A nest of hibernating
laane/kuklased (wood ants) in Glehni Park in the Tallinn suburb of Nõmme last Tuesday on
Vabariigi Aastapäev – the 97th anniversary of Estonian independence. A KUKLANE (Latin
Formica) is a type of large
siplegas (ant) native to Eurasia, which prefers coniferous forests such as the sandy
nõmm (pine heath) of Nõmme. Their nests are constructed mainly of
männi/okkad – pine needles. During the warm months, the tops of such nests are a bustle of activity, but currently there is complete silence. Some snow here and there, icy patches and temperatures dipping just above and below zero. Nothing like Canada is experiencing. Currently, there is significant snow on the ground only in the very N-E corner of Eesti and no ice roads this year. Photo and text: Riina Kindlam, Tallinn
