Editor of science news from the Year of the Great Tit  Marko Mägi, marko.magi@ut.ee, bird ecology researcher at University of Tartu
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That tits are the most numerous of bird feeder visitors is also confirmed by the results of the Winter Garden Bird Watch. The tits bustle briskly at the bird feeders in early light, leaving only when dusk falls, and it is almost impossible to make sure who came, who left, to where and whether a bird actually returns to the same bird feeder.

Info from Estonian Ornithological Society
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On February 9th Estonian Post in cooperation with the Estonian Ornithological Society published a stamp, an envelope and a postcard with the Bird of the Year. The stamp shows the turtle dove, the postcard the collared turtle dove and the envelope both the birds of the year. Moreover a special first day stamp was created.

Science news from the Year of the Great Tit edited by Marko Mägi, marko.magi@ut.ee bird ecology scientist at the University of Tartu
Translation Liis

Published in Estonian 17,01.2017

Scientific news from the Year of the Great Tit edited by Marko Mägi, marko.magi@ut.ee , bird ecology researcher at the University of Tartu
Translation Liis

Published in Estonian 29.12.2017

Ecologically species can be divided into specialists and generalists. While the specialissed species are adapted to specific environmental conditions and rapid changes may become difficult for them, then generalists can cope with a variety of conditions – both urban and rural, warm or cold, in forests or open spaces. Thus it is no surprise that that the generalists are often synanthropes, or associated with humans, i e species that have been able to adapt urban life and become numerous, due to their high adaptivity and small selectivity. One of the best known generalists is man himself who can cope in all regions (except the Arctic areas). Few animal species manage to match humans in this.

Text and photos Tiit Hunt, www.rmk.ee
Translation Liis

One of the characteristics in Estonia’s new visual identity is the concept of erratic boulders. Estonia has the greatest number of erratic boulders in the whole of Europe.

This might inspire nature fans to go on a trip to see some of the more sizeable giant boulders for themselves for a change. Bare trees and an almost non-existent snow cover favour such ventures in all ways. Even in a dense thicket all kinds of geological sights stand out much more clearly now.