Text and photos  Aare Lindt, www.loodusmuuseum.ee
Translation Liis

Grey chi

Grey chi    Hall-kribuöölane     Antitype chi

The grey chi is a common moth in Estonia. In August and the first half of September they should be seen everywhere but they often remain unnoticed by us thanks to their good camouflage colouring.

Text and photos  Aare Lindt, www.loodusmuuseum.ee
Translation Liis

Sallow

Sallow     Vaarika-kollaöölane     Cirrhia icteritia

The sallow is present in the whole of Estonia and is common everywhere. The first moths hatch in mid-August and their flight lasts until the beginning of October. Meeting them is a sign to us that autumn is approaching.

Science news for the Year of teh Great Tit edited by UT Bird ecology researcher Marko Mägi,marko.magi@ut.ee
Photo Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Despite the fact that it is easier for birds acting together in a group to notice dangers and sound warning calls they too must keep eyes and ears open at foraging to become aware of an approaching threat. Such a mode of foraging is characteristic for many birds feeding in groups. But what happens when warning calls do not reach their aim? For instance in a noisy environment where the efficiency of warning calls is small or one’s mates do not even perceive the calls. Today humans are ever more accompanied by artificial sounds, particularly in cities where traffic noise is several times louder than the natural background of sound. Yet many birds prefer to breed, winter, forage in cities – is then the noise no problem for them?