Dear Friendas,

In Virtsu, West Estonia about 25 km S from Põgari-Sassi (Matsalu) 16,290
passing cranes (S -- N) were counted by Mati Martinson and Sampsa Cairenius
on 27 September. This is again a new day record for Estonia in one
observation point. Also in other areas in Estonia there was a nice migration
in 27 September. At Elistvere willage (near Tartu city) 200 cranes in 5
flocks were migrating between 12:40 and 13:30 to SSE (probably starting from
Lahemaa cathering area in North Estonia) in total counted by myselve. The
altitude of migrating flocks was estimated to be nearly 1 km. In this way
probably some 15, 000 cranes were migrating in Estonia in total.

Regards,
Aivar Leito
Estonia

-----Original Message-----
From: Antti Karlin [mailto:antkarl@...]
Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2008 8:28 AM
To: Aivar Leito
Cc: Gruidae@...; grus-grus@...; linnuhuvilised
Subject: Cranes in Estonia and Finland


Dear Crane Frieds,

Yesterday morning (27.9.2008) I counted 9700 cranes (this is minimum)
between 7.00 - 8.00 am flying to NE and E from Põgasi-Sassi area in Matsaly
Bay in Estonia. And it left many cranes on the area, because during 10.00 -
10.20 am flighted about 200 cranes from this area to the fields to eat. But
in Martna and Lihula fields I and my friend founded only 30 cranes during
10.15 - 17.00. I estimate that in Põgasi-Sassi have been yesterday morning
probably 10 000 - 13 000 cranes.

In Finland in Hanko bird station (southern point of Finland) it have seen on
24.9. 6890 cranes and 25.9. 5472 cranes, In many places in South Finland it
have seen over 5000 cranes on 24. - 25.9. (record in Kalvola / near
Hämeenlinna 10 842 cranes).

See also Finnish stellite cranes - first crane already in Hungary -
http://personal.inet.fi/koti/mattisj/kurki/engl_index.html

Regards Antti Karlin, Finland