The author, Kristel Vilbaste, also posts texts in Vikerraadio

Photo: Arne Ader

Translation into English by Maret

Estonian text posted 09.08.2018

Chicory

Old people used to say, that if the first week of August is hot, we will have a long and cold winter and the snow will stay long in the spring.

Today’s weather people have so far been a bit shocked by their own summer forecasts and don’t even dare to predict so far ahead.

It feels, as if the whole nature is padding itself with cotton wool. The woolly tips of the thistles are big and soft and the seed pods of the willow herb look like downy mountains. The ground looks like it was covered in fog, it is so dry. There has been no rain for three months is some parts of Estonia and digging down as deep as you manage, it is still as dry as ashes.

But in the nature’s enchanted garden we can still find flowering beauty.

The author, Kristel Vilbaste, also posts texts on Vikerraadio.

Photos: Arne Ader

Translation into English by Maret

Estonian text posted 08.08.2018

Common buzzard

Sitting on the balcony at my cottage, I get confused by the sounds of a bird. It whistles. And it is confusing, because there are two birds who whistle rather similar tunes.

When there is a bigger, whistling bird whose flight resembles jumping, coming from the direction of Tammesõõru, it is a Eurasian jay. But the other one, whose whistle, almost a scream, is heard from high up between the treetops and sometimes over the meadow beyond the creek, is the common buzzard.

Information from  Aivar Leito

English translation Liis

Estonian text posted 30.08.2018

„Hauka 3“ in home territory; trail camera image Urmas Sellis

Crane         Sookurg      Grus grus

Dear Crane Friends!

I am happy to tell you that now  the movements of our cranes with transmitters can be seen again in the Bird Migration Map (http://birdmap.5dvision.ee/EE), that is, the autumn migration 2018 season has been opened.

Image from camera, video and summary  Tiit Hunt, www.rmk.ee

English translation Liis

Estonian text posted 28.08.2018

The badger family is doing well as before, two cubs are alive and in good health and parasites do not seem to harass them overmuch. Longer tours out of the badger castle seem to have ended for this year.

Last week the camera had recorded badger activities almost every evening and night and even during some morning hours. We have not seen the old male badger in his home burrow for some time but if he is well and healthy he will return home in due time.

Screenshot from webcam  IceAge, LK forum
English translation Liis

Estonian text posted 27.06.2018

A really handsome greater spotted eagle juvenile that will be three months old on September 1st

 

 

Greater spotted eagle       Suur-konnakotkas         Aquila clanga or Clanga clanga