Photo Arne Ader

Translation Liis

Swallowtail     Pääsusaba       Papilio machaon

Truly one of our most beautiful day-flying butterflies. Large and eye-catching, the swallowtail  is easily recognizable – its wing span is up to 8 ½ centimetres. On the hind wings we note the ”tails”, characteristic for swallowtails. However, we leave a detailed description of the butterfly to our readers – it isn’t difficult, try doing it!.

Photos Arne Ader

Translation Liis

Bird'w-eye primroses

Bird's eye primrose   Pääsusilm  Primula farinosa

The humid habitats of the bird’s-eye primroses should preferably have a soil that is rich in lime. We will find these beautiful flowers in all Estonia, and not only in meadows, but irregularly distributed.

Breathtakingly beautiful sites may be found on the north-western coast of the mainland and on the islands where bird’s-eye primroses are in almost full flower.

Text and photos  Aare Lindt, www.loodusmuuseum.ee

Translation Liis

Nut tree tussock

Nut tree tussock    Sarapuuöölane      Colocasia coryli

The nut tree tussock occurs in all Estonia and is quite common.

The moths fly in May-June, in broadleaf and mixed forests, as well as in parks and gardens. In a favourable year a few second generation specimens can be seen in August.

In May the nut tree tussock is easily recognizable. In June however the wing pattern and colour of the moths may be so worn that even a specialist has difficulties in identifying them.

Text and photos Aare Lindt, www.loodusmuuseum.ee

Translation Liis

Oak beauty

Oak beauty  Tamme-kedrikvaksik  Biston stratarius

The oak beauty was discovered in Estonia for the first time by amateur entomologist Tiit Marnot in 1961. By now they have spread over all Estonia and have become locally quite common

It flies from mid-April to mid-May.

Video recorded by Urmas Lett, www.eenet.ee

Translation Liis

Black stork   Must-toonekurg       Ciconia nigra

The two bigger storklets are only three days old, one is a day younger which shows too, but all are well and sturdy.