Birding Trip to Finland May 23 rd to May 29 th 2007

Transcription

1 Birding Trip to Finland May 23 rd to May 29 th 2007 Eddie Marsh, Dave Fairhurst, Bill Mackie and Gerald Jobson Cost Between: Ryan Air: Stanstead to Tampere. Car Hire: Budget (Mondeo Estate). Used Finnature: Oulu (2 tours 25 th & 26th). Kuusamo (2 tours 27 th & 28 th ). All tours started at 03.00am till 11.00am although they would run over the eight hours if target birds still to be seen, refreshments were provided, drinks and food. Guides: Jari Wilenius (Oulu) and Olli Lamminsalo (Kuusamo) Accommodation: 23 rd Hotel Lamminpaa, tel just north of Tampere. 24 th Varminkoski Camping Site (Cabins), tel just south of Liminka. 25 th Varminkoski Camping Site (Cabins), tel just south of Liminka. 26 th Hotel Sokos, Kuusamo, tel (Special rate as original Hotel cancelled). 27 th Hotel Sokos, Kuusamo, tel (Special rate as original Hotel cancelled). 28 th Varminkoski Camping Site (Cabins), tel just south of Liminka. 29 th No accommodation flight home late evening Tampere. Systematic List: Black-throated Diver: (Gavia arctica) 27 th & 28 th full summer plumage birds seen at three different locations around Kuusamo. Great Crested Grebe: (Podiceps cristatus) 24 th (2) from tower hide at Kylanpuoli near Kempele. (2) Virkkula Visitor Centre Reserve from the tower hide. Not noted in the Kussamo area. 29 th (1) on lake at Vulasaari on route to Tampere airport. Red-necked Grebe: (Podiceps grisegena) 26 th (3) full summer plumage birds on lake on the outskirts of Kuusamo. 28 th (1) summer plumage on large lake in the Kuusamo area. Great Cormorant: (Phalocrocorax carbo) Noted during the trip, but no numbers or location recorded. Final Issue. 1 10/06/2007.

2 Great Bittern: (Botaurus stellaris) 24 th (2) Heard from tower hide at Kylanpuoli near Kempele. Whooper Swan: (Cygnus Cygnus) Fairly common several seen at various locations, larger groups seen in the Kuusamo area. Greylag Goose: (Anser anser) 24 th (8+) from tower hide at Kylanpuoli near Kempele. other sighting during trip but no numbers noted. Eurasian Wigeon: (Anas Penelope) Not common but odd pairs and single birds observed throughout the trip. Common Teal: (Anas crecca) Not common but odd pairs and single birds observed throughout the trip. Mallard: (Anas platyrhynchos) Species seen at all suitable habitat throughout the trip. Northern Pintail: (Anas acuta) 24 th (1) Virkkula Visitor Centre Reserve from the tower hide. 27 th (2) Kuusamo area. Garganey: (Anas querquedula) 24 th (2 ) from tower hide at Kylanpuoli near Kempele. Northern Shoveler: (Anas clypeata) Fairly common, seen most day in suitable habitat. Tufted Duck: (Aythya fuligula) Common, seen in good numbers. Velvet Scoter: (Melanitta fusca) 26 th (11) on lake behind the Sokos Hotel in Kuusamo. 27 th (10) on a smaller lake near Kuusamo. Common Goldeneye: (Bucephala clangula) Common on rivers and lakes throughout the trip. Smew: (Mergellus albellus) 24 th (10) from tower hide at Kylanpuoli near Kempele. 27 th (1 ), 28 th (4) near Kuusamo. Final Issue. 2 10/06/2007.

3 Red-breasted Merganser: (Mergus serrator) 24 th (2) pair from tower hide at Kylanpuoli near Kempele. Goosander: (Mergus merganser) 27 th (3) later (22) on different lake, 28 th (2 ) all around Kuusamo area. White-tailed Eagle: (Haliaeetus albicilla) 24 th (1) Virkkula Visitor Centre Reserve. 28 th (1) seen well soaring whilst looking for Rustic Buntings in the Kuusamo area. Marsh Harrier: (Circus aeruginosus) 24 th (2) from tower hide at Kylanpuoli near Kempele. Odd sightings around Oulu. Honey Buzzard: (Pernis apivorus) 24 th (1) seen well on route to Oulu. Eurasian Sparrowhawk: (Accipiter nisus) Ones and Twos noted around Oulu and Kuusamo. Osprey: (Pandion haliaetus) 26 th (1), 28 th (1) Kuusamo. Common Kestrel: (Falco tinnunculus) Odd sightings during the trip. Willow Grouse: (Lagopus lagopus) 27 th (2), 28 th (2) different locations in Kuusamo area. Capercaillie: (Tetrao urogallus) 26 th (2 ) well north of Oulu approximately 100 Km. 27 th (2 ), 28 th (2) all in the Kuusamo area. Black Grouse: (Tetreo tetrix) Very common around Oulu and Kuusamo area s. Hazel Hen (Grouse): (Bonasa bonasia) 26 th (2) pair flushed close to the van north of Oulu, not good views by everyone in the group. 27 th (5) some excellent views of two males and female. Then later in the afternoon we visited a residential area that Olli recommended and everyone had superb views of a pair feeding and collecting grit on a dirt track, all around the Kuusamo area. Final Issue. 3 10/06/2007.

4 Pheasant: (phasianus colchicus) 29 th (1) on route back to Tampere. Eurasian Coot: (Fulica atra) Odd ones and twos in wetland habitat. Common Crane: (Grus grus) Fairly common, seen most days in small numbers. Eurasian Oystercatcher: (Haematopus ostralegus) Common, even on Oulu dump. Common Ringed Plover: (Charadrius h Tundrae) 24 th (1) heard (DF) from tower hide at Virkkula Visitor Centre Reserve. 26 th (2) Kuusamo. European Golden Plover: (Pluvialis apricaria) 26 th (3) in fields in the Oulu area. Grey Plover: (Pluvialis squatarola) 27 th (2) a pair close to Kuusamo, the next morning Olli informed us that they are an irregular visitor to this area and he put them on the local birding network. Northern Lapwing: (Vanellus vanellus) Seen every day in small numbers. Sanderling: (Calidris alba) 24 th (6) from tower hide at Virkkula Visitor Centre Reserve. Temminck's Stint: (Calidris temminckii) 26 th (1) superb views of this wader in summer plumage at Kuusamo. 27 th (1) Kuusamo Dump. A few more noted but no numbers or sites recorded. Ruff: (Philomachus pugnax) Several males seen at lek displaying to odd females at Virkkula Visitor Centre Reserve. Common Snipe: (Gallinago gallinago) Several seen drumming and displaying at the coastal sites we visited on our first day around Oulu. Final Issue. 4 10/06/2007.

5 Eurasian Woodcock: (Scolopax rusticola) 23 rd (2) Hotel Lamminpaa. 28 th (1) Kuusamo. There were other sightings by various individuals in the group from the vehicle during transit periods. Black-tailed Godwit: (Limosa limosa) Few seen singing and displaying at Virkkula Visitor Centre Reserve and Kylanpuoli near Kempele. Whimbrel: (Numenius phaeopus) 27 th (2) our only sighting of this species near Kuusamo. Eurasian Curlew: (Numenius arquata) Very common seen everywhere throughout the trip. Common Redshank: (Tringa tetanus) Not a common wader here only a few seen at Virkkula Visitor Centre Reserve and Kylanpuoli near Kempele. Common Greenshank: (Tringa nebularia) Seen regularly at Oulu and Kuusamo. Green Sandpiper: (Tringa ochropus) Seen regularly throughout the trip. Wood Sandpiper: (Tringa glareola) Common wader seen throughout the trip especially singing display flights, superb to see at breeding grounds. Common Sandpiper: (Tringa hypoleucos) Seen regularly throughout the trip. Red-necked Phalarope: (Phalaropus lobatus) 27 th (2 ), 28 th (1) seen around the Kuusamo area. Little Gull: (Larus minutes) Very common seen around Oulu and Kuusamo. Large count of (900) on the 28 th Kuusamo. near Final Issue. 5 10/06/2007.

6 Black-headed Gull: (Larus ridibundus) Very common seen daily with large numbers seen at breeding colonies around Oulu and Kuusamo. Common Gull: (Larus canus) Very common seen in good numbers throughout our visit. Baltic Gull: (Larus f fuscus) Large numbers seen especially at the rubbish dumps at Oulu and Kuusamo. Herring Gull: (Larus argentatus) Large numbers seen especially at the rubbish dumps at Oulu and Kuusamo. Siberian Gull: (Larus f. heuglini) 28 th (1) second calander bird at Oulu Rubbish Dump. Only definite sighting of the trip although there had been reports of two adults on the rubbish dump at Kuusamo, which we could not find in two visits. We did have an individual that may have been this species but identification not clinched. Good photo s taken of this individual and shown to Adam Rowland and Brian Small and they confirmed (DF) first identification thoughts at the time of finding this gull. Great Black-backed Gull: (Larus marinus) A few noted during the trip. Common Tern: (Sterna hirundo) 26 th (40+), 28 th (2) all around Kuusamo and surrounding area, plus (1) on route back to Tampere. Arctic Tern: (Sterna paradisaea) Seen on the 24 th, 26th, 27 th, 28 th, and 29 th in small numbers usually never more than four at any one time, mainly fishing on Lakes. Wood Pigeon: (Columba palumbus) Common, but not recorded in large numbers. Collared Dove: (Streptopelia decaocto) 29 th (1) Varminkoski Camping Site just before leaving cabins to head south. Common Cuckoo: (Cuculus canorus) Seen or heard most days, it was weird for us to hear them calling deep in large pine forest. Final Issue. 6 10/06/2007.

7 Eagle Owl (Eurasian): (Bubo bubo) 28 th (1) one seen well at the Oulu Rubbish Dump between 23.15pm to mid night. Bird a bit distant but good views with scope, light had faded a bit by this time. Great Grey Owl: (Strix nebulosa) 26 th (2 ) female sitting on nest and excellent views of the male sitting in the open nearby, well north of Oulu. The entire group agreed later that this was the bird of the trip. Ural Owl: (Strix uralensis) 25 th (1) excellent views of male perched in various tree in vicinity of nest box where female was brooding chicks. South of Liminika. Northern Hawk Owl: (Surnia ulula) 26 th (3) an adult female plus two juv s, one out of nest hole in low tree branches and the other showing from the nest hole. Female very worn so looked very dull, probably caused by many visits through nest hole to feed chicks. Tengmalm's Owl: (Aegolius funereus) 26 th (1) (DF) and (EM) had NTV s of a Tengmalm s that left a nest box visited the previous day. 27 th (3) two chicks and an adult at two sites. Ollie removed two chicks from a nest box near the Russian border. Then later Olli took us to another nest box in a garden in Kuusamo. The female was in the nest box and one of the people who lived there had a periscope for all of us to have a 15 second look. (EM) went up the ladder first and while working out the light on the instrument the female flew out and perched in a tree next to the bungalow. We then had excellent views of this adult female perched, we had time to get some good photographs before leaving her to go back to the nest. Pygmy Owl: (Glaucidium passerinum) 25 th (2) Jari called the bird in and we had excellent views of an adult male perched in the open near nest box, when leaving the site some off the group had the female fly from the nest box. Long-eared Owl: (Asio otus) 24 th (1) flushed from a ditch at Virkkula Visitor Centre Reserve. Short-eared Owl: (Asio flammeus) 28 th (1) hunting fields near the ABC service station area near to Liminika. Common Swift: (Apus apus) Seen everywhere, we were surprised to see them north of Kuusamo. Gt Spotted Woodpecker: (Dendrocopos major) Common, seen throughout the trip in good numbers. Final Issue. 7 10/06/2007.

8 Three-toed Woodpecker: (Picoides tridactylus) 25 th (2 ) we had dipped this species early morning with Jari after leaving the Ural Owl site. During the day Jari had a phone call to be told the nest had been found, he gave us directions so we could visit after the tour. We went back to the area we had visited early morning not far south of Liminika and soon found the nest hole in an isolated tree close to the track, it was an area that where the forest had been recently cleared. We soon had the female showing her head with a bit of pishing. We stayed a while and were rewarded with male coming in giving excellent views and then swapping over with the female. She also gave excellent views; we were all delighted with the outcome after dipping earlier in the day. Black Woodpecker: (Dryocopus martius) 25 th (4) adult male feeding three juv s at nest hole. The nest was in an old pine located in Oulu Cemetery, we had a longish wait for this male to return to feed the young, when he first came in he stayed high in the canopy although viewable. Eventually he came down and landed close to the large nest hole he spent a bit of time on the trunk before going close to the hole. Once he was close to the hole the three juv s soon had their heads out begging for food, they were well developed and showed nice red patches on the tops of their heads. He was soon regurgitating food to the young birds. He was visible for at least ten minutes or more giving absolutely great views individually and feeding the young birds. Wood Lark: (Lullula arborea) 25 th (3) pair seen well together plus another single nearby south of Liminika, this species has only recently got this far north and is still scarce. Eurasian Skylark: (Alauda arvensis) Several seen and heard during the trip. Sand Martin: (Riparia riparia) Common, seen throughout the trip in good numbers, a surprised to see them north of Kuusamo where some nest in old compressed sawdust heaps. Barn Swallow: (Hirundo rustica) Common, seen throughout the trip in good numbers. House Martin: (Delichon urbica) Good numbers seen throughout the trip, but not as numerous as the other hirundines. Tree Pipit: (Anthus trivialis) Common, seen throughout the trip in good numbers. Meadow Pipit: (Anthus pratensis) Not common a few seen or heard during the trip. Final Issue. 8 10/06/2007.

9 White Wagtail: (Motacilla alba) Common, seen throughout the trip in good numbers. Grey-headed Wagtail: (Motacilla f. thunbergi) 26 th (8+) at two different locations close to Kuusamo, at the first lake we had very close views of a male and female and good views of 6+ in bushes at second location nearby. 27 th (1) Kuusamo Rubbish Dump, another one or two may have been in the Kuusamo area. (Blue-headed Wagtail: Type sp Male) (Motacilla flava.? 26 th (1) by lake during comfort stop on route to Kuusamo. Bohemian Waxwing: (Bombycilla garrulous) 25 th (1) (DF) heard one at Ural Owl stakeout. 27 th (1) (DF) heard one at Kuusamo Rubbish Dump. Dunnock: (Prunella modularis) Heard but only seen by (DF) & (GJ). European Robin: (Erithacus rubecula) Not common a few seen or heard during the trip. Thrush Nightingale: (Luscinia luscinia) 29 th (2) singing males seen well at Saynaniem on route to Tampere. Red-flanked Bluetail: (Tarsiger cyanurus) 27 th (2) both singing males at Valtavaara Ridge just north of Ruka, distant scope views. Common Redstart: (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) Not common a few singing males noted at various locations during the trip, good views of a singing male on the 27 th at the Valtavaara Ridge. Whinchat: (Saxicola rubetra) Fairly common seen regularly during the trip, around forest clearings and near the coast. Northern Wheatear: (Oenanthe oenanthe) Only a few individuals seen during the trip mainly in the Oulu area. Blackbird: (Turdus merula) Not common a few individuals noted at various locations and while travelling during the trip. Final Issue. 9 10/06/2007.

10 Fieldfare: (Turdus pilaris) Common, seen throughout the trip in good numbers, many breeding pairs. Redwing: (Turdus iliacus) Recorded in small numbers in the Oulu and Kuusamo areas. Song Thrush: (Turdus philomelos) Not common a few individuals noted at various locations and while travelling during the trip. Mistle Thrush: (Turdus viscivorus) Not common a few individuals noted during the trip. Sedge Warbler: (A. schoenobaenus) Not common a few individuals noted at various scrubby wetland habitat. Garden Warbler: (Sylvia borin) 29 th (1) Behind Orivesi Railway Siding on route back to Tampere Airport. Common Whitethroat: (Sylvia communis) 29 th (2) Behind Orivesi Railway Siding on route back to Tampere Airport. Lesser Whitethroat: (Sylvia curruca) 24 th (2) Virkkula Visitor Centre Reserve. Willow Warbler: (Phylloscopus trochilus) Common, seen throughout the trip in good numbers. Common Chiffchaff: (Phylloscopus collybita) 28 th (1) only heard calling in a garden in Kuusamo. Wood Warbler: (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) Fairly common seen very well in good habitat in the Oulu area. Goldcrest: (Regulus regulus) 25 th (1) only sighting near Liminika. Spotted Flycatcher: (Muscicapa striata) Fairly common seen regularly throughout the trip. Final Issue /06/2007.

11 Pied Flycatcher: (Ficedula hypoleuca) Very common seen everywhere. Willow Tit: (Parus m. borealis) This Northern race Tit was fairly common and seen regularly during our stay. Had some excellent views of this race in the Kuusamo area. Siberian Tit: (Parus cinctus) 27 th (2) excellent views of a pair at nest box in Kuusamo area, cracking views when male came to nest box and female left box and both birds stayed close by till female returned to box. Female showing her head from next box later that day. Crested Tit: (Parus cristatus) 25 th (1) south of Liminika in conifer forest. Great Tit: (Parus major) Common, seen throughout the trip. Blue Tit: (Parus caeruleus) Common, seen throughout the trip. Eurasian Treecreeper: (Certhia familiaris) 25 th (1) heard calling (DF) Red-backed Shrike: (Lanius collurio) 24 th (1 ) Kylanpuoli near Kempele. 25 th (1 ) south west of Liminika. Eurasian Jay: (Garrulus glandarius) Two separate birds seen by half the group. Siberian Jay: (Perisoreus infaustus) 27 th (2) a breeding pair showing very well approximately 5-Km east of the Valtavaara Ridge. Black-billed Magpie: (Pica pica) Very common seen daily in all locations. Eurasian Jackdaw: (Corvus monedula) Very common seen daily in all locations. Final Issue /06/2007.

12 Rook: (Corvus frugilegus) 25 th & 26 th small numbers seen around Oulu. 27 th (1) Kuusamo Rubbish Dump, these Rook s here are the most Northerly population in Europe. Hooded Crow: (Corvus corone) Very common seen daily everywhere. Common Raven: (Corvus corax) Small numbers recorded every day of the trip even on the rubbish dumps at Oulu and Kuusamo. Common Starling: (Sturnus vulgaris) Small numbers seen on various days, often in the more agricultural areas. House Sparrow: (Passer domesticus) Seen regularly in small numbers especially around services areas and in built up areas. Chaffinch: (Fringilla coelebs) Very common seen and heard throughout the trip. Brambling: (Fringilla montifringilla) Fairly common in forest areas, some nice summer plumage males seen well, plus constantly heard during the trip in the Oulu and Kuusamo areas. European Greenfinch: (Carduelis chloris) Noted on a few occasions during the trip, but no numbers recorded. Eurasian Siskin: (Carduelis spinus) 25 th (2) seen well and a few other heard calling south west of Liminika. Mealy Redpoll: (Carduelis f. Cabaret) Ones and twos seen and heard throughout the trip in the Oulu and Kuusamo areas. Common Rosefinch: (Carpodacus erythrinus) 23 rd (2) both adult singing males in coastal wetland scrub at Kylanpuoli near Kempele.area. 29 th (1) a first summer male singing at Varminkoski Campsite near our log cabin accommodation. A few others heard and seen briefly during the duration of the trip. Parrot Crossbill: (Loxia pytyopsittacus) 25 th (1) south west of Liminika, female/juv type, a bit distant to get clinching views, bill seemed to be very deep and large, most of the group seemed happy with id. Final Issue /06/2007.

13 Red Crossbill: (Loxia curvirostra) 25 th (40+) south of Liminika, adults and juv s, this was our largest count of the trip. Odd ones & two calling and seen during trip but no numbers noted. Northern Bullfinch: (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) 27 th (1) Kuusamo area a stunning male, good close views. Yellowhammer: (Emberiza citronella) Regularly seen throughout the trip. Rustic Bunting: (Emberiza rustica) 28 th (2) near Kuusamo, a pair found on roadside verge excellent views. Ortolan Bunting: (Emberiza hortulana) 25 th (2) south west of Liminika, one singing close to dirt road, other bird distant singing on large rock near grouse leck.. Reed Bunting: (Emberiza schoeniclus) Common, seen most days in suitable habitat. Final Issue /06/2007.

14 Mammals etc: Artic Hare: Common in the north around Oulu and Kuusamo. Elk: Several seen in the Kuusamo area. Reindeer: Several seen in the Kuusamo area. Red Squirrell: Only two or three seen, a really nice grey backed one at the Valtavaara Ridge on the feeding station. Stoat: Couple seen during trip. Muskrat: Good numbers seen around Kuusamo. Frog: Odd one seen. Green Hairstreak: A few seen around Kuusamo area. Camberwell Beauty: Several seen on forest tracks at Oulu and Kuusamo areas. Final Issue /06/2007.