KERLI - adult female, Pärnu County

[marika.solo]

April 14
Hello everyone

change - today path



arrival area: Pietrzyki - a village in the administrative district of Gmina Pisz, within Pisz County, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, in northern POLAND



If everything goes well, it's 2 days to her nesting area

[marika.solo]

[marika.solo]

April 15
Hello everyone

no biiirdmap update for Kerli



edit (16.04)

[marika.solo]

April 16
Hello everyone

change - today path



arrival area:
Miknolesai, Alytus District Municipality, Lithuania

[marika.solo]

(6457 - 6273 =) 184 km in 2 days

[marika.solo]

April 17
Hello everyone

Gineitiškės, Trakai District Municipality, Lithuania
weather: Partly cloudy 9°C

today path - approx. 22 km

[marika.solo]

KERLI: on 17.04 she spent the night approx. about 400–450 km away from her home in Pärnu county. Despite today's northerly headwind, her experience and high 'migratory drive' should push her forward. While today might be a tough grind through Lithuania, we expect her to pick up the pace once she crosses into Latvia. Estimated Arrival: If the weather remains stable, we are looking at a potential arrival at the streamed nest between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

birdmap data 16.04 (update - data 17.04 only for Mats)

[marika.solo]

April 18
Hello everyone

change



arrival area
Mazzalvītes purvs - Vērtūži, Zalve Parish, Aizkraukle Municipality, Latvia

[marika.solo]

Hello everyone

birdmap update on 19.04 - data 18.04





Mazzalvītes purvs is a nature reserve established in 1977, located in Zalve Parish, Aizkraukle Municipality, northwest of Vērtūži.
The reserve was created within the Mazzalvīte bog, which is a degraded raised bog surrounded by swampy forests and fragments of boreal forests; transition mires are also present. Protected plant and invertebrate species have been identified in the reserve, as well as nine species from the EU Birds Directive, such as the hazel grouse, black grouse, and western capercaillie. The waters are inhabited by European bullheads and brook lampreys. (Nature 2000 area) (https://lv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazzalv%C ... s_liegums))
https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/mazzalvites-purvs

This description highlights why Kerli chose this spot for her last major break. It is a rich, protected ecosystem that likely offered her a safe haven and perhaps a final decent meal before crossing into Estonia. The presence of specialized bird species (like the capercaillie) confirms it is high-quality habitat, even if the bog itself is classified as "degraded."
It’s the perfect "airport lounge" for a migrating black stork!

[marika.solo]