Finland
2010 Tour Report 24th- 29th May ![]() |
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24th May The day finally dawned for the inaugural Gone Birding tour to Finland to depart. Much biting of nails had occurred the previous week as a certain volcano (Eyjafjallajokull) many miles away in Iceland had continued to erupt and spew ash high into the atmosphere, grounding most of the airlines in northern Europe. Luckily the volcano had settled down slightly, but more importantly SW winds were blowing the ash away, although up to the last minute we were unsure if we would be delayed or have our flight canceled. A long day today as the group of 11 gathered in the early morning. Our minibus taxi took us to Heathrow to catch our Finnair flight. We arrived late in Helsinki which meant we only had 15 mins to catch our connecting flight to Oulu, our base for the first few days. Most of the group made it. Unfortunately having been split up not everyone was accounted for and we departed for Oulu shy one of the party!
25th An early
start ensured most had some birding before/ after breakfast- even during,
as breakfast was taken in the cafeteria of the centre with panoramic views.
Scarlet Rosefinch were evident, including a couple of red males,
plus Spotted Flycatcher and Pied Flycatcher. After breakfast
out first stop was the airport to see if the missing bag had arrived,
although we went via the back roads, birding as we went. South of the
airport we came across a field with 150 Cranes feeding amid 250
Whooper Swan. At the rear were 5 Bean Geese. Stopping by
a bridge we heard Thrush Nightingale singing away. With no sign
of the luggage we continued further north to a couple of sites for owls,
although a stop on the coast just outside Oulu was a magical moment. Stopping
by the north bay we stopped and scanned, Temminck's Stint were
seen as was a Black Tern. A very unpromising dump came alive when
Terek Sandpiper flew in, landed and began to call away, an amazing
site and pretty close. We drove further north and off the beaten track
into a large area of woodland that was worryingly being cleared. Pulling
up a lone remaining thin trunked tree, some 50 feet high, had a lump perched
at the top. This lump turned out to be a male Hawk Owl, a bird
we had hoped to see, but more was to come. Just down the road local birders
had located a nest where a female was sat. We experienced amazing views
of both birds at the nest and at fairly close proximity, with Terek
Sandpiper in the morning, could our day get any better? Well yes-
a little further down the road we walked a few hundred metres into the
woodland and were con
Another early
breakfast and start, although some made an effort to have quick walk around,
notching up vocal waders such as Snipe, plus the usual Scarlet
Rosefinch, Chaffinch and Siskin. Today we head east
towards Kuusamo, birding as we go. Another visit to the airport and we
were still missing a suitcase, although the Terek Sandpiper gave
good views again. About 20km east of Oulu we pulled off the main road
and into another woodland. Here we met two other groups who were here
for the same thing.... We played a Pygmy Owl call and sure enough,
albeit distantly, a bird replied, with Green Sandpiper and Wood
Sandpiper also singing away in the background. We hung around for
about 30 mins, hoping it would come nearer, but alas it didn't. We had
a fair way to go, so pressed on. Our second port of call was a hyper market,
so our party member who's case was missing, had the opportunity to purchase
some clean/ warm clothing!. After our brief stop, we pressed on. The countryside
undulates under the relentless cover of conifers. We had never seen so
many trees. About two thirds of the way to Kuusamo we pulled off at a
rest 27th May A full day
scouring the woodlands and lakes north of Kuusamo today. Following breakfast
we headed out and began looking for Capercaillie at a local site.
We weren't disappointed and had a female by the roadside. Our next few
stops involved visits to several known sites as it was still early in
the season. Our quarry was Siberian Tit. Our first two stops drew
blanks, save for good views of Waxwing, but third time lucky, a
small clearing containing several nest boxes included at least one occupied
box with one pair showing well. A good walk through an extensive woodland
along a well marked path proved to be well worth the effort. Brambling
were singing from the tree tops, but something slightly scarcer was
required. Red-flanked Bluetail have been steadily moving westwards
and now found in eastern Finland. The undulating woodland had open areas,
in such a glade we had excellent views of Hazelhen, with several
birds perched above and flying over us. And we had at least 2 Red-flanked
Bluetail here, perched and singing away. A stop in a layby, w 28th May Our final
morning in eastern Finland, not wasting any time we went back to the Siberian
Jay site, this again proved fruitless, it was damp and cool, not ideal
conditions. Further down the road we revisited a Rustic Bunting site,
which yield a single bird, but a single Siberian Jay perched at
the top of tall conifer was just reward for the effort of the previous
day in searching for it. The drive seemed so long back to Oulu, although
several breaks were welcomed by the drivers. Back towards Oulu and a return
visit to the Pygmy Owl site was well worth the perseverance. Our
group stood by Ari who called in the bird, like a missile an adult shot
through the woodland at high speed and perched above the group, glaring
at us. After a few minutes it flew off as quickly as it arrived. Unseen
by some, we lured it back for a second look and like a bullet it shot
through the woodland hitting out trusty leader (Andy Hirst) squarely on
the forehead, between the eyes, luckily he was wearing a hat which protected
his eyes. Looking most indignant, the adult perched on a low-level bran 29th May Our final
day in Finland saw the group stay close to the centre for the morning,
before our early afternoon flights back to Heathrow. This proved an excellent
mornings birding in the bay We have been a little vague with a lot of sites here as these are sites worked by local guides who wish to control access and protect their interests.
All images © Mick Clay, Geoff & Lyn Facer, Andy Hirst, George & Irene Shentall |
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