Text  Sibelle Lee

Photos Virge Võsujalg

Comments Aivar Leito, “Uncle Crane“

English translation Liis

Estonian text posted 17.08.2018

Such a crane chick was brought to us

On July 14th the Imeloomade Selts, a society that helps wild animals in distress, received a call that in the Kaelas village in Pärnu  County a lonely crane chick had appeared in the farm yard.

The neighbourhood had been searched but adults to whom to return their offspring was not to be found anywhere.

The wildlife helpers expected a half-metre tall angry fighter such as young cranes may be at this time. The surprise was great when the bird was handed to them across the gate in a small box. 

Photos Arne Ader
English translation Liis

Estonian text posted 10.08.2018

Bird cherry berries

Bird cherry    Harilik toomingas       Padus avium

From the flowers that were pollinated during the flowering time of the bird cherry black and glossy berries have ripened by now.

Bird cherry berries are quite edible: taste sourish, with a high Vitamin C content and quite good for the body. But they are rich in tanning compounds, making the mouth feel ”thick” on eating.

Screenshots from webcam UteL, LK forum
English translation Liis

Estonian text posted 15.08.2018

Yesterday morning the storklets were in the nest as usual…

Black stork        Must-toonekurg       Ciconia nigra 

The young storks left on migration as usual a little before they were three months old. They did not go on discovery trips together and they left from the nest at different times and in different directions. And how do we know?

Photos Tiit Hunt and Arne Ader
English translation Liis

Estonian text posted 10.08.2018

Viviparous eelpout or blenny    Emakala or kiviluts        Zoarces viviparus

The mating period is comparable to that of  mammals; the facts are as follows.

The male fertilizes the roe inside the female fish and in the ovary of the female fry develop from the roe grains. Thus the eelpout is a viviparous fish, or our only one to give birth to living fry..