Birding Finland and Sweden 9 th to 20 th May 2017 (12 days)

Birding Finland and Sweden 9 th to 20 th May 2017 (12 days) Ural Owl by David Hoddinott This tour will take us to the coast of northern Finland and to the vast wilderness in the northeast of the country, including the westernmost extension of the Siberian taiga forest, as well as to several beautiful areas in southern Sweden, in search of some really fantastic birds! The most sought-after specialities and definite highlights of the Finland part are certainly the numerous breeding owls, which include Great Grey, Ural, Boreal, Eurasian Pygmy and Short-eared Owl. We will spend significant time in the forests

RBT Finland & Sweden Itinerary 2 and have an excellent chance of seeing them at close range. Other possible forest species include Black Grouse, Western Capercaillie and Black and Eurasian Three-toed Woodpeckers. We will also visit Finland's most important wetland, Liminka Bay, which is excellent for waterfowl and shorebirds. Ruff may be lekking here on the surrounding meadows and fields, representing their colourful collars and tufts. Numerous migratory birds come to rest in this area, while young Common Cranes and Whooper Swans spend their summers in the region. Pallid Harrier and Citrine Wagtail are rare breeding birds that we will also target. In Kuusamo, we can expect encounters with a veritable feast of eastern specialities in the expansive taiga forests and surrounds, including breeding Red-flanked Bluetail, Little and Rustic Bunting, Siberian Jay, Grey-headed Chickadee, Bohemian Waxwing, Black and Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker, Western Capercaillie, Hazel and Black Grouse, Willow Ptarmigan, Red-necked Grebe and Little Gull. In Sweden, we travel to the Island of Öland in the Baltic Sea, a migrant hotspot where thousands of birds stop-over to feed and rest. Here we will be kept busy with various ducks and waders, including Common Eider, Velvet Scoter, Corn Crake, stunning breeding plumaged Red-necked Phalarope and Ruff, as well as Black-tailed Godwit, European Green Woodpecker, Eurasian Golden Oriole, and Red-breasted and European Pied Flycatcher. We then visit Scania, the southernmost province of Sweden, where we will bird in the lowlands searching for Common Crane, White-tailed Eagle, Golden Eagle, Western Osprey, Eurasian Bittern, Red Kite, Black-tailed Godwit, Golden Oriole and Eurasian Penduline Tit, to name just some. Our accommodations are very comfortable throughout and we can expect long summer days surrounded by spectacular landscapes and birds! THE ITINERARY Day 1 Arrival in Oulu Day 2 Day 3 Days 4 & 5 Day 6 Days 7 & 8 Day 9 Days 10 & 11 Day 12 Oulu area Oulu to Kuusamo Kuusamo area THE TOUR AT A GLANCE Fly from Oulu, Finland to Scania, Sweden via Copenhagen, Denmark Scania area Scania to Öland Öland Öland to Kalmar and departure

RBT Finland & Sweden Itinerary 3 TOUR MAP: THE TOUR IN DETAIL Day 1: Arrival in Oulu. On arrival at Oulu airport, you will be met and welcomed by your Rockjumper and local guides before being briefed on the day ahead. We then depart on an afternoon excursion where we will look for a wide selection of European species. Possibilities include Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Western Marsh Harrier, Common and Little Ringed Plovers, Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank, Ruff in splendid breeding plumage, Little, Common and Arctic Terns, Eurasian Wryneck, Hooded Crow, Great and Eurasian Blue Tits, Sedge Warbler, Fieldfare, Redwing, Common Redstart, European Pied Flycatcher, European Greenfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Redpoll, Common Rosefinch, White-tailed Eagle by John Larsen

RBT Finland & Sweden Itinerary 4 Yellowhammer and Common Reed Bunting. In the evening, we will then search for some shy and elusive Finnish owl species, including Eurasian Pygmy and Boreal Owl, which nest between May and June. This is possibly the best time of year to obtain good sightings of these nocturnal species. After a night of birding, we will head back to our hotel in Kempele, close to Oulu. Black Woodpecker by Erik Mølgaard Day 2: Oulu area. We ll spend the majority of today in the coniferous forests of Oulu, where we have a good chance of spotting Black Grouse, Western Capercaillie, Eurasian Wryneck, Lesser Spotted, Black and Eurasian Three-toed Woodpeckers at close range, plus the chance to see some truly magnificent owls: namely Great Grey, Ural and Northern Hawk-. We will also visit Finland s most important wetland, Liminka Bay, 25 km (16 miles) south of Oulu. This is a great location, especially for waterfowl and shorebirds, and targets include Northern Shoveler, Garganey, Little Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Common Greenshank, Ruff and Caspian Tern. Eurasian Bittern can regularly be heard at this site yet are difficult to see, while a few pairs of Red-backed Shrike breed close to the wetland. About 170 bird species occur in the Liminka Bay area. Numerous migratory birds also come to rest here, while hundreds of young Common Cranes and Whooper Swans spend the summer here. Mid May is the migration period of waders, with a good chance to see great numbers of Spotted Redshank, Broad-billed Sandpiper and Ruff, amongst others. If we are lucky and the wind is in the north, we may even witness a fantastic spectacle when hundreds if not thousands of waders can be seen. There are several observation towers providing ideal vantage points to view White-tailed Eagle and Northern and Western Marsh Harriers, while even Pallid Harrier is sometimes viewed from this area. The latter is a rare breeding species in Finland and we would require a healthy dose of luck to see it! During our visit to Liminka Bay, a delicious lunch will be served at Liminganlahti Visitor Centre at the bay. Other birds in Oulu that we have a chance of spotting are Redthroated Loon, Horned Grebe, European Honey Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Corn Crake, Little Tern, European Crested Tit, Common Rosefinch, Ortolan Bunting and Icterine Warbler. After a superb day of birding, we then head back to the hotel to recap the day s events and get a good night s sleep in preparation for the following day s activities. Day 3: Oulu to Kuusamo. Today we drive eastwards through the untamed northern landscape blanketed with forests, boglands and expansive lakes and rivers, to Kuusamo, a small city close to the Russian border. Birding en route, through open boglands, we have a good chance of spotting (Taiga) Bean Goose, Smew, Common Crane, Golden Eagle, Eurasian Hobby, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Western Yellow Wagtail and Northern Grey Eurasian Dotterel by Erik Mølgaard

RBT Finland & Sweden Itinerary 5 Shrike. We will also visit a beautiful part of old Taiga Forest on the way, where we will search for species including Two-barred Crossbill and the rare Pine Grosbeak. Both species are however fairly rare and numbers do vary quite significantly from year to year. The evening will then be spent in the general Kuusamo area where we ll look for Red-necked Grebe, Black-throated Loon, Common Merganser and Little Gull, which nest on the lakeshore. In the more boggy areas, we will search for Broad-billed Sandpiper, Jack Snipe and Red-necked Phalarope. After another exciting day we then head back to our hotel in Kuusamo. Siberian Jay by David Hoddinott Days 4 & 5: Kuusamo area. We have two full days to explore this wonderful area, where we start with an early morning visit to the expansive Taiga Forest. Here where we can expect to encounter a feast of eastern specialties including Red-flanked tail, Greenish Warbler, Two-barred, Red and Parrot Crossbills, Pine Grosbeak, Siberian Jay, Grey-headed Chickadee and Bohemian Waxwing. Other birds that live in the forests are Black and Hazel Grouse, Willow Ptarmigan, Western Capercaillie, further chances for Three-toed and Black Woodpeckers, beautiful Bluethroat and Rustic and Little Buntings, which nest in the boggy areas of the forests, often close to lakes and rivers. White-throated Dipper occurs on some of the rivers winding through the forest. Golden and White-tailed Eagles are rare breeding species in Kuusamo, however we should encounter Western Osprey in this vicinity. Rough-legged Buzzard and Northern Hawk- Owl are also possible in the Kuusamo area. Day 6: Fly from Oulu, Finland to Scania, Sweden via Copenhagen, Denmark. This morning we will board a flight from Oulu (Finland) to Copenhagen (Denmark), before making our way across the border into Sweden. We still have a bit of travelling to get through before reaching our base in Kristianstad. Along the way we will stop for lunch and look for Grey Wagtail and Common Kingfisher, before checking in at our very comfortable accommodations. Here we will be based in the middle of a vast wetland complex and will make an evening excursion to try for Eurasian Bittern, Water Rail, Spotted Crake and Marsh, Reed and Grasshopper Warblers, with outside possibilities for the rare Savi s Warbler. Day 7 & 8: Scania area. We have two full days to bird the Scania area, the southernmost state of Sweden. During our time here, we will head to Håslövs ängar to look for White Stork, Black-tailed Godwit, Western Marsh Harrier and Western Yellow Wagtail, among other wetland birds. We will also make a quick stop at the Visitors Centre of Kristianstad Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve, before we head south to Stenshuvud National Park, a hill with a beautiful view over the Baltic Sea. En route we plan to also make a short stop at Åhus to search for Eurasian Serin. At Stenshuvud we will have Red Kite by Erik Mølgaard

RBT Finland & Sweden Itinerary 6 lunch and watch out for the rare Tawny Pipit, Common Rosefinch, Icterine Warbler, Green and Black Woodpeckers, Woodlark and Common Linnet. We then head towards Hammar where we will search for Corn Bunting at one of its few reliable sites in Sweden, and also Firecrest, if they are around at the time of our visit. After breakfast on either of our days here, we shall walk in the area south of our hotel, which at this time of the year is good for migrating passerines, including additional chances for the handsome but secretive Bluethroat. We then depart for beautiful Fyledalen, where we will no doubt enjoy the scenery while keeping our eyes peeled for various raptors above the valley. We will also visit some small but rewarding swamps that hold Red-necked and, Western Capercaillie by Erik Mølgaard at times, Black-necked Grebe. Moving on towards Krankesjön, we will stop to enjoy our lunch while keeping our ears open for Eurasian Golden Orioles, as well as scanning the sky for Red Kite and White Stork. Tawny Pipit breeds here too, so if we have not yet succeeded with this species we will endeavour to track this tricky bird down. We will then continue to Krankesjön, a lake that is surrounded by a huge reedbed which can be viewed from two lookout towers. Possible birds here include Water Rail, Eurasian Bittern, Western Marsh Harrier, Black Tern, Little Gull, Thrush Nightingale, Eurasian Hobby, Eurasian Penduline Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Bearded Reedling, Eurasian Reed, Sedge and Marsh Warblers, Tree Pipit, Barn Swallow, Sand and Common House Martins, Common Reed Bunting, Whinchat and Thrush Nightingale. Thereafter we will head southwards to Falsterbo to check in to our next hotel, where we ll have the opportunity to either rest or explore the surroundings before our planned evening excursion to Foteviken, This will afford us further chances for vast numbers of wetland species and shorebirds in their striking summer plumage, with possibilities for Common Shelduck, Gadwall, Pied Avocet and Dunlin, among many other possibilities Day 9: Scania to Öland. In the early morning we will drive the short way to Ravlunda Skjutfält, a military training area that is open to the public on most weekends. This area holds the last stronghold for Tawny Pipit in Sweden and we should see several of them displaying over the grasslands here. Eurasian Golden Oriole is often heard at this time of year singing from the treetops. With patience we will see these attractive yellow and black birds flying through the trees. Other birds we will be on the lookout for include Little Ringed Plover, Black, European Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Wryneck, Woodlark, Red-backed Shrike, Northern Wheatear, Garden Warbler and Mistle Thrush. In particular, we will Northern Hawk-Owl by David Hoddinott

RBT Finland & Sweden Itinerary 7 search for the scarce breeding migrants in this area such as Montagu s Harrier, Barred Warbler and the stunning Common Firecrest. Near Åhus we will then bird a lagoon with reedbeds from a tower where we can scan for holarctic waders such as Broad-billed Sandpiper and Little Stint. Other birds here may include the majestic Mute Swan, Common Shelduck, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Sandwich and Little Tern, White Wagtail, Eurasian Reed and Sedge Warbler and Common Reed Bunting. Our last stop in Scania will be at Håslövs Ängar, a marsh area near the huge Lake Hammersjön, where several breeding pairs of Black-tailed Godwit occur, as well as Common Redshank, Northern Lapwing and possibly Ruff. In the small lakes we will look for Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose, Black and Common Tern, and the stunning little Eurasian Penduline Tit. Later we will drive to Öland, an island on the Swedish east coast in the Baltic Sea. Here we will be based for two nights at a charming and comfortable family-run guesthouse that was Eurasian Bittern by David Shackelford formerly a traditional Öland farmhouse, built in the classic island style. Wholesome home-cooking will be provided! Days 10 & 11: Öland. Öland has a rich blend of natural, cultural and historical attractions: The Great Alvar Plain, divided by dry stone walls and pasturelands; linear villages fashioned way back in the Middle Ages; the many ancient Iron Age, Stone Age and medieval remains; plus an exceptional flora and rich birdlife have all earned southern Öland its World Heritage status. Today we will visit the famous Ottenby Bird Observatory and Nature Reserve, established in 1946. Here, tired spring migrants rest and feed in the bushy gardens around the old stone lighthouse or in the adjacent meadows after their 300-kilometre northbound journey across the Baltic Sea. Mid May is the peak period for species such as Bluethroat of northern Scandinavia, which pass by this site on their northbound migration. This time of the year can also be excellent for vagrants from eastern and southeastern Europe, and some of those we will be on the lookout for include Red-rumped Swallow, Short-toed Lark, Citrine Wagtail and Marsh and Terek Sandpipers. To the north-east of the observatory lies the wet meadowland of Schäferiängarna. This area has benefitted from centuries of hay-making and grazing by cattle, resulting in a region that holds both a very rich birdlife as well as flora. Common, Spotted and Green-winged Orchids, along with different grasses and sedges are present, making the meadows very colourful indeed. These meadows are also a suitable place for breeding waders including Common Ringed Plover, Pied Avocet, Ruff, Ruddy Turnstone, Eurasian Curlew Montagu s Harrier by Marius Coetzee and Dunlin. Typical migrant waders (in full

RBT Finland & Sweden Itinerary 8 breeding plumage) of northern Scandinavia, such as Spotted Redshank, Broad-billed Sandpiper and Temminck s Stint, may also be found. If we are lucky, we might even locate Eurasian Dotterel, as small numbers can typically be seen using the surrounding farmlands as stopover points during periods of unstable weather. Inland and to the north-west of these meadows is Ottenbylund, the largest continuous deciduous woodland area on Southern Öland. Here, the dominant birch and oak trees host rare breeding species such as Eurasian Wryneck, Thrush Nightingale, Icterine and Barred Warblers, and Spotted and Collared Flycatchers; all of whose songs will fill the wood at the time of our visit. This area also holds a wealth of commoner summer visitors including Common Redstart, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff and Willow, Wood and Garden Warblers. Interestingly, the forest is inhabited by 200 or so descendants of the Fallow Deer that Sweden s King John III introduced to Bluethroat by Glyn Sellors the region in 1569. At that time, large areas consisted of open meadow but, in 1694, King Karl XI fenced all the domestic grazing animals out of the forest to protect its young oak trees, with the result that, today, the adult oaks are over 300 years old. Breeding birds of this area include Common Snipe, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Common Ringed Plover, Northern Lapwing, Ruddy Turnstone, Common Redshank, Little Tern and Northern Wheatear. Ottenby also hosts the remains of an early Stone Age dwelling place, and the general area is rich in stone walls and house foundations stemming way back from the Iron Age. Långe Jan Lighthouse (the tallest in Sweden) was built here in 1784 using stone from the nearby St. John s chapel, whilst at nearby Kyrkhamn there are the remains of a Middle Age fishing village. On our second morning here we may choose to return to Ottenby to look for any newly arrived migrants in the Lighthouse garden. If we are lucky, thousands of Brant Goose will pass this point on their way to their breeding grounds in Siberia. Later, we will focus on the most striking characteristic of Öland, the Great Alvar Plain. An alvar occurs on hard limestone bedrock and is a flat, treeless area where bare rock breaks through thin soil. The Great Alvar Plain is the largest grazed alvar in the world (being 37 kilometres long by 15 kilometres wide), an extensive limestone plateau strewn with windswept junipers and granite erratic s deposited in this limestone land during the last ice age, eleven thousand years ago. This plateau has been grazed continuously from the Neolithic period until relatively recently; and, in early summer, it is literally carpeted by Elder-flowered and Early Purple Orchids; truly a sight to behold! Raptors are often in view and may include Common and European Honey Buzzards, Northern Goshawk, Montagu s Harrier, Common Kestrel and Eurasian Hobby. Along the rocky coastline are several good birding spots where we will search for Common Eider, Red-flanked Bluetail by Jari Peltomaki

RBT Finland & Sweden Itinerary 9 Velvet Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Lesser and Greater Black-backed Gulls, Pied Avocet, Grey Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope and Meadow Pipit. Day 12: Öland to Kalmar and departure. We have a few more hours to bird locally before making the short drive from our hotel to Kalmar Airport where the tour will end. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: Tour dates, prices, single supplement rates, approximate flight costs and spaces available for this tour are displayed on our website. Please see under IMPORTANT NOTES below. This includes: On selected tours we are able to arrange free transfers to our specified hotel or airport, within 3 days of the beginning or end of the main tour. However, since our capacity to offer this service can vary from tour to tour, details of this option will be sent to you upon confirmation of this tour; All meals from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 12; All lodgings; Ground transportation; Reserve entrance fees; Extra activities as mentioned in the itinerary; and All guiding services (including tips for local guides and services). The tour fee does not include: Visa fees; ANY flights; Any beverages (including mini-bar charges at hotels); Special gratuities; Telephone calls and Laundry and other items of a personal nature. Single Supplement: The single supplement cost for this tour will be charged if you wish to have single accommodation. If RBT cannot provide you with a rooming partner for these nights although you choose to share, the single supplement will become applicable. We will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that a rooming partner is found if you do wish to share. IMPORTANT NOTES: a) Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we quote our tours in 4 currencies. The tour price is however fixed only in the currency printed in bold, and the actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing (usually 4 months before the tour.) The same applies to approximate flight and single supplement rates, which are also quoted in the respective fixed currency. b) Rates are based upon group tariffs; if the tour does not have sufficient registration a small party supplement will have to be charged.

RBT Finland & Sweden Itinerary 10 c) Furthermore, these costs are subject to unforeseen increases in tour related costs and may have to be adjusted as a result. d) Lastly, we may be forced to change or alter the itinerary and / or the designated Rockjumper leader/s at short or no notice due to unforeseen circumstances; please be aware that we will attempt to adhere as close to the original program as possible. Tipping: As noted above, gratuities (drivers, hotel staff, restaurants etc.) are included on this tour. However, this does NOT include your Rockjumper leader/s. If, therefore, you feel that he/they have given you excellent service, it is entirely appropriate to tip them. Special Notes: This tour does spend quite a lot of time birding on foot. Many of the walks are gentle in nature, through the woods and pastures of the lowlands. It does also include both full-day and half-day walks in the mountains, so an enjoyment of walking and a reasonable level of fitness are required. None of the walks are particularly demanding. All walks, however, are optional. ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE DETAILS: This tour does not include any airfares. The tour will depart from Finland s Oulu Airport (IATA: OUL) on day 1, and will conclude on day 12 at Sweden s Kalmar Airport (IATA: KLR). The above information in respect of arrivals and departures is a guide only. Precise arrival and departure information will be sent to you in your Tour Confirmation package once the tour has been officially confirmed. If you wish to arrive early and/or depart late and would like assistance in this regard, kindly contact the Rockjumper office. FLIGHTS: Oulu Airport (IATA: OUL) is easily reached via Helsinki International Airport (IATA: HEL), the main international port of entry into Finland. Departuring from Kalmar, Sweden is easiest via Stockholm International Airport (IATA: ARN). We have the capacity to advise you on the best route according to your preferences, but your local travel agent will best be able to book these flights for you. HOWEVER: please DO NOT book your international flights until you have consulted the Rockjumper office for confirmation on the status of the tour. Rockjumper Birding Ltd c/o Summit Trust Mauritius Limited Labourdonnais Village Mapou Mauritius Tel (USA & Canada) toll free: 1-888-990-5552 Email: info@rockjumperbirding.com Alternative email: rockjumperbirding@yahoo.com Website: www.rockjumperbirding.com