June 27, 2005
Coastal Birding ...
Well ... back from a weekend of coastal birding in the Oulu region. It was great - and perhaps the best part was simply seeing salt water again!! Didn't realize how much I missed it until I actually saw the open waters of Bothnian Bay - the waves rolling in over the rocks, and the distinct smell of ocean. (Heck - when no one was looking, I fair danced a jig on the beach!!!)
The salt water, combined with the weather which was (unlike my Finnish experience thus far) often cool and quite windy, made for a birding experience that was reminiscent of home. Bundled up for an early morning sea-watch and cursing as my scope trembled in the wind ...
I focused almost entirely on coastal birding for this trip ... most passerines and forest-type species I encountered were simply coincidental as I was walking the trails to waterside observation points. The Oulu region offers a variety of wetland habitats from coastal reed marshes to vast sandy beaches, and tidal pools to the open waters of Bothnian Bay. Unfortunately, it was rather quiet, maybe wth the wind keeping many of the waterfowl and waders taking shelter in the grass.
I started with a stop at a swampy pond in Piipola, about halfway along my drive to Oulu, where I encountered Black Tern (Mustatiira) at one of its few breeding sites in this part of Finland. I spent the rest of the day birding around Limingalahti -- a big bay with lots of coastal habitat and a number of birding towers and observation points. Here I found the only known breeding Black-tailed Godwits (Mustapyrstökuiri) in Finland, along with Dunlin (Suosirri), Ruff (Suokukko), and a number of waterfowl species. Both Marsh (Ruskosuohaukka) and Hen Harriers (Sinisuohaukka) were seen hunting over the marshes, and Whooper Swans (Laulujoutsen) and Common Cranes (Kurkki) were peeping out from the tall grass. Sedge Warblers (Ruokokerttunen) and Reed Buntings (Pajusirkku) were abundant everywhere. A pleasant surprise was an adult White-tailed Eagle (Merikotka) being harassed by crows - my first look at this species, which is successfully recovering in numbers in Finland after being threatened for many years.
A few hours at the cape of Tauvo also proved interesting -- seeing both Caspian (Räyskä) and Little Tern (Pikkutiira), as well as Purple Sandpipers (Merisirri). A quick trudge through the forest produced my first Black Woodpecker (Palokärki).
I spent an entire morning at Kemi, searching high and low in cold, damp and windy weather for the famed Terek Sandpiper (Rantakurvi). No success. Enough said. One of my key target species that I only hope I can see during its late-summer migration.
A short ferry trip brought me to the island of Hailuoto, where I spent a full day enjoying the great scenery and fantastic birding. With a variety of coastal habitats, this largest island in Bothnian Bay is a great place to poke around. Along with the more regular species, I saw breeding Greylag Goose (Merihanhi), Common Shelduck (Ristisorsa), and Gadwall (Harmaasorsa). Open mudflats and tidal pools produced scattered shorebirds, such as Ringed Plover (Tylli), Redshank (Punajalkaviklo), Eurasian Oystercatcher (Meriharakka), and Ruddy Turnstone (Karikukko). Interesting coastal passerines included Rock Pipit (Luotokirvinen), Northern Wheatear (Kivitasku) and Yellow Wagtail (Keltavästäräkki). At the fishing harbour, I found myself looking for Great Black-backed Gull (Merilokki) to no avail -- until a fishing boat came in with its daily haul, causing a flurry of gulls that (not surprisingly) included two. Despite sometimes seeing thousands daily back home, I was happy to see my first for this side of the Atlantic.
After a long weekend of coastal birding, I left feeling refreshed ... probably due to the salt water and fresh air!! I also left with a red, wind-burned face - but having seen lots of quality birds and some amazing scenery. Finland continues to amaze me ...
The Oulu region is home to a variety of coastal habitats. (Click to enlarge)
A Ruddy Turnstone (Karikukko) poses for picture along the breakwater of Marjeniemi fishing harbour. (Click to enlarge)
Common Gull (Kalalokki) chicks play on the beach. (Click to enlarge)
A Eurasian Oysercatcher (Meriharakka) ponders lunch. (Click to enlarge)
A male Northern Wheatear (Kivitasku) announces his territory from the nearby boardwalk. (Click to enlarge)
A Meadow Pipit (Nittykirvinen) acting very territorial ... its partner was never far away. (Click to enlarge)