Jared Goes to Finland

Birdless Holiday ...

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.

Picture Imperfect (and why I hate digiscoping)

A slight change of pace this weekend, as I headed NE to the Kuhmo region to watch Brown Bears (Karhu) on the Russian border. After arriving in Tarvius and meeting the group and tour guide, we made the short trek to the "hide" shortly after 5pm. It was a great evening - we had amazing looks at 6 different bears throughout the evening and night, although the local wolverine failed to make an appearance. (For tour info, check out www.wildbrownbears.fi)

Unfortunately, after arriving in the hide and setting up my camera gear, I realized that in my morning rush I had bought the wrong film!! Stuck only with the option of using my digital camera, I ended up being unable to capture any good pics -- despite the great evening light. Digiscoping was completely useless ... anyone familiar with the practice knows that it requires far too much light, and it is nearly impossible to photograph anything moving. Besides, the bears were actually too close for digiscoping -- I could hardly even fit a full headshot into a frame!! Despite my photographing woes, I enjoyed the bears fully, along with the company of a nice Finnish couple, two interesting Dutch guys, and a great tour leader (who also happened to be rather cute).

Just as exciting as the bears, we had a close encounter with an adult White-tailed Eagle (Merikotka), which at one point soared as close as 10m in front of the hide, affording spectacular views!! (Again -- impossible to get a photo).

After a relaxing morning at the lodge (breakfast, sauna, a swim, and great conversation), I took my time on the 300km drive home, enjoying the beautiful day and stopping to explore a number of places. It paid off ... I saw a Great Grey Shrike (Isolepinkäinen) on a farm road near Kuhmo, and some other interesting birds such as Bohemian Waxwing (Tilhi) and Parrot Crossbill (Isokäpylintu). Raptors on the trip included a Black Kite (Haarahaukka), two Common Buzzards (Hiirihaukka) soaring over the lake as I enjoyed my morning swim, and two Honey Buzzards (Mehiläishaukka) circling a hilltop when I stopped to stretch my legs in North Karelia.

A great way to spend the weekend ...

Digiscoping the bears resulted in poor "half-head shots", like this one ... blurry and hardly worth keeping. (Click to enlarge)

Using just the digital camera, heavily cropped images like this were the best I could do. Pretty disappointing. (Click to enlarge)

Digiscoping only works for cooperative critters that stay still, like this Hooded Crow (Varis). (Click to enlarge)

... Or this Great Grey Shrike (Isolepinkäinen). (Click to enlarge)

Weather Woes

Despite the fact that it has generally been quite pleasant lately, the weather seems to be getting the best of me whenever I decide to venutre out birding ...

Late last week, I went for an evening stroll to a park near my flat - mostly to stretch my legs, but also in hopes of seeing a Grey Heron which had been seen there the day before. It was a bright and sunny when I stepped out my door. I guess I didn't see it coming, sneaking up on me from behind as I walked down the quiet sidestreets. In fact, I didn't notice it until I reached the farthest point of land in the park -- a dark, menacing cloud closing in fast. I accepted my fate, knowing I couldn't outrun it if I wanted to. I was in the kind of mood to get rained on anyways ... Bring it on.

The sky darkened, and the birds became eerily silent. It started as a low rustle in the leaves, and grew to dull roar as the trees began to tremble and the wind whipped dust around my face. I could even hear the rain rushing towards me across the lake!!

The sky had already started to brighten by the time I got home ... wet and heron-less, but surprisingly refreshed!!

After having to work on Sunday, I took advantage of the overcast weather in the late afternoon to watch the gulls at the local dump. By the time I had set up and began to scan through the 300+ gulls, the sky began to darken and the rain started. After another 20 minutes of heavy downpour, my "this is probably just a shower" theory was soundly defeated and I slogged my way home, with only one juvenile Heuglin's Gull (L.f. heuglini; Selkälokki) to show for my troubles. Despite watching the birds flush a number of times, the only raptors were a Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Varpushaukka) and a Northern Harrier (Sinisuohaukka).

Taking advantage of a more flexible schedule and bright skies, I scooted off this morning to "Musti" - a large man-made lake (a mining pit reservoir, actually) which can be excellent for shorebirds. Unfortunately, my luck was not much better as strong winds and harsh light made for less than ideal viewing conditions. While the variety and number of shorebirds was less than I had hoped, I did manage to scout out my first Sanderling (Pulmusirri) for Finland. The vast majority of birds were once again Ruffs (Suokukko) and Wood Sandpipers (Liro), with a few Common Greenshanks (Valkoviklo) and Dunlin (Suosirri) thrown in for good measure. One Curlew Sandpiper (Kuovisirri) and a pair of Northern Wheatears (Kivitasku) proved to be the only other interesting species.

A Common Redshank (Punajalkaviklo) admires its own reflection ... (Click to enlarge)

A Common Ringed Plover (Tylli) just hanging out ... (Click to enlarge)

Shorebird Shuffle ...

A poke around a few of the shorebird hotspots in nearby Siilinjärvi last evening was sure indication that shorebird migration is well underway in Finland.

While there were no rarities, a number of the usual suspects were milling around the mudflats in good numbers. Wood Sandpipers (Liro) were especially abundant, but one location saw them outnumbered by Ruffs (Suokukko). Also making a strong presence were Common Ringed Plovers (Tylli) and Temminick's Stints (Lapinsirri). A few Dunlin (Suosirri), Curlews (Kuovi), Common Sandpipers (Rantasipi) and Common Greenshanks (Valkoviklo) rounded out the majority, while Common (Punajalkaviklo) and Spotted Redshanks (Mustaviklo) added some spice.

Especially interesting was the chance to see a few of these birds up close and personal while being ringed at Raasio. Amazing how small these critters really are ...