Not So Much A 'Swan Song' - More Au Revoir to Ennu Farm

While there has been a build up of diary notes, I seem to have got a little chronologically out of kilter but this 'post' should put things back in order? Today's offering will be a little late too (ie tomorrow) as we have to prepare for our departure, and just like the school holidays, when we were kids, the 'last' day was always the best. So be sure to tune in tomorrow!

The sauna last night, while as antiquated as Neanderthal, was as effective as Syrup of Figs. Ille put me through my paces as far as protocol was concerned, and related stories of her childhood when shampoo wasn't heard of in this household. Mother would boil 'black bread', using the liquor as hair-wash and soap was of the carbolic variety. Armed with Silver Birch switch, soap and back scrubber, the idea was to spend as long, or short, as you liked in the 'steamer' then to the bathroom (garden) for a wash down with icy water before a beer back in the kitchen. Returning for a second session was optional but the same procedure was followed. After that we had dinner, accompanied by a Vodka or two, so it's no wonder we forgot to turn the 'moth light' on!

Today started well when I found a small colony of House Sparrows down at Rauno's farm, as I had mentioned yesterday that they seemed hard to come by. In addition a Magpie also appeared and was a second Ennu 'tick' for the day, and that's when yet another Swan flew overhead. This time the camera was at hand, allowing me to secure a few photos, from which I have deduced, rightly or wrongly, that all of these Swans have been Whoopers.

Magnified, the bill structure and colour can be seen and it seems the wedge of yellow is right for Whooper Swan. I would be grateful to hear any conflicting thoughts on this as Bewick's Swan also migrate through this region.

Is it a Whooper, is it a Bewick's or is it Superman?

I seem to have dispelled the Nightingale problem today as well, with glimpses of the birds singing, Nightingale like, here in the woods. The one, or more likely 2, seen were distinctly darker than the species mentioned and seemed to have little rufous in the tail, plus signs of a 'gorget'. So, these sightings endorse the fact that even geographically they should be Sprosser (Thrush Nightingale) so that's what we'll call them.

This male Whitethroat has been elusive, to say the least,

mostly, uncharacteristically, singing from the tops of the highest trees or in the thickest cover.

There were good numbers of Yellowhammer about today.

One of the resident pair of Ravens, looking a little scruffy.

The almost completed Swallow's nest in the old barn.

and a few shots of the interiors of the barns.

Plough and Grass Rake.

Old potato gatherer.

a selection of hand tools.

This square hedge used to be the perimeter of the former Farm House.

Johnny the Fox (Thin Lizzy) meets Long Tall Sally

Well, I guess it had to happen at some stage, so this morning we woke to a 15 knot breeze from the south, light rain and a fall in temperature from 70F+ to around 55F. The intent was to do a 'day twitch', visiting all of the haunts I have discovered during this brilliant visit, but maybe the weather will be kinder tomorrow. Up until mid-day we have been confined to barracks, but according to the radio there is still chance of a little respite later in the day.

Most of today's 'post' related to late yesterday afternoon when the daily Blog had been published and we discovered we had run out of Vodka. One of the very few snags with living in the country is the proximity of the nearest 'water hole', and in our case this is a 12Km round trip. Ille had no idea what time the village store closed on a Sunday, but we decided to risk it anyway and took to the bicycles. A most pleasant afternoon we soon came upon this small group of birds,

Male Whinchat, male Common (whatever happened to the far more descriptive 'Scarlet') Rosefinch and a female Whinchat.

The Whinchats being an addition to the Estonian List.

I'm sure I'll be forgiven for posting 2 images of the

Scarlet Rosefinch, can you get too many photos of such a little stunner?

while lurking in the grass close by was this Roe Deer.

By now, having walked about 300 meters into the bush to get these shots, I'm being summoned as there is no knowing when the shop will shut, if it hadn't already. We entered the village of Kolga Jaani at 17-15 but closure had beaten us by just 15 minutes.

Not wishing to miss an opportunity we continued on to the old and quaint church where not only was Ille baptised and her parents and brother laid to rest, but where she once decorated the interior, in the days when she had her own flower shop.

The Naive doorway.

Luckily, we had noticed, in passing, that the local boozer was open, Ille explaining that being the only such establishment for many kilometers it was not just a focal point, but also a source of just about anything you needed to buy. The only customer at the time was an old chap I immediately misidentified as the local drunk. Greeting us with a loud, slurred voice it become obvious later he was suffering from something more than a drink or two. My reaction when he picked up my camera didn't exactly endear him to me, when all he wanted to do was make sure I didn't forget it when we sat down to enjoy our first pint. However, that overcome the local workforce started to arrive, all on meager wages each bought a 2 litre plastic bottle of beer, which also served as a glass. Fortuitously, 2 of these were former friends of Ille's brother and there followed a session of reminiscing and singing of Beatle's hits. One of those present was a neighbour, who after his drink and unbeknown to us drove his car home, drove back in his van and pick both Ille and I plus the bikes and took us home.

Time for a few High Jinx in the local boozer!

Identification Updates

Globe Flower Trollius europaeus as identified for me by Mark Forster - thank you Mark.

Paul Harris writes to tell me that this is the Brown Silver-lines Moth, a resident of Pine woods, a Bracken feeder and easily disturbed during the day.

He has also informed me that this Dragonfly is most likely a Downy Emerald - thanks Paul.

While there is absolutely no rush to leave this fantastic place, already the 'social calendar' for when we return to Weymouth is filling. Celebrations for no fewer than 4 birthdays await, albeit 3 of these are to be rolled out as one big party, while the fourth involves a toast, with the REAL amber nectar, to a 50th birthday. Then of course there's the Joe Bonamassa gig, at the Bournemouth International Centre, hopefully followed by a get together with my eldest daughter Julie, her partner Nigel and my grandson Lee. All of this should take place during Ille's all too short 7 days stay!

This photograph was sent to me as a 'fore taster' of the real thing, when this 1960 Strathisla Single Malt will be the highlight of the evening.

Finally, by 14-00 the weather hadn't altered one jot, but by then determined not to let it beat me I set off, bedecked in a Herkko jacket and Ille scarf, to re-investigate a White Stork nest we had viewed distantly yesterday. Once again the bike came in handy and on the way I jammed into this quite handsome looking Fox, only the second mammal recorded on this Estonia trip.

Red Fox (or Johnny the Fox - Thin Lizzy 1976)

White Stork looks out from aloft.

There was definitely an adult in attendance yesterday, but on my arrival it appeared it / they were away feeding.

However, as I turned to leave a bill appeared above the rim of the nest, with the occupant standing and allowing a few shots before resuming the 'below parapet' position.

Having arrived dry, wind behind me the whole way, it was a different story going back. A little damp when I returned to Ennu Farm, but well, well worth the effort.

Patience Is A Virtue!

To catch up on the birding front, yesterdays walk in the mixed woodland produced a Nightjar flushed from its roost on the ground, and as has become usual several Wood Warblers. In addition, what looked like a female Common Rosefinch was added to the property list, as was a long awaited Song Thrush. A brood of at least c4 were seen in company with a couple of young Blackbirds, while c3 Greenfinch were also logged.

While failing to construct a temporary moth trap a lone Swan (looking like a Whooper) flew overhead, but with binoculars and camera in the house no evidence was gathered. As a substitute for the 'trap' we decided on a white sheet and leaving on one of the exterior lights, in the hopes of a little entomological action, at which point another c3 Swans followed the first to the west. This time bins were at hand, but all that could be said for certain was that there was yellow in the bill colour.

Ille collecting Silver Birch 'wands' to make 'switches' for tonight's sauna.

Here's one for Bomber. Diurnal, open pasture, mixed trees, favouring weeds including dandelion.

and before Bowie & Sheila start feeling forgotten here's one for them too. Pity the full effect of this couldn't be captured, as in varying light conditions the abdomen changed through bronze to this dark blue.

At long last Song Thrush gets onto the Estonia List - it took long enough even for this recently fledged individual.

Another Frog

Tree Pipit

Farmer Rauno

and wife Pihli

Planting the potatoes.

The forest floor is carpeted with 'Wild Strawberry' looks like a good crop to come this year.
I know someone who'll be out gathering later.

One of the 'Whites', I'm going for Green-veined?

This Common Rosefinch, again in full song, is a 'first' for the property.

Other updates include:- The pair of Swallows (Estonia's national bird) have now half completed a nest in the old barn, while both male Whitethroat and Icterine Warbler continue, so far in vain, the search for a partner. Both Hooded Crow and Jay are appearing daily and more numerous, c3 and c5 respectively, but House Sparrow, Dunnock, Wren plus any kind of Dove / Pigeon have yet to be accounted for!

These huge tracts of baron land are as I suggested a few days ago, peat fields. Just up the road from here is a machinery pound from where they cultivate and gather the peat, which in a small part goes to agriculture, Garden Centers etc but mostly contributes towards Bio-Fuels.

I doubt it was coincidence that these peat fields just happened to be clear of the otherwise uninterrupted forest? By the looks of the huge piles of 'dead elephants' a whole woodland has been grubbed out in the name of 'Bio'! Save the Plant - yea alright.

Golden Oriole (male) in full song but not shown in the picture.

OK, so how ya feeling today David? Perhaps not quite so sure of your position at the BBC? Well just wait for the next shot!

Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can. Often found in women, but never found in man!

Birding For Nothing & Your Victuals For Free!

Ille arrives back first thing this morning after the 'milk run'.

OK, so David Attenborough hasn't quiet handed his notice in yet, but they say he's worried. This is all we have so far of the now active Golden Orioles. Late afternoon there could have been as many as 4 individuals visiting the tall trees in the front copse. A single started singing there about 17-00 which was seen to fly west. Later another, or possibly the same, was doing likewise, and finally at 19-30 there were c2 male birds, both in song.

and here's a catch up on some photographs from the past few days.

This is as near as I've been able to get to a Woodlark.

Wood Warbler the first we've seen in the garden.

White Wagtail still feeding young.

and very lucky to get this shot of one of the Cuckoos

With very little rain of late all the Hirundines including these Swallows and

House Martin (an addition to the list) are taking advantage of this single puddle for nest building.

The cat with 'no name'! Estonian for cat is kisser, so this one is simply referred to a Big Kisser.

a quick look around the Farm House interior.

Fish & Eggs in waiting.

Ille cooking the little fish - both plates are fish, I'm wondering who's going to eat them all?

Bedroom cum Lounge.

Bedroom cum Bedroom.

Some of these keys came from Country Furniture, 'second hand' shop in Fortuneswell, Portland.

All our yesterdays.

Coffees ready!