Black Stork Nest in Karula 2022

Cameras Watching over Black Storks nest
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Jo UK
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Black Stork Nest in Karula 2022

Post by Jo UK »

With thanks to Anne7 for this comprehensive introduction.

.
THE LOCATION

This Black Stork nest is located in Karula National Park which is possibly the best breeding area for Black Stork in Estonia nowadays.

Karula National Park
The smallest (surface area: 123 km²) and hilliest national park in Estonia, Karula National Park is located in the Karula Uplands, on the borders of Valga and Võru counties.
The unique, beautiful terrain of the Karula Uplands formed more than 10,000 years ago as a result of the action of glacial ice. With the continental glacier retreating, the northern section of Karula came to feature predominantly dome-shaped kames, or hills covered with fields, grassland or forests. Kames are separated from one another by small, wet meadows, forest stands, patches of marshy ground and lakes. The hilly section of the national park is its most densely populated area. The southern part of Karula features groups of eskers and kames with mires and forests, where human settlements are quite rare. The highest point in the uplands is Tornimägi Hill (137.8 m) in the village of Rebasemõisa. The Karula Uplands boast 60 lakes, of which 40 are located in the national park. The largest among them is the picturesque Lake Ähijärv (176 ha) with its winding shoreline, next to Ähijärv is Karula National Park visitor centre.
Karula is the name of a former parish, thought to come from the word karune, or rough. This word perfectly describes the region, which abounds in wooded hills difficult to access or cultivate.
The varied terrain of Karula was placed under national protection, with the original landscape protection area being designated a national park in 1993. The park was established to preserve the natural environment found in the hilly landscapes characteristic of Southern Estonia, where forests and lakes abound, as well as species under protection and the cultural heritage of the area.

© https://kaitsealad.ee/en/protected-area ... nal-park-0

Image
© https://kaitsealad.ee/en/protected-area ... nal-park-0

Karula rahvuspargi Lüllemäe kuplistik sügisel (The Lüllemäe Hills of Karula National Park in autumn)
Image
© Photo: Arne Ader
© https://kaitsealad.ee/en/protected-area ... nal-park-0

Video
Here you can watch a beautiful video of Karula National Park:
The hidden treasures of Karula National Park - Karula rahvuspargi peidetud väärtused


© Keskkonnaamet



THE NEST

The original nest was found in February 2016 by the Eagle Club's (Kotkaklubi) nest search camp.
The old nest collapsed after the 2017 breeding season.
A new - artificial - nest was build by Urmas & Friends in the same tree, before the 2018 breeding season began.

Image
https://www.looduskalender.ee/n/en/node/3350



SUCCESSIVE BREEDING SEASONS

2016 - Karl (715R) and Kati
There were 4 eggs. 3 hatched. One of the 3 chicks had a severe growth retardation and did not develop normally. That chick clearly had a health problem and has been eliminated by Kati. The other 2 (Kulla and Kalli) were well fed and fledged successfully. They had no transmitter.

2017 - Karl (715R) and Kati
There were 4 chicks. Although the youngest looked healthy, it was eliminated by Kati.
The reason why bird infanticide (brood reduction) occurs on a nest is well described here:
viewtopic.php?p=686634#p686634
The remaining 3 storklets (Unu, Tali and Usin) were well-nourished and fledged successfully. They had no transmitter.

2018 - Karl (715R) and Kati
There were 4 eggs, but only 3 hatched. All 3 storklets were healthy and well-fed. All 3 fledged successfully. Unfortunately Päike and Maru perished during their first autumn migration. Our Karula perished in Turkey, shortly before his 3rd birthday.

2019 - Karl II (716C) and Kati
Karl perished on his way home in the spring of 2019. A new male took his place (Karl II). Kati accepted him immediately. There were 4 eggs. All 4 chicks hatched. Kati eliminated the youngest chick. Another storklet was knocked from the nest by a goshawk. The 2 remaining storklets, Oru and Aru, fledged successfully, but perished during their first autumn migration

2020 - Karl II (716C) and Kaia
Kati didn’t return to the nest in spring. Probably she perished.
Karl II waited on the nest. Finally a very young (presumably 2 years old - born in 2018) female arrived (Kaia).
She laid 2 late eggs, but abandoned them. Kaia was then very skinny and not in good condition, and probably also too young to take on a maternal role. No chicks hatched.

2021- Karl II (716C) and Kaia
There were 4 eggs. One of the eggs broke during incubation. 3 chicks, Udu, Pikne and Tuul, hatched and fledged successfully. Little Tuul was predated shortly after starting his first migration. The 2 others flew to Africa, but didn’t send a spring update (so far)

2022- Karl II (716C) and Kaia
2022

2022- Karl II (716C) and Kaia
Current season.



LIVE STREAM
Jo UK
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Post by Jo UK »

This year we have a different camera. It has night vision and a moderate zoom function. There is no pan-tilt function, but really, we only need zoom for instance, to be able to identify food brought to the nest by the adults, or to have a closer view of the chicks, if desired.

Following text by Urmas and Triin ;-
We are using the AXIS P1455-LE camera at the nest. Therefore we’re able to meet the wishes of the friends and supporters of the Black stork to see what is happening in the nest at night. Black stork cameras don't need to be camouflaged. So far, we haven't noticed the camera disturbing nesting birds. On the contrary, adults have sometimes wanted to lift the camera into the nest like nest material that has fallen away. The camera is transmitted via mobile Internet. The image is transferred to the server of the Estonian Fund for Nature, where the video is being prepared and saved for YouTube streaming. The livestream is broadcasted through the Eagle Club YouTube channel. We recommend following the Kotkaklubi channel in case the link for the broadcast changes due to technical reasons. All other Estonian eagle and black stork nest cameras and a Capercaillie camera can also be found on the Eagle Club channel. The use of the stream from the nest elsewhere for non-commercial purposes is not prohibited, but please let us know if possible (send a message to urmas (ät) kotkas.ee)

To help identification of Kaia, who doesn't have rings, here is a picture of her eye and beak.
Image
Jo UK
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Post by Jo UK »

.
IMPORTANT EVENTS 2022


ARRIVALS
On 8 April, KARL II (ring number 716 C) arrived at the nest.
Video of Karl II's arrival at the nest. He made his usual noisy entrance!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zeGyeV ... 4&index=10

On 12 April, Kaia (no rings) arrived at 12:51
Kotkaklubi video: “Excitement of reunion”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JMRFPM5NIE
https://youtube/jzmQ95o0QHg



While we are waiting for the link to the live camera stream here is the link to the Eagle Club 's Youtube channel. When we can see "our" camera it will appear on the Kotkaklubi channel so keep watching.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCvBXT ... Saqd19N0Sg
Live stream began April 11, 2022. See above for link.


EGGS

The 1st egg was laid on 24.04.2022 at 04:32
https://www.looduskalender.ee/forum/vie ... 58#p849458

The 2nd egg was laid on 26.04.2022 at 06:34
https://www.looduskalender.ee/forum/vie ... 85#p849985

The 3rd egg was laid on 29.04.2022 at 00:49
https://www.looduskalender.ee/forum/vie ... 06#p850606

The 4th egg was laid on 01.05.2022 at 06:17
https://www.looduskalender.ee/forum/vie ... 85#p851085
Therefore it is likely that we shall see the beginning of hatching from May 26 - 27. Incubation usually takes 32 - 35 days.

Chicks Hatched

First chick hatched May 28, 2022.
https://up.picr.de/43699657bz.jpg

Second Chick hatched May 28, 2022.
https://up.picr.de/43700893fh.jpg


Third Chick hatched May 31, 2022
https://www.looduskalender.ee/forum/vie ... 25#p858325

Swenja's picture posted on 14.06.22 deserves a place in the Important Events page!
Image
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Liz01
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Post by Liz01 »

Jo thank you! :loveshower:

pictures taken from Kotkaklubi's video

Welcome back Karl II :loveshower:
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I have permission from Kotkaklubi to use the video. it will be available soon on my channel. They say: Live stream hopefully tomorrow.. :bow:
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Heloise
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Post by Heloise »

Hello!
Thank you for the video, dear Kotkaklubi-team!
Liz, thank you for your photos! :thumbs:
I made some screenshots too. The camera view is a little different this year.

Image

Image

Image

It was nice to see that Karl II started cleaning the house right away. Cleaned the nest floor and lifted the branches. So nice he's home! Karl II looks very good, he seems to have rested and eaten well. Now we are waiting for Kaia, the little princess!

:whistling:
Good night!
:wave:
icechips
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Post by icechips »

Looking Good Karl !!!! Welcome home!!! hope your lady is on her way to you!!!
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Anne7
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Post by Anne7 »

:wave: Hi everyone!

Jo, thanks for opening the new topic! :thumbs:

Liz and Heloise, many thanks for the beautiful screenshots! :2thumbsup:

Yes, our Karl II looks great!

Little Princess, Karl II is waiting for you. Hurry up!
Have you 2 read it, Karl II and Kaia? Bigfan wishes you "a lot of handy little Karls this year"!
... Little Kaias are okay too, I'm sure!


May the season be successful and prosperous!

Hopefully the cam will be online soon.

icechips :hi:
“Clearly, animals know more than we think, and think a great deal more than we know.”
— Irene Pepperberg
Treia
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Post by Treia »

:wave:
Karl II is at home and the season 2022 opened, great! :loveshower:
I wish a good summer to the black stork families in the Karula forest!


And at the same time a small question how intended...
Karl - adult male, ring number 715R
Kaia
shouldn't it be Kati?
KARL II (ring number 716 C)
because Karl II's femalefriend is Kaia.
:blush:
Jo UK
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Post by Jo UK »

Thank you for that, Treia. I will investigate in the morning.
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Anne7
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Post by Anne7 »

April 11th

Good morning all :wave:

Jo :hi:

Treia, :hi:

715R was the ring number of our Karl (the First).
Karl II has ring number 716C
Kaia doesn’t have a ring.
“Clearly, animals know more than we think, and think a great deal more than we know.”
— Irene Pepperberg
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Liz01
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Post by Liz01 »

online :loveshower: :loveshower: thank you!
Image

Image

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JMRFPM5NIE

he is still waiting

20:08 he came home for the night
https://youtu.be/A2qAPTc08ek
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Anne7
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Post by Anne7 »

Liz :wave: :thumbs:

The camera is online! :loveshower:

That’s wonderful news!

Thank you Urmas and thank you Kotkaklubi!
Thank you too, Jo!
“Clearly, animals know more than we think, and think a great deal more than we know.”
— Irene Pepperberg
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Michi
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Post by Michi »

Thank you very much for the cam! :D

20:09:21 Karl II returned for the night. Before he had left the nest at 14:24.
Image

20:09:26 He arrived with calls.
Image

20:09:36
Image
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Michi
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Post by Michi »

20:26 Standing on one leg.
Image

And now I discovered that we have a cam with night view! :D

20:43
Image

Thank you so much, Urmas and colleagues! :2thumbsup:

Liz, Anne :wave: :D
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Anne7
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Post by Anne7 »

Michi :wave:
Thank you too! :loveshower: :thumbs:

It’s so good to see our wonderful Karl II !

Kaia isn’t there yet.
But Eedi, Timmu and Nurme aren’t home either.
Everyone seems to be a little delayed this year…
“Clearly, animals know more than we think, and think a great deal more than we know.”
— Irene Pepperberg
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Swenja
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Post by Swenja »

Hi all :wave:
and Welcome Karl II! I hope that Kaia will come home too.

Thanks to the hard-working Urmas and the team Kotkaklubi. The camera can night vision?
Freedom!
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Anne7
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Post by Anne7 »

I was hoping to see you soon too, Swenja! :wave: :thumbs:

Oh boy, when will we sleep, now that this camera has night vision?! :laugh:
“Clearly, animals know more than we think, and think a great deal more than we know.”
— Irene Pepperberg
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Michi
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Post by Michi »

Anne, this year Karl II arrived earlier than last year. Wasn't it April 12 in 2021? He's 4 days earlier.
I also hope, Kaia will arrive soon. Every day without her is hard for our Karl II. :-)
But the most important thing is that she had survived the winter and manages the long journey at all. :bow:

Anne7 wrote: April 11th, 2022, 8:59 pm Oh boy, when will we sleep, now that this camera has night vision?! :laugh:
:laugh:

Swenja :hi:
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Anne7
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Post by Anne7 »

I don’t remember it very well, but you may be right, Michi!
I don't know it by heart.
Karl II arrived around the 10th or the 11th in 2021, I think.

And Kaia the day after his arrival?
Well, it’s not very important at the moment. :D

As you say: the only thing that matters is that she will make it!
“Clearly, animals know more than we think, and think a great deal more than we know.”
— Irene Pepperberg
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Michi
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Post by Michi »

Two pics from earlier today, when Karl II left the nest in the afternoon.

14:23 Our beauty ... :-)
Image

14:24 He leaves
Image
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