Bad Finnish Birdwatcher

Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - Early spring in Porkkala

On Saturday we did a trip to Porkkala to watch migration. Truly a premier spot to welcome the first arriving spring migrants. We arrived late, the sun had been up for a while already. But alas! No birders present! Highly unusual to be able to arrive to Porkkala in spring with the sea free of ice and not see any other birders. In April and May such a situation will be virtually impossible - unless it happens to rain. Eventually a few more people did arrive but only a handful. I'm used to standing there in a crowd of a hundred...

We got just what I had been hoping for - and more. The early spring migrants, such as Skylarks, Eiders, Stock Doves, Eurasian Buzzards, a Rook, a flock of Velvet Scoters, Red-breasted Mergansers... Some species that are common also in the winter were also on the move, Goldeneyes, Goosanders, flocks of Long-tailed Ducks, Crows and Swans (both species).

Highlight of the day was a 2nd cy Black-legged Kittiwake that came from the East and flew slowly past at a nice distance. It was in no hurry to get anywhere in particular and after flying left and right for a while it disappeared behind a nearby island. It's apparently been present for a while already but for us it was a surprise.

All the migrating Larks we saw were for some reason heading South, perhaps they knew what was to come in the afternoon - by the time I got home the sky was full of big, fat, white snowflakes floating down.

Post A Comment!

<- Last Page :: Next Page ->

Me - Timo Janhonen

Fabulous birding adventures on the south coast of Finland.

Stuff

• Home
• View my profile
• Archives
• Friends
• Email Me





Add to Technorati Favorites