ORNITHOLIDAYS TOUR TO FINLAND Owls, Woodpeckers & Grouse May Leaders: Antero Topp, Olli Lamminsalo and Tumos Seimola

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1 ORNITHOLIDAYS TOUR TO FINLAND Owls, Woodpeckers & Grouse May 2015 Leaders: Antero Topp, Olli Lamminsalo and Tumos Seimola

2 ORNITHOLIDAYS TOUR TO FINLAND Owls, Woodpeckers & Grouse May 2015 A Client s Diary Saturday 23 May All five members of the group, spotting each other s orange luggage labels, gathered at Heathrow s Terminal 3 for the lunchtime flight to Helsinki. The British Airways Airbus took two hours 50 minutes; Helsinki was fine and two hours ahead of BST. We waited in the comfortable terminal for our onward flight to Oulu, sampled our first Finnish snacks and researched the shopping area for possible gifts to take home in eight days time. The flight, in a Brazilian-made Embraer 190, took an hour. Luggage soon arrived, and we met Antero Topp, our naturalist guide. He drove us the short distance to our comfortable hotel, which overlooks a bay in the Gulf of Bothnia. Unpacking, and a tasty three-course evening meal, took up the rest of the evening, as we had rashly agreed to a start the next day! Sunday 24 May John ventured out at to the little creek at the bottom of the hotel gardens, and reported back on at least three invisible, but calling, Spotted Crake, plus Common Snipe drumming overhead, Common Pheasant, Common (Scarlet) Rosefinch and Pied Flycatcher in the gardens and a number of water bird species visible in the bay from the viewing platform. Over the next three days we would all become familiar with these sights or sounds, in the case of the elusive Spotted Crakes and also Great Bittern so easily accessed from our hotel. Above our heads aerial feeders wheeled above us: Barn Swallows, and Common Swifts, House and Sand Martins. Our pre-breakfast outing took us to Siikajoki, an area of mixed birch and pine forest, where Liz was delighted to begin her photographic diary with easy shots of a magnificent female Great Grey Owl on a huge nest. After a few minutes, the owl shifted her position slightly, to show off a sleepy chick next to her. Our first Black Woodpecker flew past, several Eurasian Wrynecks were calling, and one sat on a branch for a while, giving good views, while a small group of Common Crossbills landed in the trees nearby. A singing Willow Warbler set the scene for what was to become the most common sound for the whole trip: its wonderful wistful song with descending notes. European Hares in nearby fields kept pace with the bus as we drove along the roads through mixed farmland and small patches of forest. Venturing along unsurfaced roads into thicker forest, no target birds were seen at a local Ural Owl nesting area, but then a Three-toed Woodpecker appeared near its tree-hole nest. It was, however, being harassed by a pair of Pied Flycatchers, and didn t stay in sight for long, diving into its nest whilst the photogenic male flycatcher kept guard. All of this was before a typically diverse Finnish buffet breakfast at the hotel at 09.00, with a range of hot and cold food choices, and in this case including the chance to cook your own pancakes on a hot griddle. There was time to attempt to compensate for our excess on a 20-minute circuit of the gardens and shore: Common and Little Terns, bubbling Eurasian Curlew and displaying Red Breasted Mergansers were noted, with a range of familiar duck species and smaller common birds including Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting. The next main outing of the morning, in the Teppola area, yielded good sightings of Temminck s Stint, Broadbilled Sandpiper, Ringed Plover and Northern Lapwing in a ploughed field. Then, in a boggy, mostly open but partially-wooded area, with spongey vegetation underfoot, we come upon three members of a family of Northern Hawk Owls: an adult high up on a central tree keeping watch, with two fledged chicks on different trees nearby, patiently waiting for their next delivery of food. A Common Lizard, already tailless, decided to make itself scarce when it spotted us. Further on, we saw Common Redstart, our first (female) Black Grouse on the roadside, and visited a nest box to find one well-grown Ural Owl chick on a tree nearby. As we drove along the forest track, a female Elk with two calves crossed the road in front of us. Stopping for a hot-and-cold buffet lunch at an ABC cafeteria, we rejoiced in the fact that this tour, subtitled Owls, Woodpeckers and Grouse, had already yielded three species of owl, three of woodpecker and one grouse before lunch on the first day! A little light dozing in the comfortable minibus whilst en route made up for some shortage of sleep. After lunch, we made two stops for Tengmalm s Owl in the Haukipudas area, but the boxes seemed quiet, although there were believed to be chicks inside. Grassy fields yielded good views of two Ornitholidays Tour to Finland May 2015 Page 1

3 Common Cranes, some Whooper Swans taking flight, and White Wagtails on a chalky mound. Another wooded area gave better sightings of Black Woodpecker at a nest hole, and added to our list a singing Yellowhammer, and Common and Green Sandpiper at a lake edge. The most colourful characters seen were the stunning pair of Slavonian Grebes on a small lake close to houses in Oulu. The Collins Bird Guide s labelling of their dramatic summer body plumage as reddish didn t do them justice. One bird gave us relatively close views for a long period of time, its eyes shining like rubies, whilst the other tended its nest further away. Friendly Finnish locals chatted to us about our trip and our experiences of Finland. After dinner, including a beef main course, or salmon for the pescatarian on the tour, some of us took another look at the bay, enjoying views of Western Marsh Harrier, Common Greenshank and Wood Sandpiper in a cloudy and prolonged sunset. Waterfowl included Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander, Common Shelduck, Tufted Duck and the seven dabbling duck (Anatini) species commonly seen in the UK, all in attractive breeding plumage. Monday 25 May At 05.00, Antero joined us for a quick walk to the bay hoping, in vain, to spot a Spotted Crake. Wood Sandpiper and Common (Scarlet) Rosefinch gave close views, and we were pleased to add European Robin to the list, as well as several other garden bird species common in the UK, and Garden Warbler (slightly misnamed in its UK habitats, we thought). Then we drove to the Sanginjoki area to look for Eurasian Pygmy Owls, and were allowed by Antero to peep quickly into a box inhabited by a female with one chick visible: all approaches to areas where owls were nesting were made quietly, with Antero checking first. Crested Tit and Eurasian Siskin showed well, before we moved on to try to find Ural Owl. A shy adult female watched us from behind a screen of branches, as Antero and then the rest of us approached carefully; Ural Owls can be aggressive. Nearby a chick peeped out from one of the specially erected nest boxes. Two similar boxes are always erected close together for the owls to have a choice, and to use the second box for a larder. Goldcrest, Mistle Thrush and Song Thrush volunteered for the bird list, as well as Whinchat, Blackcap, Common Redpoll, Redwing and Lesser Whitethroat in the hotel gardens after breakfast. We drove to Oritkarri to look for the rare Terek Sandpiper. Formerly there had been around 10 pairs nesting in an area now used for dumping snow some of which, charcoal-coloured with dirt, had not yet melted. There was occasional disturbance from human treasure-seekers on the mounds. We watched Little Ringed Plover, Common Redshank, Skylark, Whinchat, Hooded Crow, Arctic Tern and Yellow Wagtail at the site, but sadly no Terek Sandpipers, though apparently another group saw one later. Following reports from Antero s colleagues, we proceeded to Haukipudas to find a beautiful adult female Tengmalm s Owl and her less bonny chick sitting out on different trees. Moving on, we went to look for a Eurasian Pygmy Owl in Kiiminki, and found an attractively streaked and spotted adult male sitting very close to a box. In the sunlight, a few butterflies, notably Green Hairstreaks, had started to emerge. We were in sunny moods, too having already seen at close quarters the five main target species of owl for the region. The three photographers on the trip spent some time on the bus journeys checking their recorded treasures; Brian was particularly enjoying capturing good images of his green spot target species previously marked in his field guide. The main visit of the day was to Liminganlahti wetland and visitor centre in Liminka Bay, south of Oulu. Starting with an appetising pre-ordered lunch featuring a range of dishes, we had a quick look around the beautifully-constructed centre with interesting exhibitions, before heading out on the 600m-long boardwalk to the Virkkula birdwatching tower. Conditions were a little windy but we had excellent views of Black-tailed Godwit in summer plumage, stunning male Garganey and colourful Northern Shoveler close to the tower, rather more distant Ruff in a range of plumages, Curlew and Common Tern, whilst a single Gull-billed Tern flew past, and a distant White-tailed Eagle increased our tally of raptors. A Lesser Black-backed Gull, of the darker Baltic race, with black mantle and wings, was seen. Afterwards, we travelled to the Muhos area and climbed a birdwatching tower to scan a field. Again, Antero had received helpful intel from his network of guides and other birdwatchers; and through his scope Roger spotted a distant trip (the unique collective noun) of Dotterel. We saw around 10 birds, but within minutes Ornitholidays Tour to Finland May 2015 Page 2

4 all of them had managed to fade into the landscape, despite their bright plumage. Apparently a larger number had been seen there on the day before. In the evening, before and after dinner, some of us went again to the shore. Great Crested Grebe, Little Gull, Arctic Tern and Dunlin were added to species seen, but we waited in vain for Eurasian Woodcock roding over the trees. Tuesday 26 May Offered a slightly later start, some of us were nevertheless down at the shore by around to watch the usual characters: we added a Barnacle Goose with some Greylags, and enjoyed the short bursts of cheerful song from a young Common Rosefinch. Closer views and sharper photos of an older, brightly-coloured male of this species were achieved after we had finished our breakfast, loaded the bus, checked out of the hotel, and embarked on our journey towards Kuusamo. A third Common Rosefinch was encountered at the site at Oritkarri, but the Terek Sandpipers were still out of sight. Antero explained that there is sadly little protection for this species there is a sign at the gates of the site about visitors not entering because it is an important breeding area for endangered birds, but lorries come and go regularly. In the woodland at Green Island we watched very active Wood Warblers, and heard Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming - but this proved to be a species we would fail to see at all on the trip, despite several efforts. Starting to walk along the track to a local birdwatching tower, we were overtaken by a large number of local primary school children and their teachers on bikes. They queued up for the tower and started climbing before we got there on foot; Antero managed to pop up to take a look, and reported there was little to see, so we returned to the bus. Schools were due to break up for the summer holiday by the weekend there were graduation parties for the leavers, and outings such as the one we witnessed, with large groups of quite small children on bikes in Kuusamo. Teachers seem committed to involving the youngsters in the natural environment; many Finns spend the summer in lakeland settings. During the day, either side of an ABC lunch stop, we diverted from the main road to Kuusamo and took a variety of scenic routes and forest tracks, including the Syöte National Park, where the snow was still in the process of melting, and the rivers were full. The scenery had changed gradually from the low-lying farmland and woods in the west, to a land of lakes, forests and rolling hills around Kuusamo. It failed, however, to produce all the local species that Antero was hoping for. We saw our first Capercaillie, a female standing by the road, and had good views of Red Squirrel, Mountain Hare, Tree Pipit and Common Redstart. At one stop, Antero played a tape for Rustic Bunting: a male responded instantly but disappeared again quickly an indication of a paired migrant bird which was now more concerned with nesting than advertising its presence or actively defending a territory. Unfortunately a Brambling arrived at the same time, causing confusion, and some of the group missed the bunting. Hazel Grouse were elusive in the afternoon, but further into the lakeland area, groups of Little Gulls were displaying on large lakes, and we had distant views of a Red-necked Phalarope which dropped in to join them. Our first pair of Black-throated Divers showed well, in addition to Common Goldeneye (here, a breeding species seen every day on the tour) and our first Red-necked Grebes. Willow Tits, greyer than the subspecies we are familiar with in the UK, a most obliging Siberian Jay and a Little Bunting, all gave reasonable views. We arrived at our comfortable hotel in Kuusamo, and unpacked with time to relax. We did the checklist in the bar and enjoyed another tasty three-course dinner. There were two other birding groups in the restaurant, exchanging information, and we briefly met Tuomas Seimola, our guide for the Helsinki (final) section of the tour. Antero had promised us a grouse drive after dinner, to take advantage of the good weather conditions and late evening light. Soon after leaving the hotel, we tracked down some Willow Ptarmigan (Grouse), achieving great views and photographs of one pair. The Red Grouse resident in the UK is described as a local race of this species, though the Willow Ptarmigan has mainly white wings all through the year, and is almost completely white in winter. We must hope for a split in order to claim a new species! A pair of fine Hazel Grouse also showed and then we drove to the first Black Grouse lekking area, in a valley viewed at our leisure from a ridge above. There were four superb males, strutting their stuff individually in the area, and two of them decided on a brief skirmish. But their battles were a little desultory, probably because there were no females to be seen, except along the roadsides locally. Driving to a second, larger site, Antero was disappointed to find only two male birds, a fact which he attributed to human disturbance and inadequate protection for the species. Despite a search, no Capercaillie were seen in their usual lekking area, but we were consoled by excellent views of Ornitholidays Tour to Finland May 2015 Page 3

5 Mountain Hares, most with white ears and feet, but one still almost completely white ineffective camouflage in the late May landscape. When we arrived back in the area of the hotel at midnight, the glassy lakes reflected wonderful sunset scenes. Wednesday 27 May Although there was no early start planned this morning we had been up late the night before, and had done very well for owl species in Oulu some of us took a short walk along the shore before our breakfast, and had good views of Osprey above the lake. The weather became damp, on what turned out to be our only wet day of the tour. Despite several failed attempts in catching up with elusive birds, mostly Rustic Bunting, we had excellent views of Bohemian Waxwing, and then stood patiently waiting in woodland, with a group of Dutch birders with very large cameras, for a Siberian Tit to return to its nest hole in a tree. It came, and went away again, in couple of flashes, giving us a fleeting impression of a brown Willow Tit. We climbed a hill in light drizzle, in pursuit of the fabled Red-flanked Bluetail. Halfway up the hill, deep in forest, Antero played a tape for Hazel Grouse, and we were rewarded with a fleeting view of a male, whizzing past. Ten minutes further up, when we were getting slightly breathless and wished to pause, he played a tape for Eurasian Pygmy Owl, with tremendous effect: a male owl appeared, calling loudly, and was promptly mobbed by two Red-flanked Bluetails, one young male, which sang, and a female. The owl afforded great views for everyone, but the photographers had more difficulty with the overactive bluetails, though Jean-Pierre managed a clear shot, showing the male s subtle colour scheme, when it paused to sing on a high branch. Lunch was another of the day s high spots: a delicious home-cooked meal of reindeer stew (veggie option available) and mash, with lingonberries, salads, and bilberry tart. This was cooked exclusively for us in a remote forest cabin which opens as a café only by appointment. The feeders outside, and the ground below, produced great views of Willow Tit, Eurasian Bullfinch, Brambling, European Greenfinch, small flocks of Eurasian Siskin and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. We spent a contented 90 minutes feasting and relaxing there, before moving on. Around the Capercaillie lekking ground, a female posed for photographs at the roadside (for most of the grouse species we used the bus as a hide), but a male quickly disappeared into the undergrowth. A visit to a lakeside area proved very windy but gave good views of Arctic Terns courtship feeding, Common Ringed Plover, several Red-necked Grebes, and a Muskrat building a nest under an upturned boat. The rain drove us back to the hotel by 16.00, but an improvement lured three of us back out to the lakeside for a walk a mistake as the rain came down much more heavily when we had gone some way. We were grateful for our heated bathroom flooring to help dry our clothes. Meeting again at 19.00, we did the checklist in the bar, and were joined by Olli Lamminsalo, who would take over as guide on the following day, when Antero had to head back to Oulu. Another good dinner followed, and we retired to bed earlier than usual. Thursday 28 May We left the hotel at 05.00, armed with flasks of coffee and tea, in rather foggy conditions. Nevertheless, reaching the Capercaillie lek, we were able to see four or five males, and hear their bellowing calls. As the mist cleared we had excellent roadside views of a very photogenic Mountain Hare, twitching its ears as it pondered whether or not to run away. The next stop was beside a swollen river, where two White-throated Dippers were foraging for food for their nestlings, hidden in a nest under the road bridge, fortunately well clear of the fast-flowing water. The first half of May had apparently been very wet, and water levels everywhere were unusually high. Driving to an exposed plateau with mixed vegetation (billed as a good raptor spot ), we enjoyed increasing sunshine and waited for the action. A Black Woodpecker provided a perfect silhouette on the side of a tall tree, three Bohemian Waxwings bickered at the top of another, Common Kestrel and Eurasian Hobby flew past, and we saw our first and only Short-eared Owl of the trip. We were intrigued by the antics of a male Northern Hawk Owl, which several times launched itself at a tall spruce and appeared to try to strip some vegetation from a branch. Meanwhile, the female s tail feathers could be seen poking out of the top of a broken and hollowed-out silver birch trunk where they were nesting. Our return route passed local ski-slopes with some snow remaining, and a lake with our first Velvet Scoters. At the hotel, we were still at breakfast at 10.00, when we had to say our warm goodbyes with thanks to Antero, Ornitholidays Tour to Finland May 2015 Page 4

6 and relaxed whilst Olli drove him to the bus station to head back to Oulu. Some of group had a brief walk along the lakeside, seeing Willow Tit and Black-throated Diver. Other lake and forested areas revealed Whooper Swans nesting, more Black-throated Divers and Red-necked Grebes, and excellent sightings of two Willow Ptarmigan (Grouse). Driving on to a slightly flooded causeway beside a lake, Olli gave us fantastic close views (and photographs) of Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Temminck s Stint, feeding alongside the bus, amongst picturesque flooded birch woodland. Breakfast had been substantial and late, so in lieu of lunch we stopped at a café for ice creams, coffee and other snacks as required. Domesticated reindeer wearing collars were pottering about on the main roads and tracks throughout the region. Later, we watched an Osprey fly in to land on the top of its huge nest. In a new area, on a sunny hill, a pair of stunning Great Grey Owls were sitting on the edge of a patch of woodland: the female, yawning widely, eyelids drooping, on top of a huge nest formerly owned by Common Buzzards, while the male was a short distance away, keeping very still in its tree and occasionally turning its bright yellow eyes towards us. Further stops, including one with a private entrance to a lakeside spot on Olli s family s land, gave us good, though somewhat distant, views of Smew, Goosander, Common Goldeneye and Black-throated and very secretive Red-throated Divers. We returned to the hotel for a salmon dinner, and an early night. Friday 29 May With few species remaining to be ticked in the area, we concentrated on tracking them down early in the morning, and, in a typical landscape of birch and willow scrub near water, a Little Bunting sang from the top of a spruce with Reed Bunting and Willow Warbler as chorus. In a forested area, a pair of Hazel Grouse at the roadside gave exceptional views in the morning sunshine. From a low birdwatching tower next to a lake, we watched a pair of Red-necked Grebes on a small island apparently considering whether to construct a nest: there seemed to be much posturing from one and incomprehension from the other! Western Marsh Harrier and Common Greenshank also showed, and Muskrats provided extra entertainment. A quick walk after breakfast at the hotel lakeside provided closer views of Black-throated Divers, with Common Terns displaying on the boardwalk, whilst the local Hooded Crows scavenged on the damp grass. In our final couple of hours at local sites, we had our best sightings of Velvet Scoter, Smew and Little Bunting and a flypast from two Taiga Bean Geese. Still birding at 12.00, we were at the airport at for our 90-minute flight to Helsinki, and said our farewells to Olli with thanks for helping us fill the gaps in our Kuusamo list. Here we met Tuomas, with a similar minibus to the one used by Antero and Olli. Heading first to the hotel in Espoo, west of Helsinki, we unpacked and enjoyed an early dinner. Tuomas listened to accounts of our successes so far, and requests for views of specific birds. By we were out in a sunny area of woodland and lakeside at the northern end of Helsinki s Central Park, which actually extends 11km out of the city, having clear sightings of wonderful Thrush Nightingales, singing beautifully, plus Icterine Warbler in leafier branches, and then fleeting views, on a scruffy urban patch, of a very noisy River Warbler, trilling repeatedly and almost endlessly like a Grasshopper Warbler on steroids. We also saw Little Ringed Plovers and a female Common Goldeneye with ducklings. Saturday 30 May We ventured out at 05.00, for sites in and around Helsinki, and it was certainly worth the effort. Starting with Eurasian Hare and Common Pheasant at the roadside, we enjoyed the singing of another Thrush Nightingale, plus Common Blackbird, Song Thrush, Yellowhammer and Common Skylark. A Meadow Pipit sat on a post in the early morning mist, and House Sparrows squabbled nearby. Out on the edge of a stubble field, a Blyth s Reed Warbler made a bid to become the most photographed small passerine of the tour, by remaining at the top of a bush in the open for nearly five minutes, singing loudly. A Western Marsh Warbler was less cooperative, but a back view, at least, was seen by all, and photographed. Stock Doves and Common Sandpiper picked about on the stubble, and at the edge of the woodland, we saw Hawfinches, Spotted Flycatcher, Tree Sparrows, a family of Eurasian Treecreepers and a Goldcrest, amongst others. We returned to the hotel and tucked into a substantial buffet breakfast, happy to start out again within the hour. Our next port of call was to see a Eurasian Penduline Tit nest, hanging in a birch tree by a road in Helsinki. The nest was pouch-shaped and fixed to a thin hanging branch, the downy exterior woven from vegetation. Ornitholidays Tour to Finland May 2015 Page 5

7 We had a very fleeting visit from an adult bird, giving an impression of buff/grey colouring on the way in, and a small dark mask when it popped back out. We left the family in peace, wondering if they felt travel sick and vulnerable blowing about in the wind. From an area of low-rise industrial buildings, well-spaced in landscaped surroundings, we arrived at a large area of wetland and woodland which forms another part of the Central Park. Here we encountered Common Linnet, Northern Wheatear and Common Rosefinch, and, in the reeds, Great Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler. Waterbirds included Slavonian Grebe and our first, and only, sightings of Common Pochard and Common Moorhen for the trip. We then visited a birdwatching tower overlooking Laahjalahti, a very open area of reedbed and shallow water. We now had views of Common Reed Warbler, and Caspian Tern alongside very much smaller Common Tern. Common and Little Ringed Plovers were feeding together in the mud along the shallow creek, with Broadbilled and Wood Sandpipers, Common Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit. Great Black-backed Gulls loafed in the sunshine with representatives of other species of gull already seen elsewhere. Lunch was at another handy service station, and consisted of tasty filled rolls, hot or cold pastries and chocolate bars; then we pressed on to an area known for Red-breasted Flycatcher, within a woodland setting. Tuomas went ahead to check the possibility, and then led us into the area, where we were immediately successful in seeing the bird. We also encountered a few mosquitoes, which had mostly been absent earlier in the trip, and came out of the woodland to stand in a sunny glade amongst trees. Pied Flycatchers and Great Tits were busy at nest boxes, and a European Red Squirrel sat on a branch, systematically stripping and eating a pine cone whilst keeping a watchful eye on us. A nearby Wood Warbler gave much better views, and photos, than earlier on the tour. Lesser Whitethroat also called repeatedly here, but only gave fleeting glimpses. Returning to base for an extended break, two of the group went swimming in the hotel pool, and we had plenty of time to sleep and shower. Dinner was at 18.00, in the very quiet restaurant, normally closed for dinner at weekends, but open especially for us. Our first task of the evening was to look for a Grey-headed Woodpecker; we stared at a nest hole in a tree for a while, but the woodpecker landed in the tree behind us, against the light, and then moved to a high branch above the nest. Happy that we had seen this shy and elusive bird, we left it in peace. On farmland, where Tuomas had been doing some surveys on bird territories of singing males, we gained stunning views and photographs of two or three Ortolan Buntings glowing in the evening light, Whinchat and Common Whitethroat. Driving to our final site, there were Eurasian Woodcock roding over the bus. Reaching an industrial area with a waste-tip area near forest, we climbed quietly to the top of a hill, and rounding the corner had incredible views of a Eurasian Eagle Owl sitting on a metal post in the open against the sunset. What a day! Sunday 31 May We assembled at 06.00, to find that Tuomas had been unwell overnight and needed a bit more sleep. He went back to bed for a couple of hours, whilst the rest of us went for an amble in parkland near the hotel, spotting Eurasian Hare and several common species of bird. We tucked into the usual hearty breakfast from 08.00, and Tuomas had recovered enough to join us an hour later for our final day of birding in Finland. We started at Viiki, a green, reclaimed marshland area with woodland and reedbeds. Spotted Flycatcher and Common Rosefinch were in evidence, as we started out across a boardwalk in the reedbeds. We heard two or three Corncrakes nearby, and we had a hazy view of a male Red-backed Shrike, sitting on a fence in the sunshine, making occasional forays into the reedbed to catch insects. Returning along the boardwalk we paused at the central viewing area to look for Citrine Wagtail. After a couple of fleeting glimpses of a bird in flight, as we were heading back, one landed on the boardwalk facing us, showing its yellow head and belly. Unfortunately, someone else was behind it, walking towards us unaware of the bird s presence, and it took off quickly. Back on solid ground, we climbed the high watchtower named Pornaistennemen lintutorni (the signboard gave the position as N 60 o : Helsinki is on a similar latitude to Shetland). We returned to the hotel around midday to finish packing and clear our rooms, and then went to the coast and marina area of Helsinki. Tuomas pointed out the island where he also did some survey work, and we could see Common Eider and Eurasian Oystercatcher on the shoreline, to add to our tour list. We bought substantial ice creams in a variety of flavours and cones, and wandered along enjoying the sunshine, later driving back through the ferry port. The timing of our flight to London meant we had almost a full day s birdwatching at the end of the holiday. We stopped at an area that we hoped would be good for Greenish Warbler, near a river, and were successful, the bird flitting about the trees around and above us for several minutes. We spent some time Ornitholidays Tour to Finland May 2015 Page 6

8 watching the river, where a Common Sandpiper was feeding, and relaxing. We drove to the airport and checked in with plenty of time for our flight at 19.30, so that we could sit and chat with Tuomas in the café, and thank him for his help with our Helsinki birding. Our flight was a little late, due to being stacked approaching Heathrow, and landed after local time, but our luggage arrived quickly. We said our goodbyes and travelled onwards towards our homes, thinking about our wonderful experiences in Finland. Acknowledgements Antero, Olli and Tuomas were brilliant bird-finders, communicators and safe drivers special thanks to all of them. It was a great pleasure travelling with them in their beautiful country. Very many thanks to Liz, Roger and John for writing this report and to Liz and Roger producing the bird list and providing the photos. Ornitholidays 29, Straight Mile Romsey Hampshire SO51 9BB Tel: info@ornitholidays.co.uk July 2015 Red Squirrel Black Woodpecker Ornitholidays Tour to Finland May 2015 Page 7

9 Itinerary and weather Approximate shade temperatures at dawn and at the warmest part of the day are given. 23 rd May Fly London Heathrow Helsinki, connection to Oulu, arrive Overcast, 9 o C. 24 th May Oulu: Siikajoki, Teppola, Haukipudas. Mixed sun, cloud, breezy. 4 o C - 10 o C. 25 th May Oulu: Sanginjoki, Oritkarri, Haukipudas, Kiimiki, Liminka bay and visitor centre, Muhos. Mostly sunny, less breezy. 3 o C - 14 o C. 26 th May Oulu: Teppola, Oritkarri, Vihreäsaari. Drive to Kuusamo via Taivalkoski. Light rain early, sunny later. 6 o C - 15 o C. 27 th May Kuusamo: Iivara Natioanl Park, Lake Kuusamo. Overcast and some rain. 7 o C - 14 o C. 28 th May Kuusamo: Lakes and river near Kuusamo, Vuotunki, Lake Kuusamo. Early mist clearing, mostly sunny. 5 o C - 14 o C. 29 th May Kuusamo: Vuotunki area. Then fly Kuusamo Helsinki. Sites around Helsinki in evening. Fine, sunny in Kuusamo, overcast in Helsinki. 5 o C - 15 o C. 30 th May Helsinki: sites around Espoo and Helsinki area, Laajalahti. Evening drive north to forest and farmland. Fine, sunny. 5 o C - 15 o C. 31 st May Helsinki: various sites including Viiki and a brief tour of the city and harbour (for icecream), Nuuksio National Park depart Helsinki for London Heathrow. Fine, sun, breeze. 5 o C - 18 o C. Ornitholidays Tour to Finland May 2015 Page 8

10 CHECKLIST OF BIRDS SEEN DURING TOUR No of days recorded Locations Abundance scale 1 2h means seen on 1 day and heard on 2 other days O = Oulu area (65 o N) K = Kuusamo area (66 o N) H = Helsinki area (60 o N) Max individuals seen on one day 1 = = = = 100+ SPECIES No of days recorded Locations Abundance scale SCIENTIFIC NAME Mute Swan 1 K 1 Cygnus olor Whooper Swan 7 O K H 3 Cygnus cygnus Greylag Goose 3 O 3 Anser anser Bean Goose 1 K 1 Anser fabalis Canada Goose 2 H 3 Branta canadensis Barnacle Goose 2 O H 3 Branta leucopsis Common Shelduck 2 O 3 Tadorna tadorna Mallard 8 O K H 3 Anas platyrhynchos Gadwall 6 O K H 2 Anas strepera Northern Pintail 3 O 1 Anas acuta Northern Shoveler 5 O K H 2 Anas clypeata Eurasian Wigeon 7 O K H 2 Anas penelope Eurasian Teal 6 O K H 2 Anas crecca Garganey 3 O 1 Anas querquedula Common Pochard 1 H 1 Aythya ferina Tufted Duck 7 O K H 3 Aythya fuligula Common Eider 1 H 1 Somateria mollissima Velvet Scoter 2 K 3 Melanitta fusca Common Goldeneye 8 O K H 3 Bucephala clangula Smew 2 K 2 Mergellus albellus Goosander 5 O K 1 Mergus merganser Red-breasted Merganser 6 O K H 1 Mergus serrator Willow Ptarmigan (Grouse) 2 O K 1 Lagopus l. lagopus Western Capercaillie 3 O K 2 Tetrao urogallus Black Grouse 3 O K 2 Lyrurus tetrix Hazel Grouse 4 O K 1 Bonasa bonasia Common Pheasant 6 O K H 1 Phasianus colchicus Corncrake - 1h H 1 Crex crex Red-throated Diver 2 O K 1 Gavia stellata Black-throated Diver 4 O K 1 Gavia arctica Slavonian Grebe 2 O H 1 Podiceps auritus Great Crested Grebe 5 O K H 2 Podiceps cristatus Red-necked Grebe 4 O K 2 Podiceps grisegena Great Bittern - 3h O 1 Botaurus stellaris Grey Heron 2 H 1 Ardea cinerea White-tailed Eagle 3 O K 1 Haliaeetus albicilla Osprey 3 O K 1 Pandion haliaetus Western Marsh Harrier 4 O K 1 Circus aeruginosus Eurasian Sparrowhawk 1 O 1 Accipiter nisus Common Kestrel 5 O K 1 Falco tinnunculus Eurasian Hobby 2 O K 1 Falco subbuteo Spotted Crake - 3h O 1 Porzana porzana Common Moorhen 1 H 1 Gallinula chloropus Eurasian Coot 4 O H 1 Fulica atra Common Crane 5 O K 3 Grus grus Eurasian Oystercatcher 1 H 1 Haematopus ostralegus Little Ringed Plover 5 O K H 1 Charadrius dubius Common Ringed Plover 7 O K H 2 Charadrius hiaticula Eurasian Dotterel 1 O 2 Charadrius morinellus Northern Lapwing 5 O H 3 Vanellus vanellus Ornitholidays Tour to Finland May 2015 Page 9

11 Dunlin 1 O 1 Calidris alpina Temminck's Stint 2 O K 1 Calidris temminckii Broad-billed Sandpiper 2 O H 1 Limicola falcinellus Common Sandpiper 8 O K H 1 Actitis hypoleucos Wood Sandpiper 5 O K H 2 Tringa glareola Green Sandpiper 2 1h O K 1 Tringa ochropus Common Redshank 4 O H 1 Tringa totanus Common Greenshank 5 O K 1 Tringa nebularia Black-tailed Godwit 3 O H 1 Limosa limosa Whimbrel 3 1h O K 1 Numenius phaeopus Eurasian Curlew 6 O K 2 Numenius arquata Eurasian Woodcock 2 O H 1 Scolopax rusticola Common Snipe 6 O K H 2 Gallinago gallinago Red-necked Phalarope 1 O 1 Phalaropus lobatus Ruff 3 O K 2 Philomachus pugnax Black-headed Gull 8 O K H 4 Larus ridibundus Common Gull 8 O K H 1 Larus canus Herring Gull 7 O K H 2 Larus argentatus Great Black-backed Gull 2 H 1 Larus marinus Lesser Black-backed (Baltic) Gull 4 O K H 1 Larus fuscus Little Gull 5 O K 3 Larus minutus Little Tern 2 O 1 Sterna albifrons Caspian Tern 2 H 2 Sterna caspia Gull-billed Tern 1 O 1 Gelochelidon nilotica Common Tern 8 O K H 3 Sterna hirundo Arctic Tern 5 O K 1 Sterna paradisea Rock (Feral) Pigeon 6 O K H 2 Columba livia Stock Dove 2 H 2 Columba oenas Common Wood Pigeon 7 O K H 3 Columba palumbus Common Cuckoo 1 7h O K H 1 Cuculus canorus Eurasian Eagle Owl 1 H 1 Bubo bubo Great Grey Owl 2 O K 1 Strix nebulosa Ural Owl 2 O 1 Strix uralensis Northern Hawk Owl 3 O K 1 Surnia ulula Tengmalm's Owl 1 O 1 Aegolius funereus Eurasian Pygmy Owl 2 O K 1 Glaucidium passerinum Short-eared Owl 1 K 1 Asio flammeus Common Swift 7 O K H 3 Apus apus Black Woodpecker 4 O K 1 Dryocopus martius Grey-headed Woodpecker 1 K 1 Picus canus Great Spotted Woodpecker 4 3h O K H 2 Dendrocopos major Three-toed Woodpecker 1 O 1 Picoides tridactylus Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - 1h O 1 Dendrocopos minor Wryneck 1 1h O 1 Jynx torquilla Common Skylark 4 O H 2 Alauda arvensis Common Sand Martin 8 O K H 2 Riparia riparia Barn Swallow 8 O K H 4 Hirundo rustica Common House Martin 4 O K H 2 Delichon urbicum Meadow Pipit 3 O H 1 Anthus pratensis Tree Pipit 6 O K 1 Anthus trivialis White Wagtail 8 O K H 3 Motacilla alba Yellow Wagtail 6 O K H 1 Motacilla flava Citrine Wagtail 1 H 1 Motacilla citreola White-throated Dipper 1 K 1 Cinclus cinclus Bohemian Waxwing 2 K 1 Bombycilla garrulus Dunnock 3 O 1 Prunella modularis European Robin 4 O K H 1 Erithacus rubecula Thrush Nightingale 2 1h K H 1 Luscinia luscinia Red-flanked Bluetail 1 K 1 Tarsiger cyanurus Common Redstart 4 2h O K 1 Phoenicurus phoenicurus Northern Wheatear 3 O K H 1 Oenanthe oenanthe Whinchat 6 O K H 1 Saxicola rubetra Song Thrush 4 O H 1 Turdus philomelos Ornitholidays Tour to Finland May 2015 Page 10

12 Redwing 6 O K 1 Turdus iliacus Mistle Thrush 7 1h O K H 1 Turdus viscivorus Fieldfare 8 O K H 3 Turdus pilaris Common Blackbird 6 O K H 1 Turdus merula Garden Warbler 6 O K H 1 Sylvia borin Blackcap 4 1h O K H 1 Sylvia atricapilla Common Whitethroat 3 O H 1 Sylvia communis Lesser Whitethroat 3 1h O H 1 Sylvia curruca River Warbler 1 K 1 Locustella fluviatilis Sedge Warbler 5 O H 1 Acrocephalus schoenobaenus European Reed Warbler 1 H 1 Acrocephalus scirpaceus Marsh Warbler 1 H 1 Acrocephalus palustris Blyth's Reed Warbler 1 1h H 1 Acrocephalus dumetorum Great Reed Warbler 1 1h H 1 Acrocephalus arundinaceus Icterine Warbler 2 1h K H 1 Hippolais icterina Willow Warbler 8 O K H 3 Phylloscopus trochilus Wood Warbler 2 1h O H 1 Phylloscopus sibilatrix Common Chiffchaff 1 O 1 Phylloscopus collybita Greenish Warbler 1 H 1 Phylloscopus trochiloides Goldcrest 4 2h O K H 1 Regulus regulus Winter Wren - 1h O 1 Troglodytes troglodytes Spotted Flycatcher 3 O H 2 Muscicapa striata Red-breasted Flycatcher (rare) 1 H 1 Ficedula parva Pied Flycatcher 7 O K H 3 Ficedula hypoleuca Great Tit 8 O K H 1 Parus major Eurasian Blue Tit 6 O K H 1 Cyanistes caeruleus Crested Tit 1 O 1 Lophophanes cristatus Siberian Tit 1 K 1 Poecile cinctus Willow Tit 3 O K 1 Poecile montanus Eurasian Penduline Tit 1 H 1 Remiz pendulinus Eurasian Treecreeper 1 H 1 Certhia familiaris Red-backed Shrike 1 H 1 Lanius collurio Common Magpie 8 O K H 2 Pica pica Eurasian Jay 4 O K 1 Garrulus glandarius Siberian Jay 2 O K 1 Perisoreus infaustus Western Jackdaw 8 O K H 3 Corvus monedula Rook 3 O H 2 Corvus frugilegus Hooded Crow 8 O K H 4 Corvus cornix Common Raven 6 O K H 1 Corvus corax Common Starling 4 O H 2 Sturnus vulgaris House Sparrow 7 O K H 2 Passer domesticus Tree Sparrow 1 H 1 Passer montanus Common Chaffinch 8 O K H 3 Fringilla coelebs Brambling 3 1h O K 1 Fringilla montifringilla Common Linnet 1 H 1 Carduelis cannabina Common Redpoll 4 O K 1 Carduelis flammea European Goldfinch 2 K H 1 Carduelis carduelis Eurasian Siskin 6 O K 2 Carduelis spinus European Greenfinch 4 K H 1 Chloris chloris Eurasian Bullfinch 5 O K H 1 Pyrrhula pyrrhula Hawfinch 1 H 1 Coccothraustes coccothraustes Common Crossbill 2 O K 1 Loxia curvirostra Common Rosefinch 4 1h O K H 1 Carpodacus erythrinus Yellowhammer 5 O K H 2 Emberiza citrinella Common Reed Bunting 8 O K H 1 Emberiza schoeniclus Little Bunting 2 O K 1 Emberiza pusilla Rustic Bunting 1 1h O K 1 Emberiza rustica Ortolan Bunting 1 H 1 Emberiza hortulana Ornitholidays Tour to Finland May 2015 Page 11

13 MAMMALS No of days recorded Locations Abundance scale SCIENTIFIC NAME European Hare 6 O K H 3 Lepus capensis Mountain Hare 5 O K 3 Lepus timidus European Rabbit 1 H 1 Oryctolagus cuniculus Muskrat 4 O K 3 Ondatra zibethicus European Red Squirrel 5 O H 1 Sciurus vulgaris Elk (Moose) 1 O 1 Alces alces Reindeer (domesticated) 5 O K 2 Rangifer tarandus Short-tailed Vole 1 K 1 Microtus agrestis Common Lizards were also seen. Butterflies were generally very scarce, but included Green Hairstreak, Green-veined White, Camberwell Beauty. This list represents those birds and other animals seen by party members of this tour. Ornitholidays Northern Hawk Owl Capercaillie Temminck s Stint Hazel Grouse Ornitholidays Tour to Finland May 2015 Page 12

14 Thrush Nightingale Blyth s Reed Warbler Broad-billed Sandpiper Eurasian Eagle Owl Slavonian Grebe Eurasian Pygmy Owl Siberian Jay Front cover: Tengmalm s Owl Mountain Hare All photographs E & R Ackroyd Ornitholidays Tour to Finland May 2015 Page 13