Day 1. Trip to Belarus, Zvaniec marsh
In the first series of our video diary we tell about the beginning of the journey – how we traveled from Lithuania to Zvaniec wetland … read more
Go on a Journey together with Aquatic Warbler babies!
You can join the journey of the Aquatic Warbler babies from Belarus to Lithuania in 2019 by watching our video diary. Shortened video series are now available in English! I our video stories you will get to know how all expedition took place, what challenges we faced, what joyful and nervous moments we had. Join our unique journey!
In 2019 the second stage of Aquatic Warbler translocation took place. 50 juveniles were translocated from the biggest Aquatic Warbler population in Zvaniec mire, in Belarus to small and diminishing population Zuvintas, in Lithuania. It was done believing that after wintering in Africa the translocated birds will come back to the their new homeland in Lithuania. In 2019 a monitoring took place when trying to figure out how translocated birds from 2018 succeeded to find their way home to Zuvintas. Read about first results of translocation from 2018.
Video stories
Day 1. We are preparing for the team’s and birds’ welcoming in Žuvintas
While part of the team takes care of the little birds in Belarus and prepares for a very demanding trip, the rest of our team … read more
Day 2. Searching and caring for nests
The second day of the journey. The translocation of aquatic warbler juveniles begins well before the real transportation of birds. First of all, ornithologists settle … read more
Day 3. Caring for the nestlings and the journey to Lithuania
From early morning to late evening. From sunrise to the sunset. That’s how long it takes to feed our juveniles. Before the sunset we fed … read more
Day 4. Nestlings’ first day in Lithuania
After a 12-hour journey, the baby birds and our team reached Žuvintas. The juveniles were carefully examined by ornithologist Vitalij, who has many years of … read more
Day 5. Raising the chicks
Growing up the baby birds requires a lot of work. They eat a lot, so most of the time our team prepares a variety of … read more
Day 6. Why should we protect the aquatic warbler?
The juveniles are successfully growing, successfully asking for food, and the little sick bird is getting better. Today we talk about why we need to … read more
Day 7. Raising the nestlings and observing insects
Some of the chicks are already jumping in cages, some – in boxes, but they are already trying to escape, especially when they are looking … read more
Day 8. The birds need food and sunlight
The chicks are growing very fast and many of them have already been moved from small boxes to larger cages. The birds loudly demand food … read more
Day 9. The chicks’ behaviour
Baby-birds are growing very fast. There is only one family left in the small box. All the other juveniles are already moved to the cages … read more
Day 10. Quick growth and searching for female aquatic warblers
All nests have already been moved from small boxes to the cages. How fast the birds grow! In this video we briefly recall that extraordinary … read more
Day 11. Searching for female aquatic warblers and setting up the aviaries
We continue to search for females with our Belarusian colleagues. We are pleased to confirm that we have found 11 returned birds out of 49 … read more
Day 12. Ringing the birds
In the morning, Belarusian colleagues continued their search for aquatic warbler females, and in the evening they ringed the birds with special rings. More about … read more
Day 13. Early morning start and protection from predators
In the early morning of Midsummer day, we make a salad for the birds. For the last time, we discuss the situation in Zuvintas with … read more
Day 15. Blood tests
Today dr. Vaidas Palinauskas took the blood samples of translocated Aquatic Warblers. Our team also weighed the birds. Blood will be used to determine the … read more
Days 16-18. Moving birds to the aviaries, and open house day
In these days, preparations were being made to move the baby-birds to outdoor aviaries in the fenmire and for weekend events. After some extremely windy … read more
Days 19-20. Volunteers from Šilutė
Volunteers help us a lot during the translocation of Aquatic Warblers. As many as 6 girls from Šilutė Vydūnas Gymnasium and two biology teachers helped … read more
Days 21-22. Volunteer Akvilė and a colleague from Germany
Although the birds are already in the fenmire, the care of the juveniles is intensive. Volunteers are helping us a lot. Akvilė is one of … read more
Day 23. Praying mantis and life in the marshes
The taking care of the aquatic warbler babies is full of surprises and discoveries. This morning in the insect-tent we found a praying mantis in … read more
Days 24-25. First aquatic warblers are released into the wild
In the evening before, we prepared the avaries for the release of the baby-birds by moving the reed wall to the other side in order … read more
Day 26. Sharing our experience and releasing the last of the birds
For few days another German colleague – Dr. Cosima Tegetmeyer is visiting us. She tries to get all the experience and know-how our team gained … read more
Day 31. The last day. Saying goodbye for the birds and future plans
The inauguration of the new President of the Republic of Lithuania is taking place and we are symbolically leaving the fenmire. This is where a … read more
People who shared their experience with you
Rita Griniene
I can’t wait to go on a journey with you. This is very exciting adventure, full of passion and various emotions. I will try to be your ears and eyes.
Egle Ruskute
The babie’s journey causes very strong and indelible emotions that you want to share. It is hard to describe the feelings in words, so I hope that video stories will be a great tool to do that. Let’s laugh, cry, let’s have fun and worry for the babies together.
Moments from the translocation in 2018
In 2018 the first stage of translocation took place. 50 Aquatic Warbler babies were transferred from Belarus to Lithuania. It was the first ever experience, therefore it was very exciting and challenging.
