May 27, 2005
Great News ...
I found the Kuopio dump!!! Seriously ... it really is great news. Now, when migration slows down and I'm tired of scouting out new songbirds and sandpipers, I can get down to some real business and watch the gulls feeding at the landfill.
The last few days has been more about getting my research project at the university up and running, and less about birding. But nonetheless, I've managed to sneak in a bit. Why, just walking across campus to visit my rats on Wednesday, I was startled by a high-pitched squeal as 8 newly arrived Common Swifts (Tervapääsky) zipped over my head. Really neat little birds ...
On Tuesday, at a BBQ and sauna outing with some colleagues in Maaninka, I was fortunate enough to catch a Great Bittern (Kaulushaikara) flying past. After hearing several, it was nice to put a face with the voice. A walk behind campus on Wednesday led me to a eye-level Fieldfare (Räkättirastas) nest, complete with four naked, gaping-mouthed chicks!! Gave me a new appreciation for what I have found to be an extremely common (almost bothersome) species.
A trip last evening to listen for night-singers proved somewhat disappointing, as it was quite windy and we really didn't hear much. But there are lots of evenings ahead!! I did manage to hear a couple Common Cuckoos (Käki) calling, and saw my first Whinchats (Pensastasku) near the dump. This afternoon, on a hot tip from a couple local birders, I drove out to Raasio and found the somewhat uncommon Little Stint (Pikkusirri) and two Broad-billed Sandpipers (Jänkäsirriäinen), along with some more regular shorebird species.
Anyhow ... thought I would add a couple pictures now that my computer problem seems to be solved. I apologize for the poor pics ... I've been too busy looking instead photographing, and have had to deal with low light and wind when I have tried.
A Wood Sandpiper (Liro) staking out a roosting place for the evening.
A White Wagtail (Västäräkki), taken in my yard over morning coffee.
One of a large colony of Sand Martins (Törmäpääsky) at Raasio ... checking out the new burrow.