Bad Finnish Birdwatcher

Friday, March 30, 2007 - Mad March (the month, not a militant walk)

The autumn was long and warm, it actually ended in February. Then there was a very short, fairly cold (I guess) winter. And now, a record-breakingly early and warm spring. The all-time warmest temperature in March was broken a few days ago. 16,9 degrees Celsius is the new record. So - now I'm seeing birds I would normally (normal being an average spring) see a month later. And with a very small effort I might add.

An example. Today I went for a short bike-trip and took - as always (hey! I'm a birdwatcher) - my binoculars with me. So I ended up in Viikki. The bay was already mostly free of ice and there were plenty of waterfowl. For example six (6) species of ducks of the Anas -family: Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Garganey and Shoveler. Garganey and Shoveler in March are really quite something. I could and I guess I should go on and on about how few records there are of them this early, but somehow the warm weather has tricked my brain into believing that this is OK. [Those birders who count month-ticks were pleased with the Shoveler by the way.]

On a short afternoon bike-trip I saw about 50 species. So, there would be a lot more to write about, but I'm going birding in six hours so I won't.  Tomorrow is the last day of March and I think I have a nice chance to break 100 year-ticks in my local birding club area. In all of Finland it's broken already. In March!
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Me - Timo Janhonen

Fabulous birding adventures on the south coast of Finland.

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