Ennu Farm & Beyond

After bemoaning my luck yesterday having not seen a single Golden Oriole and pressing the 'Publish Post' button, Ille and I left for the short walk up to the next farm. With the promise of new-laid eggs, rhubarb cakes and a few birds on the way what could be better? I'll tell you what, no fewer than c5 Golden Orioles flying across the road. With no chance of a photograph during each encounter, first came a pair in company, followed at about 3 minute intervals by 3 further males, a sight to behold and at last we had seen them!

Farmer's wife Riika and Ille (dog obscured) with a bag of 'goodies'.

Riley, Semu the dog and Mum down at the Egg Farm.

This is the view from the back room windows of the farm house, over several acres of Dandelion. On the way here from Tallinn we had seen field after field of what has to be crops, so a little venture into Wikipedia reveled all:-

Research is showing that the many constituents of Dandelion including Taraxacin, Taraxacoside, Insulin, Phenolic acids, Sesquiterpene lactones, Triterpenes, Coumarins, Catortenoids and Minerals, mainly Potassium and calcium, are very valuable in curing a number of disorders and illnesses. Dandelion is traditionally used as a tonic and blood purifier, for constipation, inflammatory skin conditions, joint pain, eczema and liver dysfunction, including liver conditions such as hepatitis and jaundice.

Other Uses

When placed in a paper bag with unripe fruit, the flowers and leaves of Dandelion release ethylene gas ripening the fruit quickly. A liquid plant food is made from the root and leaves. A dark red dye is obtained from Dandelion root. A cosmetic skin lotion made from the appendages at the base of the leaf blades distilled in water, is used to clear the skin and is effective in fading freckles.

The main path from the house to the West Wood.

With the exception of a couple of brief snatches, mainly around the headwaters of the River Findhorn in Scotland, I can't say that I have heard Northern Wheatear 'sing' in a recognised fashion. That was put right today as this male was singing its head off. By no means in the same stable as say Blackcap or Robin, the song does have a certain charm but a little guttural for all that.

Unfortunately, Wikipedia let me down this time. I did think these beauties, which are wide spread and numerous here, were Marsh Marigold but even the leaf doesn't match the photos. Any ideas please!

A male Linnet, one of a flock of c7 resident here.

The next conundrum came the day after we arrived. With a dearth of raptors so far, only Common Buzzard has been seen, what was thought to be the begging call of maybe a Kestrel or Merlin coming from a high Sycamore was deserving of some investigation. Intermittently through that, and successive days the calls continued but there was no sign of a nest. The morning I saw a bird that looked rather like a large Warbler perched at the very top of the same tree, partly obscured by foliage. Almost ready to concede the sound couldn't be coming from this bird, it altered position and showed a 'barred' under-tail, that's when it dawned on me (it often takes a while) it was 'of course' a Wryneck. Another 'tick' on the song list, and fairly obvious once you know as it had that long Kestrel-like laugh similar to Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.

Wryneck, not a brilliant image but one that tells the story!

At the same time as catching sight of the Wryneck, the first White Stork we have seen from the property also flew over, it was becoming a good day. Also on our way here, we noted c27 White Storks, c8 of which were in a single flock and c11 occupied nests (all associated with human habitation).

A further update on wildlife seen, in addition to those already mentioned here and in previous posts, Hooded Crow and Great Spotted Woodpecker, both seen here before, joined the list yesterday. A single Yellowhammer, otherwise common, strayed onto a barn roof on Wednesday on which day the first sighting of what seem to be a resident pair of Ravens also passed overhead, and daily since. Today has been fruitful as well, in addition to the return of the day long absent, singing, Icterine Warbler, Nuthatch, Garden Warbler, Coal Tit and a pair of Common Redstarts also appeared in the garden early morning. Butterflies remain at Peacock, Map, Wood White, Brimstone, Small Blue and Green-veined White.

Common Redstart (female)

Discovering Ennu Farm on the Outside

Frustratingly close is the prognosis on the Golden Orioles, plural as there are at least 2, but confined to impenetrable woodland, at least for the time being. Settling down to another al fresco breakfast in beautiful sunshine and the temperature already high 60's, they started up, and seemingly just beyond the belt of crops (about 300 meters) I thought if nothing else this may constitute an early morning walk? Access to the edge of the wood is easy but after you pass the singing Yellowhammer, Blackcap and Linnets, things get dramatically more difficult. I suppose they dig them just too wide to leap, so it was the dikes that kept me at bay. This seems to the only place these birds are resident this year so I guess a lucky break is needed, and they come to me.

Anyway, I could now smell something cooking as I returned and with just enough time to pour a cup of Ille's home made Red Currant Cordial,

out she came with the freshly baked Sausage Rolls.

The afore mentioned pair of Spotted Flycatchers watched over us from above during most of the meal, and we decided that the unlikely nest site suggested is in fact just a source of nesting material.

Today they turned their attentions to one of several moss lined hanging baskets, which between them they brutally pulled apart, but in the name of 'nesting' who cares.

Likewise the new parent Tree Sparrows seemed little worried about our presence, and continued delivery of what looked like a mixture of juicy green caterpillars, insects and a seed or two. We should still be here when they fledge, now that will be a good subject.

So, to looking around the grounds, we first have the new bathroom extension complete with fully mobile hand-wash basin, and no plumbing worries.

The main bathroom cum sink unit, comprises self pumping water from the well, new galvanized buckets and bath-tub. I did consider publishing last nights shot of me in the tub but thought you should be spared that.

Next door is the ye olde farming equipment collection suite, left exactly as it was (like the rest of the house) when the farm became redundant itself.

A few more items from the museum.

A male Brimstone butterfly that strayed into the garden.

Ille has busied herself all day digging over the vegetable plot and planting this years onions and beetroot, as she had done so well and finished so quickly I thought it only fair that she should do the shopping as well. Seen here clutching a fresh supply of Vodka, she has already carried the beer into the house from the 'once a week' mobile shop, oh and we also got some fresh fish, Sardines I think!

That's Ille on the 'mobile' again.

and just in case you think I was stood around doing nothing, there were 2 camera batteries on charge that I needed to keep careful watch on - hic!

Welcome To Ennu Farm

So, we've left Tallinn behind for the sanctuary of Ille's country retreat Ennu Farm. All of their lives her parents aided by herself and her brother worked the area as a general farm. These days it's pretty much redundant, except that farmer Rowner, who lives about 2Km to the north, grows several acres of cereal crops while another farmer, equidistant in the opposite direction, grazes some beef stock. This is a long time arrangement for which no money changes hands, but Ille is never short of milk, eggs, cheese beef and the odd chicken.

The property is about 100 hectares (whatever that is, I think biggish) in total of which as much as 50% must be prime woodland. Comprising mainly of Silver Birch, there are also a few species of pine, Rowan, Ash, Alder and an English Oak or two.

The journey here took us 2 and a half hours from the capital to Viljandi, about 160Km, by bus then a further half hour by the single daily service mini-bus through Kolga-Jaani village, 8Km away, which dropped us right at the door. There are a few other crofts along the way, but traffic along the dirt road is light eliminating all but the smallest of disturbances. There is a lorry park 3 Km up the road, and beyond a huge area given over to peat covered fields, but I've failed to discover, yet, what all that is about.

Ennu Farmhouse, so far we have discovered a pair of Tree Sparrows feeding young under the eves, a pair of White Wagtail nesting somewhere in the building (yet to be discovered) and today a pair of Swallows were prospecting the main porch (the extension to the right), which in fact is part of the inside of the house. If they do persist we'll have to try and dissuade them as it will be locked when we leave. They do have a second option, the open porch below the Estonian flag, which they are also sussing out.

It is not known when The Old Barn was built but it was certainly in the 1800's, and has surely stood the test of time. The only signs of breeding in this building is attributed to 2 pairs of Starling (one each end) and the local stray cat. So far the kittens have not been found, but in this hostile environment (winter particularly) they would not be destined to live long, but more of that later.

The New Barn is more recent, but even that well precedes 1957 at which time the family called it home, while Dad was building the 'New' farm house. We believe a pair of Spotted Flycatcher are resident, but we can find no nest, but the two have been in and out with some regularity, so we're keeping watch from a safe distance. For certain there is a third pair of Starlings feeding young as well as a pair of White Wagtail.

We arrived to the 'song' of c3 Cuckoos, one flying directly overhead as we left the mini-bus. Within a matter of minutes, in addition to those already mentioned, we recorded Blue & Great Tit, Chaffinch, Willow & Chiff, Whitethroat, Jay, Woodlark, Skylark, Goldfinch, Common Buzzard and a singing Icterine Warbler. There was much to do as the property hadn't been visited for 2 months, so wood was brought in (plenty in store), water pumped (all comes from the well and sells in Tallin for a quid a litre) and bedding aired. After this there was some time for a wander and in addition to hearing that beautifully liquid song of a Golden Oriole (not located) I found a small colony of butterflies. It took me sometime to sort this one out via Google, as in the first instance I knew it wasn't The Map as Paul Harris had adequately sorted that one out for me when I found some here last Summer. Having searched through Fritillaries, Tortoiseshells etc it was just a fluke that i took a look at The Map only to find that the early and late broods have completely different morphs, the later ones as I had found are almost black.

The Map Butterfly (Spring edition)

another pose.

and with folded wings.

In the absence of my own archive photographs, I've blagged this 'second (summer) generation' Map butterfly photograph to highlight the problem.

There were also 'thousands' of young Frogs.

Out On The Town

Today was to be a 'social event', visiting some of the sights, bars, restaurants, people and clubs of Tallinn City Center. On our was to town we stopped to admire the commemorative statue to one of Estonia's greatest authors Anton Hansen Tammsaare (1878 - 1940) writer of 'Truth & Justice'.

Enter the city via the old gateway.

The Peppersack, one of Tallinn's oldest buildings.

Ille in the Main Square.

A little traditional Russian

Music before lunch.

Clockwise from me, Ille, her youngest son Herkko and his Austrian friend Stefan on a brief visit from Vienna. The duck was excellent!

Later in the day, Pierre awaited us at singularly my favourite location in the town. The Josephine Koffeek is renowned for all things chocolate especially the 'port cakes' and the hot chocolate itself. Washed down with a large Jamison's, what could be better?

An array of chocolate goodies to please the eye!

The plush interior and light Jazz make this THE place to relax.

Tea is served.

Ready for a bite to eat.

Yes, OK Bagsy back in your box!

A little further down the road, Restoran La Bottega features these 'walls of wine'.

Invited in to the Olde Hansad (c1400 AD) cucumber and a pot of Schnapps.

Auri Hakomaa, Tallinn's Mr Medieval, owner of many of the restaurants hereabouts welcomed us into his home and introduced us to his family. A memorable hour to say the least!

We visited one of his other establishments, The Restaurant Krambude which if Robin Hood himself had turned up we wouldn't have been surprised. A moment at the 'Guard Robe' to freshen up.

Some interior shots of Krambude.

At your service.

Ille by candlelight.

Good night!

A 'nightcap' at the Clazz Jazz Club, where Salsa was the order of the night, a couple of dances and beers before heading home.