First wave of major crane migration has arrived

Submitted by Looduskalender EN on Thu, 21.09.2017 - 11:22
Autorid

Time-lapse video by Omar Neiland
Translation Liis

 

Estonian text published 16.09.2017

Summary of Friday

Body

 

Crane        Sookurg       Grus grus

 

On Friday afternoon the first major migration wave of cranes reached western Estonia from Finland. The north-westerly winds favoured the migrants and in the webcam the massive passing flight was visible from half past five until dark. At least a couple of hundred of cranes stopped for the night in camera view, but already in the dark. They stay for the night in shallow shore waters to avoid all kinds of molesters. The water level was about thirty centimetres above average already the day before yesterday.

The birds that have made a pause in their migration feed in daytime in the harvested grain fields. People who use the roads will notice cranes more frequently now.

Today the wind does not favour the migrants, there was a south-westerly wind up to 15 m/s. But the cranes that had already arrived could be seen and heard from seven o’clock in the afternoon.

We are waiting for suitable migration weather. Then we can provide an estimate of how many cranes make a migration stopover in the Matsalu neighbourhood.

Last night Anti Karlin sent the map showing the resting areas of the Finnish cranes.

Soome kaardil on sinisega märgitud paikades kogunenud rändele üle tuhande sookure ja lõunarannikul kollasega märgituna üle kuue tuhande linnu.

On the map of Finland areas where more than a thousand cranes have gathered are marked in blue. On the southern coast marks in yellow represent more than six thousand birds.

Cranes will be introduced in more detail next week.

We use cookies on our website to support technical features that enhance your user experience.

We also use analytics & advertising services. To opt-out click for more information.