Photos with this report (click to enlarge) | |||
 Great Grey Owl |
 tengalm's owl |
 Ural Owl |
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 Siberian Jay |
 red flanked Bluetail |
 Common Rosefinch |
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A report of a trip made by Brian Bates (Highland), Simon Busuttil (Grampian), Chris Donald (Highland), Keith Duncan (Highland), Andy Jensen (Morayshire), Tim Nicholson (Suffolk), Mark Nowers (Suffolk), and Bob Swann (Highland), with Finnature guide, Harri Taavetti
This report gives details of the birds seen and the sites visited during five days birding in north Finland. The trip was organised by Chris Donald, in conjunction with Finnature. We hired a Kia people carrier from Europcar, Inverness and six of us travelled down from the north of Scotland on the 15th of May (departing at 2.30am!) to Stanstead Airport where we met up with the Suffolk contingent. The drive down took nine hours. We then flew by Ryanair to Tampere. On arrival we collected a mini-bus (pre booked by Finnature for us, though it was an eight seater rather than the 9 seater we had asked for) and drove north for six hours through the night to Varminkoski just south of Liminka. Finnature had arranged accommodation for us in a large chalet. At the chalet we met Harri Taavetti our Finnature guide, who was to be with us throughout the trip.
16th May. The drive north from Tampere took 6 hours. By 0150 the sky was reddening from the north and we began to see things such as our first Elk and both Brown and Arctic Hares by the roadside. We also saw our first birds. Some very pale Short-eared Owls hunting in forest clearings. After meeting up with Harri and having some breakfast we decided to head south to look for harriers. Just south of Vihanti are some open areas of agricultural land. In the arable fields were large flocks of Golden Plover, with Lapwing, Curlew, Ruff and a Whimbrel. Amongst the Common and Black-headed Gulls were 3 superb adult Little Gulls, with their sooty black heads. It had started to drizzle as we headed slightly further east to an area of forestry. Here Harri soon located an adult Capercaille in full display. It was quite an aggressive bird and came rushing up to us as it displayed, giving excellent views. We also heard Crested Tits and had close views of a Greyhen. We headed on to more arable land east of Oulainen. It had now started sleeting! Here we had three Short-eared Owls hunting, two of which were very pale, but no harriers. We also heard our first Redwings, their songs are very variable, and saw our first Fieldfares and recently arrived Willow Warblers. From ditches we flushed 12 Wood Sandpipers and had brief views of two Bluethroats and 3 Grey-headed Wagtails. We also saw a very nice Water Vole eating willow catkins. It was now quite wet so we decided to return to the chalet and catch up with some sleep. The chalet was in a woodland clearing with a large pond. On the edge of the pond were a White Wagtail, a Wood Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper, whilst in nearby trees were 2 Eurasian Jays, 1 pair Pied Flycatcher, 1 pair Common Redstart and 7 Waxwings.
We slept for 4 hours and then went for a tasty buffet lunch at a nearby service station. By now the rain was easing so we drove to a boggy area on the southern outskirts of Kempele. In scrub on the outskirts of town we had Greenfinch, Common Redpoll and a pair of Willow Tits of the race borealis, bigger than ours with a much frostier appearance. We then waded through some wet areas to get a good view of the bog. It was heaving with birdlife. 250+ Wood Sandpiper were feeding, flying about and even song flighting all around us and amongst them was a Spotted Redshank, in full summer plumage. Also present were a vast number of Grey-headed Wagtails, around 200. They would be disturbed from time to time and would fly up, swirl about and land in the trees and bushes. It was quite a spectacle. Amongst them Harri located two singing male Citrine Wagtails, which gave us all good views. Also seen were Tree Pipits, White Wagtails and Reed Buntings. Raptors included 3 male Marsh Harriers and a pair of Hen Harriers. We also spotted a Goshawk on a pylon being mobbed by Hooded Crows and a very bold Magpie. There were masses of Barn Swallows feeding over the bog with a few House Martins and a Sand Martin. A pair of Pintail flew in and we had at least 4 Common Cranes fly by as well as 25 Greylag Geese and a flock of 140 Whooper Swans. It was quite a place and at the end of the trip was voted place of the trip.
We left Kempele and stopped by some stubble fields just north of the town. Here we had a flock of about 180 Ruff. The males were in full breeding plumage with white, black, brown, orange and bronzy ruffs. We watched a few males lekking. There were also good numbers of Golden Plover, Lapwing and 4 Black-tailed Godwits. Overhead we had a small flock of Common Swift, the first of the summer. Next stop was Vihiluoto a small point in a bay on the east side of Oulusalo. Waders here included 3 Temminck’s Stint, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Redshank plus many Ruff and Wood Sandpipers. Ducks included a pair of Garganey, Common Teal, Mallard and Shoveler with lots of Goosanders and Red-breasted Mergansers on the water. Further out in the bay we had a Black-throated Diver and 2 Red-necked Grebes, all in summer plumage. We then moved east to some fields near Paituri where we had good views of a male Ortolan Bunting, alongside a male Yellowhammer and 4 Whinchats. We were enroute to an area of forest just southeast of Oulu near Sandinsuu. Here Harri took us to a box where we had good views of a Tengmalm’s Owl, which looked out the nest hole when Harri scratched the base of the tree.
We then moved back to the coast to the bird observation tower at Hietasaari on the north side of Oulu. On the shore were 20 superb Caspian Terns along with a few Common, Arctic and one Little Tern. There were quite a few immature Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls as well as at least 6 Little Gulls (some with pinkish breasts). Waders included 11 Bar-tailed Godwits (all in beautiful summer plumage), 4 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Turnstone and some Ringed Plovers.
We then drove down to the south side of Oulu to a spruce forest near Rusko. This was a Pygmy Owl site. Harri tried to attract the male by calling, but unfortunately it did not respond. We had a quick look inside one of the nesting boxes and had a brief view of the female brooding her chicks surrounded by masses of plucked passerine feathers. We moved further south and stopped at a service station to exchange our crowded 8 seater mini-bus for the 9 seater we had originally ordered and then headed on to some forest south of Liminka. Here we tried, unsuccessfully to locate a pair of Ural owl. We did have nice views though of a roding Woodcock. Then at dusk we went to a very large bog at Haarasuo in the forest. Here we waited for a while till in the distance, then eventually just above us, we heard the “galloping horse” display of Jack Snipe which resonated over the bog (voted the top bird sound of the trip!), enhanced by the calls of frogs and distant cranes. So it was back to the chalet at 0015 after a very long but exciting day.
17th May. After yesterday’s long day we had a lie in till 8.30am. It was raining again when we got up, but it soon started to clear. A walk round the chalet ground revealed lots of Tree Pipits, Siskins and singing Song Thrush, Robin, Dunnock and Goldcrest and another nice Willow Tit. We decided to head south again to the fields south of Vihanti to continue our search for harriers. On arrival we immediately spotted a third summer male Pallid Harrier hunting over the fields (there has been a large influx of these birds to Finland this spring). We got very good views of it and at one stage it interacted with a female Hen Harrier. As we drove back north along the main road we spotted another Pallid Harrier and like the first it was a third summer bird as it still had some brown rings on its tail. There was also a male Hen Harrier in the same field, so voles must have been plentiful.
We then headed to an area of mature forest east of Paavola, en-route spotting the only Common Buzzard we saw during the entire trip. Harri took us to a Great Grey Owl site where we had good views of the female on its nest and excellent close views of the male, which was roosting nearby. Quite an impressive bird. A further 1.5km into the forest we stopped at another site and Harri attracted a male Ural Owl by imitating its call. It was a bit timid, but eventually we all got very good views of this bird. In the forest we also saw Siskin, Common Redstart and a Green Sandpiper which called and song flighted above us. It was now bright and sunny, though there were a few heavy showers from time to time.
Then back to the chalet to pack up the bus for our journey east. A lunch stop at the ABC service station was a welcome break and the Reindeer Stew proved to be very popular. We then drove north up to Oulu (saw at least 2 Rooks in the town) and then headed north-east along the long straight road towards Kuusamo. As we got further east many of the lakes were still frozen and within the forests there was still much snow. Just west of Kuusamo we stopped at the town dump. On the semi frozen lake below the dump we had nice views of displaying Goldeneye as well as a few Common Teal, 1 pair Pintail, 1 male Wigeon, a pair of Goosander and a White-fronted Goose. On the tip were some House Sparrows as well as Hooded Crows, Magpies and Ravens. Gulls included lots of Black-headed and Common Gulls with a few Herring Gulls and many Baltic Gulls. Harri also pointed out a Siberian Gull, which landed on the ice beside a Baltic Gull so we could see how the former was larger and paler than the latter. A passing Merlin spooked the gulls and then we noted an adult male Goshawk sitting on a stump by the pool. It was very approachable and close examination revealed it had a damaged leg. We then drove into Kuusamo and stopped to order some pizzas. Whilst waiting for them to be cooked, we headed out and checked the forested suburbs of the town and had excellent views of a pair of Willow Grouse. The male was very smart with his white underside and wings. We then collected our pizzas and drove to Oivanki, where Finnature had booked us into a lovely log cabin in the woods above a frozen lake.
18th May. An early start saw us up at 4.15am. It was a nice sunny, dry but cold morning. We started to drive north till a “harrier” call resulted in a sudden stop and we watched our third Pallid Harrier of the trip, a first summer bird cross the road in front of us. We then drove on to the nature reserve at Valtavaara. Here we stopped in the road side pass on this low ridge below a hill called Kortainen. We scanned the forest for a while picking out a nice male Bullfinch, several Common Crossbills feeding on the spruce cones, including some males resplendent in their red plumage and a Red Squirrel. A Goshawk drifted along the top of the ridge, to be
followed later by a Hobby. In the car park we had good views of a group of Siberian Jays. They were very approachable coming very close to feed on bits of bread we threw out for them. We then walked up through the forest. A Red-flanked Bluetail was singing its short repetitive song. It was quite timid but after a while we tracked it down and got superb views of what Harri reckoned was a first year male, singing on top of a spruce. This was later voted bird of the trip. Elated we headed back to the car park. Here we heard a drumming woodpecker and eventually we managed to get good views of a Three-toed Woodpecker in flight as it flew from one side of the valley to the next and then drumming at the top of a dead spruce tree. Just as we left the car park we spotted a male Hazel Grouse at the side of the road. We got very close views of this bird so could admire its smart plumage before it walked off into the forest. This was a super area with both its scenery and its amazing birds.
We then headed towards Juuma. A call of “large raptor” brought the bus to a sudden halt followed by a mass exodus to watch an immature White-tailed Eagle soar up over a frozen lake. Many of the lakes were just starting to thaw and many Goldeneye and Tufted Ducks fed in the unfrozen lake margins. We also had a nice view of a pair of Smew walking over the ice. We were now driving through the forest along gravel tracks in the Oulanka National Park. We stopped from time to time to scan the forest. As well as singing Bramblings, Mistle Thrush, more Bullfinch and Common Crossbill we spotted an early returning Osprey on its nest on a spruce on a distant ridge. In the park we had several stops at wet, boggy, scrubby sites and were eventually rewarded with excellent close views of a pair of Rustic Bunting. We stopped for a coffee and a bite to eat at a café at Lukasenvaara. Here there was a well stocked feeding station, which as well as attracting a partly grey coloured Red Squirrel, had a Common Linnet (quite rare here) a nice male Bullfinch, a male Brambling, some Greenfinch, a pair of Siskin and a Blue Tit, all coming in to feed. We continued our drive through the forest. Along the gravel roads we had at least 5 female Capercaille, a Greyhen and a pair of Hazel Grouse. At this time of year the females apparently come down to the road side to get grit to help with egg formation. Next stop was the Oulanka Park visitor centre. Around it we had singing Redwing, Fieldfare and a pair of Pied Flycatchers nest building in one of the many nest boxes erected throughout the forest.
We were now heading back to Kuusomo, but stopped off in another forested area near Ruka. The forest was quite open here with a lot of dead wood. We had good views of another Three-toed Woodpecker as well as a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Singing from the top of a spruce was a Northern Wheatear. A pair of Greenshank flew in and also landed on the trees. A flock of 28 Meadow Pipits suddenly appeared moving through the open forest as did a few more Common Crossbill. Finally we had excellent views of another male Rustic Bunting singing in the trees beside us. We then headed back to our cabin at Oivanki. A completely white Arctic Hare run across a field at the edge of the track. We stopped in the forest close to the chalets and Harri located a Siberian Tit. We had excellent views as it flitted from tree to tree and fed amongst some tree stumps and even hopped over a snow patch just in front of us – a superb lively little bird. We had some lunch in the chalet and out of the window Keith noted a pair of Siberian Tits in the adjacent trees. We had a rest and a few of us managed some sleep for a couple of hours. Those that didn’t heard a Black Woodpecker calling near the cabins but frustratingly always out of sight.
We then drove into Kuusamo. On one of the lakes just north of the town we had a swimming Muskrat and, over another, a hunting Osprey. After another nice buffet meal at the local service station we headed southeast from Kuusamo and out along some gravel roads through the forest to the south of the 866 road. We passed at least 6 female Capercaillies and 3 Greyhen on the edge of the roadside. We also had 2 Blackcock perched high in roadside trees and another lekking in the middle of the road. We stopped at a curve in the road on a slight ridge giving a good view over a large area of forest. Keith spotted a Golden Eagle perched near the top of a dead tree, whilst Mark located a Great Grey Shrike on a dead pine. Then Harri outdid everyone by spotting a Hawk Owl on top of a spruce on a distant ridge. Despite the distance it was very recognisable and we got brief views of it in flight. It had been a long but excellent day and we headed back to the chalet for a couple of celebratory beers.
19th May. After yesterday’s long day we had a lie in till 8.30am. It was another bright sunny day as we began the drive back to the Oulu area. First stop was the Kuusamo dump, where Harri once again explained the differences between Herring, Baltic and Siberian Gulls with all three together in the scope. Just east of Taivolkoski we detoured into the forest to a large clearing with many dead trees. No woodpeckers but we did see another Hazel Grouse.
Next stop was Jolsjarvi 35kms northeast of Oulu. By now it was quite cloudy with some very heavy showers. There was a nice hide on a tower overlooking this lake. In the weedy areas in the middle of the lake both Black-headed and Little Gulls were starting to nest. There was also a pair of Whooper Swan, 2 pairs Great Crested Grebes and a pair of Slavonian Grebe, all nesting or nest building. We also saw another two muskrats. We then drove into Oulu and stopped of at a large lake called Pyykosjarvi. There were masses of Great Crested Grebes (some displaying), over 100 Goosander, lots of Red-breasted Mergansers, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, a pair of Scaup and a Coot. There were also big numbers of Black-headed Gulls and noisy Little Gulls on the opposite shore. It was then back to the bird observation tower at Hietasaari north of Oulu. A strong west wind had pushed up the water levels so there were fewer birds than on our last visit.
We drove south round Oulu and through Liminka, where we had a pair of Collared Dove, to the south side of Liminka Bay. We checked out the agricultural areas south of the bay. The fields held Skylarks and a few Northern Wheatear. By a farmyard we had a mixed flock of House and Tree Sparrows. In a small wooded area we had 2 Spotted Flycatcher and a pair of Pied Flycatcher. We then headed for the shore. Once again water levels were high but we did see 3 Temminck’s Stints, an Oystercatcher and a Spotted Redshank, whilst offshore we had a Great Cormorant fly by. We then headed further east to the observation platform at Sannanlahti. Enroute we flushed a huge flock of 200+ Common Crane from a field, which flew down to the shore. There was a large reedbed next to the shore, where we heard a Bittern booming and both Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting singing. We scanned the shore from the tower and as well as the cranes there were quite a lot of Greylag Geese on the coastal grassland and two Taiga Bean Geese. On the shallow coastal waters were lots of Whooper Swans, 2 Mute Swans and a pair of Common Shelduck. Other duck included lots of Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Mergansers, Goosander, with a few Mallard, Common Teal, Shoveler, Pintail and Wigeon. In a tidal channel we had good views of a redhead Smew. Lots of Little Gulls were loafing in the water and amongst them was a group of 15 Red-necked Phalaropes. Offshore were 3 Arctic Skuas and a pair of Common Scoter. As we walked back down the track through the reeds we flushed a Wryneck, which perched briefly in a bush, giving good views. We then headed back towards Laminski and came across a huge dense flock of 1000+ Ruff swirling above, then feeding on a bare patch in a stubble field.
It was then back to Kempele and another buffet meal at the local ABC, then out to the ferry terminal on the peninsular at Oulosalo. Here we did a sea watch. We had 5 Red-necked Grebes fly by and long lines and groups of ducks heading north, mostly Velvet Scoter, with a few Common Scoter and Long-tailed Ducks. At 11.00pm we headed back into Oulu to the dump on the north side of town. We waited for an hour or so. We had 3 Short-eared Owls, then Brian suddenly spotted a huge Eagle Owl on top of a pylon. It flew along and landed on top of a spruce, a massive bird with its huge ear tufts. Harri reckoned it was a male due to its whitish throat. Another sighting of note was an adult Siberian Gull at the dump. Got back to the chalets at Varminkoski after midnight.
20th May. Another early start at 5.00am for some of us. Harri arrived to take us sea watching at the headland at Tauvo. Although it was bright and sunny, a very strong west wind made sea watching difficult. We had a few Red-throated Divers go by and small groups of Common and Velvet Scoter flying north, whilst two Common Eider flew south. Waders included 2 Dunlin, a Turnstone and an Oystercatcher. A belt of mixed woodland bounded the coast here. In some aspens a pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker were nesting. We then located a pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, watched them copulate and saw the male enter its nesting hole. Along the woodland edge we had two male and a female Red-spotted Bluethroat, 2 pairs Pied Flycatcher, 2 pairs Common Redstart, a Robin, a Lesser Whitethroat, but best of all a superb red male Common Rosefinch in full song.
Headed back to the chalet, where we had a Chiffchaff singing in the grounds and did our final packing. We then started the long drive south. Harri accompanied us for a while. We turned off the main road down to Hirvineva. Harri suddenly stopped as he had spotted a Black Woodpecker at a nest hole. We had very close views of it as it flew towards us and then back and fro between telegraph poles. At one stage it started drumming on the metal bit of the pole. An amazing bird! We went on down the road to Hirvijarvi, an old peat working site that had been flooded to form a nice marshy lake. There were several pairs of Greylag Geese, a pair of Whooper Swan, a few Tufted Duck, Goosander and a male Common Scoter. A Common Crane fed on the edge of the lake. Overhead we had Common Swift, an Osprey, a pair of Marsh Harrier and a pair of Common Kestrel, whilst we also heard a Cuckoo.
We then drove south to Pyhajoki. At another watch tower we scanned the shore, but again high water levels meant we saw few birds. We did, however, have 3 Whooper Swans fly over with a Bewick’s Swan. In the wood by the shore an early Garden Warbler was singing. Finally Harri took us to some nearby woods to try and see Pygmy owl. Unfortunately there was no response to the tape, though it did attract a pair of Crested Tit and whilst we were waiting another Black Woodpecker flew out of the wood. We said our goodbyes to Harri and continued on our journey south. As we drove through the agricultural land closer to Tampere we came across Rooks in the fields and a lot more Fieldfares and a Pheasant. At a lake 60km north of Tampere we had Common Whitethroat, Whinchat and Reed Bunting, whilst on the outskirts of Tampere another lake produced a Canada Goose. We returned the car to the airport having driven about 3000km and having seen 162 different species of bird.
A total of 162 species were recorded by the entire group. The following is a record of those species with notes added on locations and numbers when of interest for the trip, or for anyone inclined to use this for a bit of freelance birding if they happen to be in the area!
Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata Seventeen on the seawatch at Tauvo on the 20th.
Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica Nine recorded, with three on the sea at Vihilouto on the 18th the most seen at one time. Other inland records on or over lakes.
Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus One pair nest-building at Jolosjarvi on the 19th. Watch-tower site with breeding Little Gulls and Whooper Swan.
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Large numbers (100+) at Pykkosjarvi, otherwise infrequent.
Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena Two at Vihilouto on the 18th and five on the evening seawatch at Oulu Ferry on the 19th.
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Coastal records.
Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris Heard at Kempele Bogs on the 16th and Sannanlahti on the 19th.
Mute Swan Cygnus olor Vied with Bewick's for the 'rarest swan' award, with one at Sannanlahti on the 19th.
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus Common. regular lakeside breeder. Largest flock was c.150 at Kempele Bogs, when the day total was 218.
Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus One flew over the watch-tower at Pyhajoki on the 20th with three Whoopers. Rare bird in Finland, with less than ten records annually.
White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons One in flooded fields by Kuusamo dump on the 17th
Bean Goose Anser fabalis fabalis Three at Sannanlahti on the 19th.
Greylag Goose Anser anser Widespread. Encountered at most inland waters.
Canada Goose Branta canadensis Last tick of the trip, with one on lakes near Tampere airport.
Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Two at Sannanlahti on the 19th.
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Common. Encountered at most inland waters.
Northern Pintail Anas acuta Six at Sannanlahti on the 19th and four on the 16th at Kempele Bogs and Vihilouto.
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Regular at reed-fringed inland waters in small numbers.
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope Recorded in small numbers on various water bodies.
Common Teal Anas crecca Birds at Kuusamo dump (6 on 17th), Vihilouto and Liminka Bay.
Garganey Anas querquedula Pair at Vihilouto on the 16th and at Liminka Bay on the 18th.
Greater Scaup Aythya marila Pair at Pykkosjarvi on the 19th.
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Very common in the Kuusamo region, where lakes were beginning to thaw.
Common Eider Somateria mollissima Pair on seawatch at Tauvo on the 20th.
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra Small numbers on seawatches from Oulu Ferry and Tauvo on the last two days.
Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca 200 on Oulu Ferry seawatch and 30 from Tauvo.
Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis Fourteen on Oulu Ferry seawatch on the 19th.
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula Very common on all water bodies.
Smew Mergellus albellus Pair near Oulanka National Park on the 18th and a redhead at Sannanlahti on the 19th.
Goosander Mergus merganser Eighteen at Hietasaari on the 16th and 130 at Pyykosjarvi on the 19th.
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator Regular at coastal sites.
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla One en route to Oulanka National Park on the 18th required an emergency stop and a rapid evacuation from the minibus for those birders from south of the border.
Osprey Pandion haliaetus One near chalet at Kuusamo on the 18th and a distant bird at Hirvijarvi on the 20th. Distant nest observed by some at one of the Black Woodpecker sites near Kuusamo.
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos One at the Hawk Owl site on the 18th roosting in a tree.
Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Recorded at Sannanlahti, Hirvijarvi, Kempele Bogs and elsewhere.
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus E Eight in total, with six on the 17th at or near Vihanti whilst searching for Pallid Harriers.
Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus Two 3rd summer males at Vihanti and a first summer male across the road whilst on the way to Valtavaara on the 18th.
Common Buzzard Buteo Buteo One record only on the 17th near Paavola.
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Three sightings. One mobbed by Hooded Crows and a particularly enthusiastic Magpie at Kempele Bogs; one at Valtavaara on the 18th and an obliging individual at Kuusamo dump that allowed Harri and Brian to get within 10 yards to photograph on account of a damaged leg!
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Occasionally recorded.
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo One over Valtavaara on the 18th.
Merlin Falco columbarius One at Kuusamo dump on the evening of the 17th.
Willow Grouse Lagopus l. lagopus A pair in gardens on the outskirts of Kuusamo on the 17th seen between ordering and collecting our pizzas for the evening. Classic habitat !!
Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus The rogue male on the first morning was the only male. Driving forest tracks on the evening of the 18th produced 15 females either from the roadside or perched atop pines! Staggering.
Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix Twelve encountered in similar circumstances to the Capers, but with some males, including one lekking on the road. Three leks called also be heard when stops were made to check for Hawk Owl.
Hazel Grouse Bonasa bonasia Eight in total, with three pairs on occasions. All flushed from or just by the roads in the Kuusamo/ Oulanka region. Males responded well to Harri's game-whistle.
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Two individuals somewhere or other.
Common Crane Grus grus Seen daily in small numbers, but an amazing 200+ birds at Sannanlahti.
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Two at Liminka Bay on the 19th.
Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Five at Hietasaari on the 16th.
European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Numerous in fields around Oulu/ Vihanti.
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Every suitable field around Oulu seemed to hold Lapwing.
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres One at Hietasaari on the 16th and two at Oulu Ferry on the 19th.
Dunlin Calidris alpina Potential 'dip of the trip' fell at Tauvo on the last morning - two birds.
Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii Two at Vihilouto on the 16th and three at Liminka Bay on the 19th.
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola An overwhelming spectacle at Kempele Bogs on the 16th. Difficult to gauge an accurate figure, but 250+ would be an under-estimate. Common in wet ditches around Vihanti and elsewhere in the Oulu area.
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Infrequent. Six displaying were noted.
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Frequent in typical breeding habitat
Common Redshank Tringa totanus Recorded at coastal sites in small numbers.
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Singing individuals at Kempele Bogs and two other sites. Peak of migration passed.
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia One of the images of the trip was seeing two greenshank sat atop a 30m high pine calling manically.
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Four outside of Kempele on the 16th in roadside fields and two at Liminka Bay on the 19th.
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Twelve at Hietasaari on the 16th.
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata Common in fields in Oulu region. Frequently in dispute with Hooded Crows
Whimbrel Numenius heaps Only three records, with one at Vihanti on the 16th.
Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola One at 2.40am on the drive north to Oulu on the 17th. Three other evening sightings whilst driving.
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Chipping and drumming birds heard on occasion.
Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus The sound of galloping horses at Haarusuo sealed a memorable end to the first full day of birding.
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus A flock of fifteen at Sannanlahti on the 19th.
Ruff Philomachus pugnax Common in ploughed fields, often associated with Golden Plover. Around 1000 birds together in fields near Sannanlahti on the 19th.
Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus Three at Sannanlahti on the 19th.
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Widespread.
Common Gull Larus canus Regular with black-heads in ploughed fields.
Herring Gull Larus argentatus Recorded daily at coastal, sites, dumps, fields etc..
Siberian Gull Larus heuglini Adult and 2nd Summer at Kuusamo dump on the 17th and adult also noted at Oulu dump on the 19th.
Baltic Gull Larus Larus fuscus Recorded at both dumps and occasional flyovers elsewhere.
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Again at both dumps and also at Hietasaari on the 16th.
Little Gull Larus minutus Common at coastal sites and reed-fringed lakes where breeding was evident. Ninety counted in the bay from watch-tower at Sannanlahti on the 19th.
Little Tern Sterna albifrons One at Hietesaari on the 16th.
Common Tern Sterna hirundo Noted at coastal sites.
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisea Noted at coastal sites.
Caspian Tern Sterna caspia Seen at Hietasaari on both visits - with 26 on the 16th.
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia Seen somewhere or other.
Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus Seen daily in small numbers.
Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Potential blocker for the trip list - but two bagged in Oulu on the 19th.
Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus One singing at Hirvijarvi on the 20th.
Tawny Owl Strix aluco First bird of the trip, with one picked up on wires around midnight on the journey up from Tampere.
Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo A regular rat-catching male at Oulu dump obliged just before midnight on the 19th. Massive at half-mile distance.
Great Grey Owl Strix nebulosa Female on nest and male perched 25m away at a known site on the 17th near Paavola.
Ural Owl Strix uralensis A short distance from the great grey site, a male eventually responded to Harri's calls and excellent views were obtained. A real cracker - field guide illustrations don't do this species justice. 'Top of the head' views of the female in nearby nest box.
Northern Hawk Owl Surnia ulula The only target owl without a guaranteed site, but perseverance paid-off during the evening of the 18th around Kuusamo with Harri spotted one up perched up in classic pose at about a mile's distance. Brief flight views as well.
Tengmalm's Owl Aegolius funereus Nestbox site at Sanginsuu on the 16th. Female conned in to looking out of nest box by scratching the base of the tree to fake pine marten climbing. Spent 15 minutes glaring at us. Glorious!
Eurasian Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum Nestbox site at Rusko on the 16th. No response to tapes, so a quick look in the box. Last action of the guided part of the trip was another attempt tape luring south of Pyhajoki - unsuccessful, but it sent the Crested Tits barmy (and attracted a black woodpecker) which brought joy to the Suffolk contingent.
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus The commonest owl, particularly around Oulu. Eleven on the 16th.
Common Swift Apus apus Small numbers. Twelve at Pyhajoki noted on the 20th.
Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius Incredible views near Hirvijarvi. Male seen entering nesthole, swiftly exited in response to tape lure and spent ten minutes flying over and around us. Wingbeats audible at over 100 metres and a memorable image of the bird drumming on the metal stanchions of telegraph poles! Another bird flew over the Pygmy Owl site near Pyhajoki and one was calling persistently near the chalet at Kuusamo.
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major The commonest woodpecker, heard and seen daily.
Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides pterodactyls Superb response to tape at Valtavaara. Brought bird down to 100m, with another drumming nearby. Better views obtained at a failed Black Woodpecker site en route to Oulanka National Park.
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor A pair at Kauvo on the 20th at a nest-site. No vocal response to tape, but extremely agitated.
Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla One at Sannanlahti on the 19th
Common Skylark Alauda arvensis Uncommon, but noted on several occasions singing south of Oulu.
Sand Martin Riparia riparia Noted at Kempele Bogs.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Seen daily in small numbers.
Common House Martin Delichon urbica 50+ at Kempele Bogs and recorded elsewhere in small numbers.
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis Heard occasionally. Flock of 28 at Ruka on the 18th.
Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Regularly heard singing in forest clearings.
White Wagtail Motacilla alba Noted around lakes and habitation.
Grey-headed Wagtail Motacilla thunbergi 200+ flock at Kempele Bogs and daily flyovers.
Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola Two males at Kempele Bogs on the 16th.
Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Heard on a few occasions.
Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulous Seen daily. 27 at the café in Oulanka National Park and seven on the first morning at the chalet in Liminka.
Dunnock Prunella modularis Three noted singing on the 16th. Overlooked.
European Robin Erithacus rubecula Two noted singing on the 16th. See Dunnock, then generally ignored.
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica Two in a ditch at Vihanti whilst looking for Pallid Harrier on the 16th and a further two on the 20th at Tauvo.
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus Hold the front page - what a belter. Singing male (possibly 1st year male?) atop various conifers singing its 'redstart-like' heart out and eventually obliging with crippling views at Valtavaara on the 18th.
Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus Seen around both chalets, at Tauvo on the 20th and a few other forest encounters.
Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Five noted, with three on the 19th - two near Sannanlahti and one at Oulu Ferry.
Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Two on 17th in the Ortolan field near Sanginsuu. Three on the 19th in fields around Sannanlahti.
Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Regularly heard singing at a multitude of locations.
Redwing Turdus iliacus The 'Finnish Great Tit' - singing birds causing confusion at every stop.
Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus Occasional birds daily.
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Common. Seen in towns on roadside verges and encountered elsewhere. Generally overlooked.
Common Blackbird Turdus merula Only one seen on the 16th.
Garden Warbler Sylvia borin First returning birds of the year in on the 20th, with singing heard at Pyhajoki.
Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca Bushes stampeded by the Scots at Tauvo on the 20th and one at a petrol station on the way back to the chalet.
Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis Three singing around lakes just south of Riitiala on the 20th on the journey back to Tampere.
Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Heard at Pyykosjarvi and Sannanlahti on the 19th.
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Very common.
Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita First heard on the 20th at a petrol station and again at the last Pygmy Owl site of the trip.
Goldcrest Regulus regulus Two singing on the 17th - one at the chalet at Liminka.
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Two on the 19th on the way to Sannanlahti.
European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca Small numbers of singing birds heard daily.
Great Tit Parus major Overlooked.
Blue Tit Parus caeruleus Same again.
Crested Tit Parus cristatus Two at the last Pygmy Owl site of the trip on the 20th, responding superbly to the owl tape and caused consternation amongst the East Anglian contingent!
Willow Tit Parus montanus borealis race birds seen at Kempele Bogs on the 16th and one on the 19th near Sannanlahti.
Siberian Tit Parus cinctus Three birds around the chalet at Kuusamo. Responded very well to Brian's squeaking.
Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor One at the Hawk Owl site on the 18th.
Common Magpie Pica pica Everywhere.
Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius Recorded occasionally.
Siberian Jay Perisoreus infaustus Four at Valtavaara on the 18th were exceptionally confiding. Coming down to bread at our feet.
Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula Common.
Rook Corvus frugilegus Common.
Hooded Crow Corvus cornix Common.
Common Raven Corvus corax Seen at Kuusamo dump on both visits and occasional elsewhere.
Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris Fell at the last hurdle with one at the lakeside stop near Riitiala on the 20th.
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Heard near habitation on two occasions.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Five near Sannanlahti on the 19th.
Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Very Common.
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla Regular wheezing songsters in the Kuusamo region.
Eurasian Linnet Carduelis cannabina One seen on the 18th at the café in Oulanka National Park
Common Redpoll Carduelis flammea Regularly overhead on the 16th at Kempele Bogs and in
Oulanka National Park on the18th
European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis One heard on the 20th.
European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris Seen and heard around habitation on three days.
Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus Common in Oulanka and the Kuusamo region.
Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Male on feeders at the Oulanka café and one heard on the 20th at the Pygmy Owl stop.
Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra Encountered daily - normally as flyovers.
Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus Singing male at Tauvo on the 20th.
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus Heard daily.
Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica Three on the 18th - a pair in Oulanka National Park and a male at one of the Black Woodpecker sites
Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana One in fields on the way to the Tengmalm's site on the 16th.
Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Very common. Invariably, birds flushed from every wet ditch, or seen around gardens.
Bird of the trip
You know how it is…a long drive back to the airport after five days of solid birding - a 'bird of the trip' award had to be done. Every one nominated five species - 5 points for the favourite, then 4,3,2,1 for the next favourite species in order :
The Group top six :
1. Red-flanked Bluetail
2. Jack Snipe
3. Black Woodpecker
4. Ural Owl
5. Great Grey Owl
6. Siberian Tit
Trip costs
Costs per person
Hire cars plus fuel Inverness to Stansted £69.25
Return flight Tampere £74.84 inc. taxes
Fuel Tampere – Oulu £5.00
Oulu – Kuusamo birding £360
inc. B&B accom.
minibus hire
driver for birding part of trip
fuel for birding part of trip
B&B and meals for guide
Bird-guiding throughout Oulu and Kuusamo
Food & drink over 5-days £75.00
Total per person £584.09
The wrap-up…
This trip was a great success. We all thoroughly enjoyed it, had good crack and saw lots of nice birds. Our decision to opt for a Finnature guide for the whole trip certainly paid dividends as we are all sure we would have struggled to find, not only some of the more elusive species, but also birding sites! Harri was an excellent guide and very good company. Thanks also go to the very efficient Leena Laitinen of Finnature for helping organise the trip.
Text - Bob Swann and Mark Nowers
Photographs – Brian Bates, Chris Donald & Andy Jensen