Black Stork. Remo, Tuuli's partner from last year, kept us waiting, so we saw Tuuli for a few days with a new partner whom we called, provisionally, "Mr Blond" for his bright plumage. Not a moment too soon Remo made his appearance and took over business at the nest. On April 29 Tuuli laid an egg, which remained, as in the other nest, the only one. In the night of June 8 to 9 a chick hatched which we called "Stephi". Regrettably for our Stephi a problematic life was bestowed from the beginning. After much rain we could hear alarming breathing noises. Veterinarian Dr. Madis Leivits, consulted by Urmas, saw no reason to intervene, also because the cameras are intended to show the natural course of nesting for study. Once warmer weather set in, the breathing noises improved again. On July 9 Stephi got her rings. On July 25 Stephi was for the first time attacked by a goshawk in front of the running camera. The goshawk attacked several times, but Stephi could fend him of and stay on the nest. We hoped now the worst was behind as Stephi was growing every day and started trying out her wings. Unfortunately, the goshawk pulled Stephi from the nest and killed her in a new attack on August 6. Joosep, alerted by forum members, c retrieved only her remains and took them to Dr. Leivits for autopsy. Tuuli and Remo said good-bye to nest and camera viewers on August 21, we all hope we will see a successful nest time again next year. Stephi's short life can be followed here.

 

 

We were particularly pleased that this year the nest of Metra and Macho in the nature reserve Teiči was successful. Together with viewers of the "Deutsche Wildtierstiftung" we could observe Metra laying eggs on May 1 and 5. The first chick hatched on June 10 and was named "Miks" by the observers in the Latvian forum. The second chick hatched on June 13, but fell victim to the congenital behaviour called "cainism". Miks grew into a beautiful young eagle who was ringed on July 21 by Dr. Bergmanis personally. Miks had to fend off repeated goshawk attacks on July 31. From August 12 on Miks made outings, but unlike the Estonian young eagles, returned to the nest, slept there in the beginning and was fed by both parents there. Miks story can be followed in the forum.

 

Video made by Grieta from LK forum

 

 

The Forum members wish a long and healthy life to Kalev and Miks and will always remember Stephi!