It seems my postings have become more and more sparse ... For obvious reasons, I guess. I haven't been doing much birding.
The last few weeks have been split between working on my research at the university and enjoying a short holiday (albeit birdless). Late last week, I left to visit Stockholm for a few days. To make the trip even more interesting, I travelled by cruise ship across the Baltic Sea -- leaving from Turku and returning via Helsinki. It was a great trip, and I was both inspired and humbled by the beauty and history of the Swedish capital. (For more details and pictures of the trip, feel free to visit my website at http://jaredclarke.20m.com)
The only birds of any interest on the trip were noted from the ferry -- a few Great Black-backed Gulls (Merilokki) amongst the other more numerous larid species, two flocks of Long-tailed Ducks (Alli), and a White-tailed Eagle (Merikotka).
Earlier in the week, I did make an evening trip to Hamminalahti - where I was entertained by a pair of Eurasian Kestrels (Tuulihaukka) at very close range. A Northern Harrier (Sinisuohaukka) also made a pass or two over the nearby meadows, and another large raptor escaped unidentified. Lots of Greenfinches (Viherpeippo) and Barn Swallows (Haarapääsky) were on the move, and one Whinchat (Pensastasku) posed briefly on a wire.
Posted by jaredclarke at August 26, 2005 03:08 PM