Successful shots of bird migration

A nice specimen of Red-breasted Goose - rare and protected (III category) migratory goose species in Estonia - was repeatedly spotted during latest weeks. Several wildlife photo enthusiasts had good opportunities to take nice pictures of this bird.

A Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) among other goose species.
Photo: Mati Vaus

The Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avocetta) is a remarkable black and white wader in the avocet and stilt family. It has been breeding in the western coast western archipelago of Estonia for several decades by now. Still it can surprise us sometimes.

Avocet (Recurvirostra avocetta) group in flight.
Photo: Nils-Edvard Tennmann

News from 'nestcameras'

Thanks to the direct video stream from ‘nestcameras’ it is possible to watch the domestic life of good old acquaintances - the Tawny Owl pair Klaara and Klaus. In the first half of April five nestlings were hatched nicely and happily. Unfortunately the cold spring and lack of catch has lead to dramatic changes in this family idyll. Two of the latest nestlings have perished and there isn’t enough food for the other three.

Tawny Owls

In case of the ‘Year of Buzzard’ there are now nestcameras at two Common Buzzard’s nests. There are 3 eggs in both nests and so far it seems to be OK. Buzzards are extremely sensitive during the hatching period.

Common Buzzards

Additional information:

http://www.looduskalender.ee. 

Easter Birdwatching Results

Migratory birds continue to arrive even in this seemingly cold windy spring. It's always big fun and hard work to go out and spot the newcomers.

April is the month of Easter birdwatching event and quick changes in species lists.

 In April 4-5 over 400 people were counting birds and as a result 200 species lists were compiled. More than 140 000 birds from 150 species were recorded. These days there was really active geese migration taking place and consequently more than 50% of counted birds were geese. In addition to that more numerous species were Chaffinch, Common and Black-headed Gull and Black Cormorant. Many birdwatchers were lucky to spot their first Pied Wagtail, Robin, Redwing, Songthrush, Wheatear, Osprey or Black Stork of this year.

The rarest record of these days was a Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) among other geese near Räpina polder. Natural origin of this species may be doubtful though. 

Another spotted rarity was Arctic Skua, confessedly never migrating through Estonia so early in spring.

Other notable occasions during Easter birdwatching were migrating cormorants, lekking Black Grouse and a Pygmy Owl on a feeding table, not to speak about a fishing otter.

This is the list of counted bird species.

Additional inormation from Estonian Ornithological Society website http://www.eoy.ee