Filma DVD par Slīteres dzīvniekiem

Projekts "Baltijas Zaļā josta" beidzas šī gada janvārī. Kā atvadu sveicienu, projekta akcijas "Vērosim dabu kopā!" komanda sarūpējusi 20 minūšu filmu par Slīteres nacionālā parka dzīvniekiem. Ekrānā notiekošo komentē mūsu pieredzējušais, Latvijas dabas mīļotāju lokā pazīstamais zoologs Vilnis Skuja. Īsfilmas varoņi ir Latvijas dabā mītošie dzīvnieki. Redzēsiet vilkus, meža cūkas, āpšus, lapsas, jenotsuņus, strauta nēģus, ūdensstrazdus, vistu vanagu un rubeņus. Šis disks varētu būt noderīgs gan skolēnu, gan pieaugušo auditorijas izglītošanai par savvaļas dzīvnieku uzvedību.

Projekta laikā kopš 2009. gada esam guvuši lielisku pieredzi dzīvnieku filmēšanā  dabiskā vidē, netraucējot, neprovocējot tos. Akcija "Vērosim dabu kopā!" beigusies, tāpēc ir laiks atskatīties uz padarīto. Skatītāji gan šajā vietnē, gan visā pasaulē populārajā vietnē www.youtube.com, kur esam izveidojuši savu kanālu http://www.youtube.com/SlitereNationalPark vērojuši un vērtējuši kopumā 43 mūsu klipus. Kanāls reģistrējis tur par 27000 skatījumus. Vispopulārākais izrādījies video "Briedis Baltijas jūrā" - 3200 skatījumi. Visinteresantākais video - "Vilki pie medījuma", jo spējis noturēt skatītāju uzmanību nemainīgi augstu visu klipa laiku - divas minūtes.

Turpiniet vērot tiešsaistē skatu no Slīteres bākas, kas atrodas 100 metrus virs jūras līmeņa uz Slīteres nacionālā parka mežiem un jūru, kas redzama pie apvāršņa!

The Goshawk

Watch how Goshawk Accipiter gentilis feed on deer hunted down by wolf. It is dangerous to sit on the ground so hawk keeps looking around while ripping off pieces of meat.

Goshawk is common bird in Latvia however since the first half of 20^th century the number has decreased. From 1901 till 1944 people could get money for each shot or caught Goshawk. It was considered ‘hazardous’ because it mostly feed on chickens. 

Ornithologists believe that the number has decreased because in the year 1990 large collective farms (kolkhoz) were liquidated. By the farms always gathered pigeons and other birds Goshawk feed on. There was at least one Goshawk on farm that lived near it. After farm liquidation Goshawk too had to find other feeding places, this is why they can be seen in cities hunting pigeons, crows and other birds.

For now in Latvia nest 2000-3000 pairs while 4000-5000 spend winter here.  The difference is because birds come to Latvia from north and east to spend winter.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ8gyCwp66A

The Brook Lamprey

The Brook Lamprey is quite common in Latvia, however, you may spot it only in the beginning of summer when they gather at spawning areas. Brook Lamprey presence indicates water quality as they do not live in polluted water. There are still enough clean water bodies in Latvia, while in West Europe this species is rare and specially protected.
The Brook Lamprey is the smallest of all three lamprey species found in Latvia (it rarely reaches 20 cm) and is different from River Lamprey and Sea Lamprey. Brook Lamprey is non-parasitic so they do not feed on other fish. It never travels and spends all his 6-7 year long life in one brook. Moreover, Brook Lamprey spends most of his life as ammocoete buried in mud. Here they feed on detritus – remains of plants and animals. The River Lamprey almost never leaves the sandy or sludgy riverbed. Ammocoete doesn’t have eyes so it may be mistaken for a worm. Only in the end of their life they turn into adults, alimentary canal reduces so they stop feeding and put all their strength into the last great event – spawn. It is interesting that ammocoete is always bigger than adult Brook Lamprey. Sometimes they spawn immature and it’s called neothenia. They start spawning at the beginning of summer when water gets warmer. Spawning site is pebbly overfall that is fixed up by male lampreys pulling some stones away making small fossula for spawning. Fertilization happens when male suck up to females head and their bodies intertwine.
People do not use this lamprey subspecies for food as the secretion from gland within its skin is poisonous and the poison does not decompose in high temperatures.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZjj2TfRu3M

The Water Vole

The species name water vole from Latin Arvicola terrestris can be translated as „inhabitant of the ground” and really this animal spends most of its life in burrows as a typical rodent. As the species name suggests it is connected with water. However, in late autumn this small animal can wander far away and settle down at very dry potato field or orchard. Here they dig burrows like moles and those who do not know may mistake water vole burrows with molehills. Molehills usually are more or less round while water voles burrows are oblong. At steep slopes vole make a den in a burrow while at lower places they build it in grass. In winter the den is made under snow and after it melts down it can be found as round grass ball lying about in a meadow.  In front of their burrow water vole make something like a lawn – they make a small area with shortly gnawed grass. On the bank or grass shrub they develop “dining tables” where they gather and eat food they’ve found nearby. When the tasty part has been eaten the vapid parts are left behind and develop a layer.

In natural habitats they feed on reed and yellow water-lily rootstock, rush, arrowheads, sedge seeds, etc. Sometimes they catch some insects, snails or small fish. In good circumstances they mate several times a year and sometimes have up to 10 baby voles. At some places they may do damage to gardens if they are too much, but we should not forget that water vole is a very important part of ecosystem. They develop burrows that are used by different insects, amphibians and small mammals. They are valuable food for different animals. Using modern technologies we may decrease the harm done by Water Voles, but by exterminating these animals we would cause serious damage to nature and lose very significant and interesting species.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fcNVX2t1EM

Ūdeņu strupaste

Ūdeņu strupastes jeb ūdensžurkas sugas nosaukums Arvicola terrestris tulkojumā no latīņu valodas nozīmē „zemes apdzīvotājs”, un tiešām lielāko daļu mūža tā pavada pašas raktās pazemes alās un ir tipisks grauzēju kārtas pārstāvis. Kā jau sugas nosaukumā minēts, tai ir vistiešākais sakars ar ūdeņiem. Tiesa, vēlā rudenī un ziemā tā mēdz aizklīst tālu prom un bieži apmetas pavisam ‘sausā’ kartupeļu lauka malā vai ābeļdārzā.   Te tā pazemē rok alas kā kurmis un nezinošs cilvēks ūdensžurkas rakumus viegli  sajauks ar kurmja rakumiem. Kurmja izmestā zemes kaudze ir regulāra, vairāk vai mazāk apaļa, kamēr ūdensžurkas rakums parasti garenstiepts. Stāvos krastos midzeni iekārto alās, zemākās vietās veido lodveida midzeņus  grīšļu ciņos. Ziemā migas atrodas zem sniega un pēc sniega nokušanas tās kā apaļas zāļu bumbas mētājas pļavā. Ūdeņu strupastes alas priekšā „iekopj” mauriņu, pēc kura var pazīt, ka šo alu apdzīvo ūdensžurka- tās izveido laukumiņu ar īsi apgrauztu zāli. Krastā un uz grīšļu ceriem atrodami „barības galdiņi” – vietas, uz kurieni no tuvākās apkārtnes tiek nesta barība  un notiesāta. Pēc garšīgās daļas apēšanas negaršīgā daļa tiek pamesta un izveido klājienu.

Dabiskajos biotopos barojas ar niedru un dzelteno lēpju sakneņiem, meldriem, bultenēm, grīšļu sēklām utt. No dzīvnieku valsts barības biežāk uzēd pa kukainim, gliemim, mazai zivtiņai. Labvēlīgos apstākļos vairojas vairākas reizes gadā, metienā var būt arī 10 mazuļi. Vietumis, savairojoties ievērojami kaitē dārzniekiem, tomēr nedrīkstam aizmirst, ka ūdeņu strupaste ir ļoti svarīga ekosistēmas sastāvdaļa. Tā ar savu darbību veido alas, kuras kā slēptuvi izmanto kukaiņi, abinieki un sīkie zīdītāji. Ūdensžurkai ir nepārvērtējama vieta plēsīgo zīdītāju un putnu ēdienkartē. Izmantojot mūsdienīgas tehnoloģijas, varam samazināt ūdensžurku kaitīgo ietekmi uz lauksaimniecību, bet iznīcinot ūdensžurku pavisam, mēs neizbēgami nodarītu būtisku kaitējumu dabai un zaudētu ļoti nozīmīgu un interesantu sugu.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fcNVX2t1EM

Vistu vanags

Video materiālā pavērojiet, kā vistu vanags Accipiter gentilis mielojas pie vilku nomedīta brieža. Uz zemes sēdēt ir bīstami, tāpēc vanags nemitīgi raugās apkārt, veikli raujot gaļas gabaliņus,

Vistu vanags Latvijā ir samērā parasts putns, taču to skaits ir ievērojami mazāks nekā 20. gs. pirmajā pusē. No 1901. līdz 1944. gadam par nošautu vai lamatās noķertu vistu vanagu maksāja pat prēmijas. Vistu vanags tika uzskatīts par „kaitīgu”, jo ir regulārs lauku viensētu „ciemiņš”.

Ornitologi uzskata, ka vistu vanagu skaits samazinājies, jo 1990. gados likvidēja kolhozu lopu fermas. Pie fermām vienmēr uzturējās putni, kurus barībā izmantoja vistu vanags, piemēram, mājas baloži. Caurmērā uz katru fermu bijis pa vistu vanagam, kurš tur barojies un tuvumā dzīvojis. Pēc fermu likvidācijas arī vistu vanagiem nācās meklēt citas barošanās vietas, tādēļ mūsdienās tas nereti novērojams pilsētu teritorijās, veikli medījot baložus, vārnas un citus putnus.

Šobrīd Latvijā ligzdo 2000-3000 pāri, taču ziemo 4000–5000 putnu. Tas izskaidrojams ar to, ka pārziemot uz Latviju atlido gan ziemeļu, gan austrumu populāciju putni.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ8gyCwp66A

Strauta nēģis

Strauta nēģis ir samērā plaši izplatīts Latvijas teritorijā, bet pamanīt to var vienīgi vasaras sākumā, kad tas pulcējas nārsta vietās. Strauta nēģis ir tīra ūdens indikators, piesārņotos ūdeņos nedzīvo. Latvijā vēl netrūkst tīru, nepiesārņotu ūdeņu. Rietumeiropā kļuvis rets un ir īpaši aizsargājama suga.

Strauta nēģis ir mazākais no Latvijā sastopamajām trim nēģiem (tas reti sasniedz 20 cm garumu) un atšķiras no upes un jūras nēģiem ar to, ka strauta nēģa dzīves ciklā nav pusparazitārās stadijas, kuras laikā upes un jūras nēģi piesūcas dzīvām zivīm un pārtiek no to ķermeņa šķidrumiem un muskuļiem. Strauta nēģis nekur neceļo un visu savu max. 6-7 gadus ilgo mūžu pavada vienā un tai pašā strautā. Pie tam, strauta nēģis mūža lielāko daļu pavada kāpura stadijā ieracies strauta dūņās. Te tas barojas filtrējot detrītu, kuru veido augu un dzīvnieku atliekas. Upes nēģis smilšaino vai dūņaino grunti tikpat kā nekad nepamet. Nēģa kāpuram nav acu un tas viegli noturams par tārpu. Tikai mūža nogalē kāpurs pārvēršas pieaugušā stadijā, tam reducējas gremošanas trakts, nēģis pārstāj baroties un visi spēki tiek veltīti pēdējam lielajam (lielākajam notikumam nēģa mūžā) – nārstam. Interesanti, ka kāpuri vienmēr ir lielāki par pieaugušajiem. Reizēm nārsto nepieauguši - kāpura stadijā (neotēnija). Nārstot sāk vasaras sākumā, kad ūdens iesilst virs 15⁰C temperatūrai. Par nārsta vietu izvēlas oļainu straujteci, kuru tēviņi ‘labiekārto’, izvācot lielākus oļus un izveidojot nārsta bedrīti. Apaugļošana notiek tēviņam uz mirkli piesūcoties mātītes galvai un savijoties abiem ķermeņiem kopā.

Cilvēki strauta nēģi neēd, tāpēc, ka tā ādā esošo dziedzeru sekrēts ir indīgs un inde karsējot nesadalās.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZjj2TfRu3M

The Extraordinary Beaver

The Beaver is a rodent with unusual skill. It transforms the environment similarly to us humans making it suitable for its lifestyle. The Beaver build dams that hold up water creating water reservoirs. So it has the opportunity to access food and escape predators if necessary, because water is the only place beaver can feel safe. When on ground it can easily become pray of wolf or lynx. Its eyes are upwards and lifting head up and down it tries to smell approaching dangers. Under water its ears and nostrils close up and wide scaly tail is used as steering wheel. Sensing danger beaver dive while forcefully slapping the water with its broad tail creating great bang that can be heard over great distances and serves as a warning to beavers in the area. When calm it can dive very elegantly without making a sound. A beaver's teeth grow continuously as they wore down by chewing on wood.  Beaver is able to press its lips together behind its teeth to chew under water.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQe6RHb3sfM

The Bluethroat

The Bluethroat Luscinia svecica is very rare in Latvia. Even though it nests in almost all Europe and Asia, in Latvia it can be observed only during migration. Two of ten Bluethroat subspecies can be found in Latvia - White-spotted Bluethroat Luscinia svecica cyanecula and Red-spotted Bluethroat Luscinia svecica svecica.

What these birds need is an overgrown bank of pond, lake or river. In literature it is said that at the end of 19th century and beginning of the 20th century this species were seen regularly on the bushy isles of the Daugava River mouth, as it was near Jelgava. Nowadays the most common White-spotted Bluethroat nests regularly near Lubāna lake.

This time our film cast has had the luck to film Red-spotted Bluethroat. It moves around with small jumps showing great agility. This bird mostly live on the ground and takes longer flight only in emergency situation. It is said that bluethroats are very smart and has a good memory. If you ever try to catch it or cause any damage to it, it will stay away from people forever. They nest on the ground where they lay 6-7 eggs in mid May. Eggs hatch after two weeks. Male takes part in all activities regarding nesting and later both parents take care of their chicks.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31sGKYEvNAI

Symbols of nations in shallow ditch

People always have tried to adjust environment to their needs. Look around – how many things you see are not transformed and affected by human activities? We tried make fields, forests, and water courses easy of access and use. Forests became clearances, wetland were dike. In the video you see shallow ditch that is an appropriate habitat for different bird species.
People sing songs about birds, mimic them in dance, and even design of aircraft wings are made after bird wings. Countries in whole world nominate birds are their national bird out of respect for almost 50 years. In the movie we can see a few of them – White Wagtail Motacilla alba – national bird of Latvia, European Robin Erithacus rubecula – “royal bird” of Great Britain, Common Blackbird Turdus merula – symbol of Sweden. European Magpie Pica pica cousin Formosan Blue Magpie has been nominated the national bird of Taiwan, while other Korean Magpie is the symbol of South Korea. Only Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus for now is without “nationality”.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EYZ6UMYkGM

Nāciju simboli seklā grāvī

Cilvēki vienmēr ir centušies pielāgot apkārtējo vidi savām vajadzībām. Paverieties apkārt - cik no tā, ko redzat ir nepārveidots un cilvēku darbības rezultātā neietekmēts? Gan laukus, gan mežus, gan ūdensteces esam centušies veidot mums ērtāk pieejamus un izmantojamus. Meži pārtapa līdumos, mitraines nosusināja grāvji. Filmiņā redzams krūmiem aizaudzis, sekls grāvis – tieši šāda mākslīga ainava ir visnotaļ piemērota dzīvotne dažādām putnu sugām.

Putni visā Pasaulē saista cilvēku uzmanību, tos apdzied dziesmās, atdarina dejās, lidaparātos aizgūts putnu spārna dizains.  Aiz cieņas pret putniem jau teju 50 gadus visā Pasaulē valstis nominē  katra savu nacionālo putnu. Filmiņā redzam dažus no tiem  - balto cielavu Motacilla alba - Latvijas nacionālo putnu; sarkanrīklīti Erithacus rubecula - Lielbritānijas „karalisko putnu”;  melno meža strazdu Turdus merula - Zviedrijas simbolu un žagatu Pica pica, kuras Āzijas radiniece – Taivānas zilā žagata ir iecelta par Taivānas nacionālo putnu, taču cita - Korejas žagata ir Dienvidkorejas simbols. Vienīgi erickiņš Phoenicurus phoenicurus pagaidām ir bez „valsts piederības”.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EYZ6UMYkGM

Zilrīklīte - Latvijas faunas retums!

Zilrīklīte Luscinia svecica ir Latvijas putnu faunas retums. Lai arī ligzdo teju visā Eiropā un Āzijā, pie mums tā novērojama galvenokārt migrāciju laikā. No pasaulē zināmajām 10 zilrīklīšu pasugām, Latvijā konstatētas divas – Dienvidu zilrīklīte Luscinia svecica cyanecula un Ziemeļu zilrīklīte Luscinia svecica svecica.

Ar krūmiem aizaugušu upju, ezeru un dīķu malas ir zilrīklīšu stihija. Literatūrā minēts, ka 19.gs. beigās un 20.gs. sākumā Daugavgrīvas apkārtnes krūmainajās salās šī suga bijusi parasta. Tāpat Jelgavas tuvumā tā regulāri novērota. Mūsdienās biežāk novērojamā – Dienvidu zilrīklīte regulāri ligzdo Lubāna ezera apkārtnē.

Šoreiz, „filmēšanas grupai” ir laimējies uzņemt Ziemeļu zilrīklīti. Pavērojiet, kā tā pārvietojas lēcieniem, taču to dara ar apbrīnojamu veiklību. Lido nelabprāt un garākus pārlidojumus veic tikai ārkārtas gadījumos. Literatūrā minēts, ka zilrīklītes apveltītas ar sevišķu gudrību un labu atmiņu. Ja reizi būsiet mēģinājis to sagūstīt vai kā citādi apdraudēt, tā uz visiem laikiem no cilvēkiem turēsies pa gabalu. Zilrīklītes ligzdu vij uz zemes, kur jau maija vidū tiek iedētas 6-7 olas. Olas tiek perētas apmēram divas nedēļas. Līdzās mātītei, perēšanas procesā piedalās arī tēviņš. Vēlāk, cālēnus baro abi vecāki.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31sGKYEvNAI

Neparastais grauzējs bebrs

Bebrs ir grauzējs ar neparastu spēju. Tas līdzīgi cilvēkam pārveido vidi, padarot to piemērotu sev. Bebrs būvē dambjus, kuri aiztur ūdeni, veidojot ūdenskrātuves. Tā dzīvnieks iegūst iespēju piekļūt barībai un vajadzības gadījumā izbēgt no plēsēju zobiem, jo tikai ūdenī bebrs jūtas drošs. Atrodoties uz sauszemes tas viegli var kļūt par upuri vilkam vai lūsim. Bebra acu skatiens vērsts augšup un cilājot purnu augšup lejup bebrs cenšas saost tuvojošās briesmas. Ienirstot bebra ausis un nāsis aizveras, platā zvīņainā aste peldot un nirstot kalpo kā stūre. Sajutis briesmas, bebrs ienirstot bliež ar asti pa ūdeni, tā radot pamatīgu plunkšķi, kas dzirdams samērā tālu un brīdina citus bebrus. Savā nodabā bebrs ienirst ar elegantu vieglumu gandrīz bez trokšņa. Bebra priekšzobi aug visu mūžu, jo graužot koksni tie nemitīgi dilst. Bebrs spēj sakļaut lūpas aiz priekšzobiem, lai varētu grauzt zem ūdens.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQe6RHb3sfM

Capital of Black Grouse

Black Grouse lek in Bažu bog of Slitere National Park is the biggest in Europe. In 2009 there were counted 66 black grouse males together at one place. Landscape and strict protection of the area made it possible for this place to gain the status of Black Grouse capital.
Black Grouse mates in early spring. Males – cocks gather at their lek spots from wide area. Here they occupy their territory and protect it from the others. Boundary posts are small trees, grass clusters and small knolls. Most valuable territories are in the middle of the lek. As everyone tries to get as close as possible to the centre of the lek, territories of each cock there is smaller, but further away from the centre bigger. Males hiss, utter mating-calls, show off their splendid feathers and threaten each other with special warning call. And all this is because of humble females. When they show up, males become much more active to gain female attention as they are to choose male to mate with. Among all cocks only few of them will be the lucky ones. When fertilized, hens find a place to nest and care about chicks alone. Cocks continue lekking while hens start nesting. If first nesting fails, hen can go back to the lek and mate again.

The Adder

The Adder is Latvia’s only venomous snake. You may meet this snake in early spring when ground is still frozen. This one is male adder. Males usually are blue-grey but females are brown, but at some places  more than a half are almost black.  The Adder is phyletic new species, this is way sometimes you may see adder in very different colours, for example, half of the snake is light while other is dark. The adder warn for their presence loudly hissing. It is not advisable to tease this snake as it need strenght for mating that take place in spring. You have to remember that adder is not willing to bite everyone that cross its path because they have to use a lot of energy to create the venom and it takes several days to renew it.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEZZztc9d5g

Wild wolves at their prey

Wolves managed to hunt down one-eyed red deer. Its right eye had poured out and injury healed. We can only guess how the deer lost its eye. It is almost impossible to accidentally run onto some branch as deer eyes are protected by long tactile hair that wars animal about danger. A lot easier to injure an eye is while running with great speed through forest; however it may have happened because of splinter from a bullet. Anyway, it is a lot easier for wolves to hunt down one-eyed deer because its eyes are located on both sides of the head and so the deer is not able to react on the wolves attack from the blind side.
Wolves tear up the stomach and eat the hot bowel. That is how they get warm food. Wolf pack is not able to eat the whole deer at once so they may come back later. This time they smell presence of humans and that is why they are very careful. Male wolf is braver and dares to approach the game. Presence of ravens make wolves a bit calmer but at the same ravens are annoying and that is why wolves time to time try to catch them showing who’s the authority. Sometimes people call ravens “the wolf birds”, as they cooperate with wolves. When the birds have found something, they signalise to the wolves by flying around above the game and croaking. In their turn ravens react to howling. Ravens know that wolves will leave something for them too. Cranes that obviously are aware of the presence of these wolves do not seem to be bothered. Female wolf shows up. It has smaller head and slender muzzle. It is possible that the she-wolf is pregnant as it has round stomach. At the moment alpha couple lives separately from others and she-wolf decides where to make a den.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhyCsyFp1H8

Vilki pie medījuma

Vilkiem izdevies nomedīt vienacainu briežu bulli. Tā labā acs bija iztecējusi un ievainojums sadzijis. Kā briedis aci bija zaudējis, varam tikai minēt. Mežā nejauši uzdurties zaram ir pagrūti, jo brieža aci sargā gari taustmati, pieskāriens tiem savlaicīgi brīdina zvēru par briesmām. Vieglāk aci savainot lielā ātrumā brāžoties cauri mežam, nav izslēgts, ka ievainojums iegūts no zaros izšķīdušas medību lodes šķembas. Lai nu kā, vienacains briedis ir vilkiem vieglāk nomedījams, jo briedim acis novietotas galvas sānos un neredzēt ar vienu aci nozīmē, ka briedis no aklās puses savlaicīgi nespēj reaģēt uz vilka uzbrukumu. Vilki nomedītajam dzīvniekam pārplēš vēderu un mielojas ar karstajām, aukstajā gaisā kūpošajām iekšām. Mēs parasti neiedomājamies, ka vilki tā tiek pie silta ēdiena un tieši tāpēc ir tik kāri uz nomedītā zvēra iekšām. Vilku bars nekad nespēj apēst visu nomedīto briedi, tāpēc nākošajās dienās mēdz atgriezties pie medījuma atliekām. Šoreiz pie vilku medījuma bijuši cilvēki, te jūtamā cilvēka smaka liek būt ļoti uzmanīgiem. Drošākais ir vilku tēviņš, kurš sadūšojas pienākt pie medījuma. Uzmanīgo kraukļu klātbūtne vilkus nomierina, bet reizēm kaitina, tāpēc vilki pie izdevības liek manīt, kurš ir īstais saimnieks un padzen kraukļus no medījuma. Kraukļus reizēm mēdz dēvēt par ‘vilku putniem’, jo tie ar vilkiem savdabīgi sadarbojas . Kraukļi mēdz norādīt vilkiem medījuma atrašanās vietu, lidinoties virs medījuma un ik pa laikam ieķērcoties, savukārt kraukļi reaģē uz vilku gaudošanu. Kraukļi zina, ka pēc vilku maltītes tie vienmēr atradīs bagātīgi klātu galdu. Netālu staigājošās dzērves, vilku klātbūtne pārlieku nesatrauc, kaut arī tās nepārprotami reaģē uz vilkiem. Parādās kuce. Kucei galvas apjoms ir mazāks, tās purns slaidāks. Vilcene, iespējams, ir grūsna, par to liecina tās apaļais vēders. Šajā laikā ‘alfa’ pāris dzīvo atsevišķi un midzeņa izvēlē noteicēja ir kuce.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhyCsyFp1H8

Roe deer in winter

Roe deer is the smallest deer in Latvia. In winter roes feed on small branches, tree and fern buds and sometimes they manage to find browse of caulescent plants. If they can’t find anything else, they eat also last year’s grass and hay. Snow is a great obstacle for roes in finding food. Even 30-40 cm thick snow is a nuisance as they have to scratch the snow off to get to the food. Imagine how you would feel, if you had to clear snow with haft of the spade instead of spade itself. Roes have very thin legs that are not suitable for such work, so it spends too much energy. To spend winter successfully it is very important that the snow cover doesn’t stay too long. Crust is extremely dangerous as roes cut up their legs.
This winter was quite good for the roes as the snow was frozen and very strong so animals were able to walk across it. As everything is covered with ice they can easily access osiers growing by ponds and other water body. If they have the possibility, they are eager to visit graveyards, where they can find different coniferous trees and cut flowers. People usually are not very happy about that.
Orchards are another place where roes can find something to eat. Instead of eating bark they mostly choose browse and buds of fruit trees and berry bushes. Sometimes people leave hay, carrots and beets for animals to eat. But before you left something for them in your garden, you have to understand that roes tend to look for food close to settlements not only in winter but in summer too. Roes are risking their life by coming to villages as they can get in a car accident, they have to watch out from dogs and sometimes poachers.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C444UIlxZN8
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVUEAetZgv4&feature=related

Deer in orchard

Harsh winter for red deer is quite a challenge as our climate is not very suitable for them especially because of snow covered winters. Now, when the snow has frozen, deer can easily walk over it and escape wolves or dog attack. Red deer food in summer mainly is different caulescent plants while in winter they feed on small bushes, tree browse and bark. If the snow is thin, they can scratch it off to feed on lichens, but if it is thick and frozen they usually can’t get through it. Sallow, buckthorn, aspen tree, birch, juniper, pine and fir …. Branches, needles and bark –used are everything. Red deer is a ruminant animal and as one it has complicated digestive system with four-chamber stomach that helps digest cellulose found in very fibrous forage. They eat mostly browse that is full of proteins and sugars, however, in comparison with summer this food helps only to survive. Cultivated plants are especially nourishing, as they are softer and succulent than wild trees, so deer come to garden if it is possible. Maybe one of the reasons is their anatomical feature – they lack upper incisors, instead having a tough pad at the front of their upper jaw. With the toothless upper jaw they press the branch against toothed lower jaw and pull it off.

This deer knows that it is very dangerous for him to be in the garden, so it stops eating time to time to listen. Stags have antlers that make reaching the highest branches of the tree complicated, as they tend to stuck, however, hinds and their fawns don’t have this problem. Soon stags will shed their antlers. Old stags shed their antlers in mid March, while young ones only in May.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voRC3v0AYtw

Deer in orchard

Harsh winter for red deer is quite a challenge as our climate is not very suitable for them especially because of snow covered winters. Now, when the snow has frozen, deer can easily walk over it and escape wolves or dog attack. Red deer food in summer mainly is different caulescent plants while in winter they feed on small bushes, tree browse and bark. If the snow is thin, they can scratch it off to feed on lichens, but if it is thick and frozen they usually can’t get through it. Sallow, buckthorn, aspen tree, birch, juniper, pine and fir …. Branches, needles and bark –used are everything. Red deer is a ruminant animal and as one it has complicated digestive system with four-chamber stomach that helps digest cellulose found in very fibrous forage. They eat mostly browse that is full of proteins and sugars, however, in comparison with summer this food helps only to survive. Cultivated plants are especially nourishing, as they are softer and succulent than wild trees, so deer come to garden if it is possible. Maybe one of the reasons is their anatomical feature – they lack upper incisors, instead having a tough pad at the front of their upper jaw. With the toothless upper jaw they press the branch against toothed lower jaw and pull it off.This deer knows that it is very dangerous for him to be in the garden, so it stops eating time to time to listen. Stags have antlers that make reaching the highest branches of the tree complicated, as they tend to stuck, however, hinds and their fawns don’t have this problem. Soon stags will shed their antlers. Old stags shed their antlers in mid March, while young ones only in May.