Photos Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 29.06.2018

Gathering of moulting mute swans

Mute swan         Kühmnokk-luik      Cygnus olor

 

We meet such gatherings of swans in sea bays already for  weeks. The moulting lasts for a long time, swan feathers can be seen on the shore and on a calm water surface still in August..

Swan flocks feeding in such shallow waters are mostly non-breeding young birds but also adults whose breeding has been unsuccessful for various reasons.

Linnuvaatleja science news,  www.linnuvaatleja.ee

Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 27.06.2018

Sexually oriented behaviour between individuals of the same sex – climbing on back, copulating, seducing partner – has been observed in several bird species and mostly among females. The partners may for instance groom each others plumage, build or share a nest and even incubate eggs. Sexual acts between male birds are known from at least 93 bird species of which however only 18 cases (19%) have been identified in pairs in permanent relationship; most frequently male pairs are found among geese (Anseriformes) and suliform (Suliformes) birds. There are however only rare reports of common nesting attempts among male birds.

Screenshot from webcam  Sapheira, LK forum
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 27.06.2018

Osprey           Kalakotkas      Pandion haliaetus

Screenshot from webcam and video Svenja, LK forum
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 27.06.2018

Male Karl feeding the chicks

Black stork         Must-toonekurg         Ciconia nigra

There is less down left on the stork chicks thanks to their own  nibbling as well as that of the siblings, as a pastime. So they also get rid of  parasites in the nest and birds have plenty of them. The older ones and the a couple of days younger ones  can be distinguished by the length of their beaks.

Text and images from the ringing sent by  Aivar Leito
Screenshot from web camera  Fleur, LK forum
Translation Liis

Estonian text posted 22.06.2018

I have followed the seal camera at Innarahu on the Saaremaa western coast constantly besides the other Looduskalender web cameras.

At the moment I see on the screen grey geese, mallards, mew gulls, great black-backed gulls and herring gulls, arctic terns and oystercatchers and at sea the male eiders that begin their moulting.

Most of them besides the terns and oystercatchers are non-breeding ”lazers” that are in no hurry anywhere and with the foraging raids of white-tailed eagles on the islets the only worry.