2013

Let's watch the birds returning to Latvia!

The meadows and forests of Vidzeme, Latgale and Sēlija are still covered by snow. However, days are becoming longer and warmer. The spring sun, wind and rain melt away the deep snow. Floodwaters and the trills of spring birds also indicate the presence of spring.

Wintering birds were the first ones to begin mating rituals. Golden eagles, white-tailed eagles, ravens, spotted nutcrackers and crossbills are already nesting, wood grouse males are scratching snow with their wings in mating areas. The delicate and silent mating whistles of hazel grouses can also be heard in forests, black grouses are out and about with their mating songs. The loud whistles of Eurasian nuthatches are resounding in gardens and parks. Yellowhammers, tits and grey-headed woodpeckers are singing songs while other species of woodpeckers are hammering dry tree trunks. Crows and magpies are making nests.

Even though spring has arrived two weeks later than usual, migratory birds are already returning from the warmer regions of Europe and Africa. The first cranes, white and black storks, larks, lapwings, robins, wagtails, Eurasian blackbirds and European starlings, chaffinches, wheatears, common buzzards, marsh and hen harriers have arrived in Latvia. Lonely lesser-spotted eagles can be found atop trees near forest edges. They are waiting for mating partners to indulge in romantic encounters and begin making nests. It is possible that Latvia's most famous lesser-spotted eagles - Mētra and Mačo – will soon appear live on the Internet.

Those birds, that have already returned to Latvia, seek food in snow-free meadows, fields and road ditches. They are particularly active in the vicinity of water. Goldeneyes and mergansers are swimming in couples in ice-free rivers and brooks. They are looking for suitable tree hollows to begin nesting. Bean geese, greater white-fronted geese, tundra swans and white storks are seeking food in flooded meadows. Even though Latvia's lakes are still clad in ice, grey herons, great cormorants, herring gulls and greylag geese can be observed in their nesting areas.

Binoculars are recommended for birdwatching and determining species. Careful watchers will notice colourful rings on the necks of geese and swans. Telescopes, or cameras with a telescopic lense, are required to read them.

Best of luck birdwatching!

Uģis Bergmanis, JSC “Latvia's State Forests” environmental expert