Jared Goes to Finland

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.

Slow Weekend

Despite some beautiful weather, this turned out to be a pretty slow weekend for me. I spent Friday evening (and, well, much of early Saturday morning) celebrating my friend's PhD dissertation. That, of course, meant I was in no shape to be birding - let alone driving (or walking, for that matter) - for much of the next day.

But I did manage to haul myself to Raasio for a few hours in the mid-afternoon. After narrowly missing some Eurasian Dotterels reported in Siilinjarvi Friday afternoon, I was hoping for some shorebird migration. I was disappointed, and could count the total number of shorebirds on my fingers. Some patience paid off, though, when my first Temminick's Stint (Lapinsirri) flew in and fed on the shoreline in front of me for a while. There were also many Sand Martins (Bank Swallow / Törmäpääsky), and I enjoyed being able to sit and watch them zipping around and diving into their burrows.

I spent Sunday close to home, with an afternoon walk in the forests of Puijo. This is an absolutely beautiful, old-growth forest with low, green undergrowth - but it is very difficult to see the birds which hide waaaay up in the treetops. But I did manage to score the two species I was searching for -- a drumming Three-toed Woodpecker (Pohjantikka) and amazing looks at a very cute-looking Treecreeper (Puukiipijä).

** I'm hoping to add a few pictures soon, but am having computer probs -- Stay tuned **

A Few More ...

The weather the last two weeks has been very reminiscent of spring in Newfoundland ... unpredictable. One day its sunny and warm, the next chilly and wet. Yesterday alone, it was pouring in the morning, clear and beautiful at lunchtime, raining again at 3:00pm, sunny at 4:00, a thunderstorm at 6:00, and a bright, sunny evening by 7:30pm. Gotta love it ...

Even though I haven't been out doing much birding this week, I did manage to scrape up a few new species -- new birds are arriving daily. A quick drive just north of the city produced a Sky Lark (Kiuru) sitting in a meadow, and a walk on university campus found my first Spotted Flycatcher (Harmaasieppo). A call from my friend Hannu caused me to drive out to Suonenjoki, where I was fortunate to see a lone Pink-footed Goose (Lyhytnokkahanhi) which had wandered off course. The number of passerines seems to have picked up over the past few days, and the chorus of subtly unfamiliar songs (though I am learning a few) is increasing on my daily strolls.

My plans to travel to Virolahti in SE Finland have been put aside due to other commitments this weekend, so it looks like I will miss that part of arctic migration. I'll have to make due with local adventures, and maybe focus on migrating shorebirds and newly arriving songbirds.

Wood, Stock 'n' Rock

Nope ... I'm not talking about a hippie love-in and music-fest. I'm talking about the pigeons.

Like any city these days, there are lots of Rock Pigeons (Kesykyyhky) milling about in Kuopio. Not sure if it's good or bad, but they don't seem to have the kaleidoscope of colours and plumages of my native St. John's pigeons!! The somewhat similar Stock Pigeon (Uuttukyyhky) has been elusive thus far ... or at least I haven't seen one that I'm comfortable calling yet. I guess it takes some experience. On the other hand, I have enjoyed several encounters with the much more handsome Wood Pigeon (Sepelkyyhky) - which I'm happy to report keep to the forests and farm fields rather than the city markets!!

Two things surprised me, though ... First, the utter lack of European Starlings (Kottarainen)!! I've only seen a handful in the two weeks I've been here ... not that I'm complaining, mind you. A local birder informed me that the Starling population in Finland crashed about a decade or so ago ... the reason is unknown, although there are a few theories which involve lighthouses and French farmers (Need I say more?!?!). Apparently the population across the border in Russia has remained much healthier.

Secondly, I was enjoying a coffee in the Tori (town centre and market area) the other day when I started noticing these very dark pigeons in the distance. It was only after one approaced much closer that I realized it was, in fact, a Jackdaw (Naakka). For some reason, I didn't expect to find Jackdaws picking at scraps and hanging about in urbans areas - but here they were. Urban corvids of northern Europe.

Despite my plans to start work in earnest this week, it turns out I might have this weekend off. I'm considering a trip to SE Finland to catch the famous arctic migration ...

Bongaus Bust

Well ... I may not have seen the Red-flanked Bluetail, but it sure was a great trip.

Following work on Friday, I drove to Suonenjoki (~50km SW) and met up with Hannu. A few hours of birding in the immediate area proved to be quite productive ... The most stunning bird being Yellow Wagtail (Keltavästäräkki) on a farm field with a number of Golden Plovers (Kapustarinta). In Rautalampi, we had amazing views of a Ural Owl (Viirupöllö), as the male stared us down and gave clear warning hoots, even snapping his beak to scare us away from the nearby nest box. I tried to take pics, but the light was dim and the owl was getting quite perturbed (Ural Owls are infamous for aggressive behaviour near the nest, and have been known to maim people on occasion!!), so we felt it best to retreat.

Also near Rautalampi, we saw a total of 5 Short-eared Owls (Suopöllö), getting very close to one for breath-taking looks. Across the field were 5 male Black Grouse (Teeri) displaying and fighting. Quite the show!! Other highlights were a calling Great Bittern (Kaulushaikara), a Rook (Mustavaris), and point-blank looks at a number of Wood Sandpipers (Liro). We were still birding in decent light at 11:00pm!!

We drove overnight to Keuruu, where the Bluetail had been reported. After a quick nap, we walked in to the site and made a steep climb to the heights enjoyed by this species. A few hours of trekking around proved fruitless. It was a large area, with very tall trees. If the bird wasn't singing, it wasn't going to be found. My first "bongaus" was a bust. I'll have to score Bluetail elsewhere ...

After dropping my friend Hannu back at home, I decided to do some birding on my own in the Suonenjoki area. Happy I did ... random stops produced very close looks at my first Bluethroat (Sinirinta), Bullfinch (Punatulkku), and Hazel Grouse (Pyy).

Sunday morning I set out on a return trip to nearby Raasio, where the cool winds kept everything pretty quiet -- far less shorebirds than I saw there a week earlier. But my first Common Pochard (Punasotka) was a bit of a consellation.

And then I watched the big hockey game. Ugh. I don't even want to talk about that.

My First Bongaus

"Bongaus" is the Finnish equivalent to "twitch", and that's exactly what I'll be doing this evening and tommorrow morning. My friend Hannu has kindly volunteered to accompany me to Keuruu to chase the Red-flanked Bluetail (Sinipyrtsö) which has been singing there. I only hope it has stuck around ...

Of course, the trip is also a chance for me to look for a few other species ... including Wood Lark (Kangaskiuru), Eurasian Nightjar (Kehrääjä), and Hazel Grouse (Pyy).

Tune in next week to see how my first "bongaus" turns out!!

Jokamiehenoikeus

Roughly translated, it means "Everyman's right". This is a uniquely Finnish concept which entitles everybody to the right to move around freely in order to enjoy or appreciate nature, regardless of land ownership. It speaks loudly about the importance of nature and stewardship in Finland's culture, and the broadly held value that the natural environment belongs to all. And, even as a visitor I already feel very comfortable birding here.

The birding community, while being MUCH larger than the one I am accustomed to in Newfoundland, is a very open and friendly one. Having been here just a week, I've already met a number of great people who have went out of their way to invite me on excursions, take me to interesting places known to the locals, and make me feel welcome. More often than not, when my phone rings it is a birder who I haven't even met yet, checking up to see if I'm available for an upcoming trip ...

Unfortunately, the restrictions of my work will interefere with my ability to bird during the next few key weeks, when migration brings in eastern vagrants, and singing is at its peak. In fact, I plan to chase an out-of-range Red-flanked Bluetail (Sinipyrstö) this weekend -- This is a "must-see" species while I am in Finland, and otherwise could be near impossible to get without a trip up north in the next three weeks.

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)

In and Out

It's a gradual process, but I'm settling in.

I did manage to get out for a couple short walks on Wednesday. Most of the larger lakes here in Kuopio are still patially ice-covered, but some birds are gathering where there is open water. I was a little surprised to discover that the most common duck was Mallard, at least in the city (although it does make me a feel a bit more at home!), followed closely by Common Goldeneye. It was nice, though, to see a number of Great Crested Grebes hanging out close to shore.

The birds that seem to excite me most, momentarily at least, are the ones which we look out for back in Newfoundland as possible cross-Atlantic vagrants. It was rather difficult to suppress the sudden urge to scream out when I saw a Redwing and a Fieldfare in the same tree!! And I was pretty thrilled by my first close looks at a pair of White Wagtails Wednesday evening, until I realized they are so common here that they often feed on the lawns with House Sparrows.

Yesterday was a public holiday in Finland, so my friend Anna and I decided to head out of town and to Koli National Park (~150km NE). The scenery on the drive alone blew me away - rich, tall forests of pine, spruce and birch surrounded by lakes and wetlands, and dotted throughout with beautiful, rolling farmlands. Koli itself rises high above the rest of the landscape, offering magnificent views over the lakes, islands and eskers that were carved out eons ago by glaciers. It was difficult to see most of the birds that were singing, but my first Goldcrest was a treat - a comical little fellow flitting around restlessly, looking and sounding very much like the kinglets back home. Great and Willow Tits sang and chattered, and a Blackbird surprised me with a beautiful song I was far from expecting.

The clouds are gathering as I write this. I hope that my first weekend here is not rained out ...

My first full day in Kuopio was a busy one ... Between setting up the new flat, organizing myself at the university, and getting a tour of the Neurosciences department, I didn't have much time for exploring outdoors.

What I did notice during my short time outside was the song ... Amazing how similar it seems to the chorus I'm used to on the other side of the ocean. The songs are strangely familiar, and I often find myself thinking I'm surrounded by familiar birds ... finches and wood warblers, especially. So similar, yet perceptively different. Like someone just released a "re-mixed" version of the North American songs.

I did manage to pick up a few species ... I woke up to a pair of Magpies outside my kitchen window, Common Gulls flying overhead, a Eurasian Jay on my way to a traditional Finnish smoke sauna, and a few Common Goldeneye diving in still half-frozen lakes. Happy to report I still haven't crossed paths with a starling!!

Corvid Cousins

After a hectic few days of getting my life in order and packing up (as well as agonizing over the invasion of European vagrants that was happening around me at the most inconvenient time), I was finally ready to start my adventures ... The last bird I saw in North America, not surprisingly, was an American Crow on my way to the airport.

My first European bird, ironically but again not surprisingly, was Carrion Crow, with a pair carrying nesting material outside my terminal window in Frankfurt, Germany.

I was amazed at how quiet things were in Helsinke airport ... Lots of people, but eerily relaxed for an airport. I guess the "rumours" are true, and people in Finland really are laid back. Maybe I will fit in here afterall ...

Thinking that my first bird in Finland would be something mundane, like a starling, I was pleasantly surprised when a short walk outside Helsinke airport while waiting for my last flight produced a Lesser Whitethroat flitting around in a hedge. That was followed by a Hooded Crow, a few Greenfinches, a White Wagtail, and a Blackbird. It was sunny and ~10 degrees ... Life in Finland is good thus far.