May 09, 2005
The Hardest Part Was Staying Awake ...
Well, no rain on my first weekend in Finland. But it was a busy one …
We hosted a small party Friday night, and watched a World Hockey Championship game between Finland and the USA (They take their hockey very seriously here!!). It was a nice time – until I had to roll out of bed again at 3:30am to join a national birding competition.
It was already light outside when a local birder picked me up at 4:00. We drove to Varkaus (~75 km S), where I was part of a four-person team. The goal was to spot as many birds and species as possible from one location, so we set up near a small wharf on a large lake and started in on 8 hours of scanning the horizon for spring migrants. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a cold, overcast day and things were relatively slow -- for the Fins at least … I managed to walk away having seen quite a few new species. The highlights were three Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers (Pikkutikka) which were calling and drumming in the nearby woods, as well as a number of Black-throated Divers (Arctic Loon / Kuikka). I also enjoyed quick looks at my first Common Cranes (Kurki) and Whooper Swans (Laulujoutsen – the Finnish national bird). Little Gulls (Pikkulokki) and nominate Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Selkälokki) were also a bit of a treat. A short trip after the competition ended (with a team total of 58 species) allowed me to see a female Ural Owl (Viirupöllö) peeking out from a nest box, and a female Pied Flycatcher (Kirjosieppo). Unfortunately, a tromp around a field known by local birders as a staging ground for migrating Jack Snipe produced only a handful of Common Snipe (Taivaanvuohi) and some very vocal Northern Lapwings (Töyhtöhyyppä).
After another late night checking out some local pubs and bars, I managed to sneak in a few more short hours of sleep before my next birding adventure. Another birder (and chair of the local birding club) was kind enough to take me to Raasio, where a large mining pit has become an active bird lake of sorts. Quite a number of shorebirds were poking around on the shoreline, and I was fortunate enough to bump into quite a few new species. While a single Bar-tailed Godwit (Punakuiri) was especially regal looking, my finding of two Black-tailed Godwit (Mustapyrstökuiri) stopping in on their way northwards was enough to get a few more birders out to see them. Greenshanks (Valkoviklo), Common (Punajalkaviklo) and Spotted Redshanks (Mustaviklo), Wood Sandpipers (Liro) and Ruffs (Suokukko) were abundant, while a few Common (Tylli) and Little Ringed Plovers (Pikkutylli) were also nice to see. My first Smew (Uivelo), Reed Bunting (Pajusirkku), and Tree Pipits (MetsAkirvinen) added to the enjoyment of a beautiful day (sunny, calm, 15 degrees) out.
A view of the Kuopio centrum from the heights of Puijo Tower ...
(Click for larger image)