On a slow day there is time also to check the biodiversity at Cape Põõsaspea. If it’s warm with light south-easterly wind then insects are aplenty. When it rains they may come into the cabin. Here are some examples: A female Meadow Scorpionfly (Panorpa vulgaris) watching migration through the window, a carrion beetle (Silpha carinata) trying to slip away from the photographer and a pair of Robber Flies (Neoitamus socius) making more Robber Flies.

After a hard day’s watch the weary worker mounts a bike and starts the grinding climb towards the base camp at Mountain Village (Bergsby, 10m asl.). You may need regular breaks along the way to catch your breath but breaks are amply rewarded with the lush vegetation lining the road. There are hundreds of orchids, the most numerous being the Royal Helleborine (Epipactis atrorubens) and the Common Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii). Other flowers include the Moon Carrot (Seseli libanotis) and the Woundwort (Anthyllis vulneraria) – both equally interesting for someone from Finland.

For every bird species there are a hundred other life-forms growing, creeping and crawling nearby. It can be truly exciting to learn how woefully little one knows of all these. With a camera – any kind of camera and especially with near-shots – wonderful visions open up. TiP

Panorpa Silpha carinata Neoitamus Epipactis Dachtyloriza Seseli