looduskalender.ee

 

White squills, photo sent by Uuemõisa Kindergarten–Elementary school, 5th form

 

As of today the nature education programme project „Silma ilma – Eye on weather“ has gone on for three weeks. Our measurement results are not quite scientific but with data from nearly a thousand children it is still possible to describe the progress of spring quite precisely.

 

The project started with a late spring and melting snow. After the first week of the project (April 15-21) the air temperature at the seaside (Läänemaa and Saaremaa) was virtually as cool as in South Estonia. Now however the mainland is steadily becoming warm faster than the sea. Thus the measurements of last week (April 29 – May 5) already showed clearly that South Estonia had passed the seaside counties with respect to mean air temperature. The northern coast too was a couple of degrees cooler than Võrumaa. The children of the Paide Parish Kindergarten-Elementary School noted hail on last Monday..

Some interesting observations by the children from the week ending now are forwarded here.

 

The trees are starting come alive. Looking out of the school window there is much green to be seen. On examining it more closely we saw that the birch had "mouse ear" buds, a large bud had opened on the horse chestnut and the tiny leaves were wrinkled – as if still packaged. Lilac leaves are 3-4 centimetres long and in the centre of the leaves we discovered a purple-coloured, still closed flower cluster. The oaks remain in a lasting winter sleep and are uniformly brown. The most distant grass patch of the school yard is yellow from colt’s-foot. Most green colour is along the channel, with the largest leaves on willows, bird cherry and poplars. The children noticed that suddenly many people had come to spend time outdoors. Earlier only some few dog owners were walking with the nature friends of class 5B, now however the Anne canal surroundings are full of bustle. Gertu noted that in the nestbox in a birch near her home a starling pair is living who compete in singing and have a very beautiful golden plumage.

5b class,  Tartu Descartesi Lütseum

 

Hepaticas and wood anemones are flowering. Trees and shrubs have mouse ears. We have seen wagtails, swallows, white storks and geese. Among insects we have seen bees, bumblebees, dragonflies, wasps. The weather has turned warmer.

4th class, Tartu Kivilinna Gümnaasium

 

Maple sap stopped flowing, the wood anemones in the coppice started flowering, tulips have flower buds in the garden beds but are not yet flowering, we went fishing for roach but did not catch any yet, forest floors are blue with Hepaticas, lawns and road verges begin to turn green, the first narcissi started flowering, weather is warmer, fields are being cultivated, sowing of grain starts, lilacs have open leaf buds, we saw the first ladybirds.

 

 Butterbur at the Põltsamaa river, photo sent by the Päinurme Internaatkool (6th class)

 

In the flower bed of the school narcissi are flowering. The berry bushes have small leaves. Lilac leaves will be out any moment. Seen from afar the bird cherry seems greenish. We heard the golden oriole singing.

Sadala Elementary School (Jõgevamaa)

 

Yellow wood anemones started flowering and dandelions can also be seen, the grass grows powerfully, the forest – depending on the dominating tree species – gets more colour – yellowish-green, reddish. Hyacinths are open in the garden beds. Gooseberries and bird cherries have quite long and green buds already. The children have met the first ticks and eaten chives from the kitchen garden beds at home.

Pärnu Raeküla Kool,  4^th class

 

Many exciting photos and discoveries are in the Tääksi Elementary School „See the weather” children’s blog: http://ilmasilmaja.wordpress.com/

They also contribute to the international environmental blog GLOBE.

 

WEATHER OBSERVATIONS:

 

April 15 - 21, mean air temperature

 

April 29 – May 5, mean air temperature