FINLAND, ESTONIA & ARCTIC NORWAY

29 MAY – 12 JUNE 2008

TOUR REPORT

LEADER: HANNU JÄNNES This year’s Birdquest to Estonia, Finland and Norway went to plan, despite some pretty cold weather in the north, which actually continued throughout June resulting in zero breeding success for many Arctic species, including most of the waders. On the other hand rodents were locally abundant both in the south of Finland and in the far north, allowing us some truly memorable encounters with many of the owls, including the impressive Great Grey Owl, which was voted bird of the trip, and the fierce-eyed Northern Hawk Owl, which was the second most popular choice for the bird of the trip. All in all we observed 231 species of birds, which included almost all the northern specialities. Other species worth a mention were eight species of woodpecker, nine species of owl, Gyr Falcon, good numbers of Steller’s, King and Common Eiders, White-billed Diver, all the important gamebirds, Great Snipe, Terek Sandpiper, the enigmatic and elusive Pine Grosbeak, which was exceptionally easy to find this year, Parrot Crossbill, two adult male Red-flanked Bluetails, three Citrine Wagtails, Icterine, River, Savi’s, Common Grasshopper, Blyth’s Reed, Marsh, Reed, Sedge and Great Reed Warblers, Siberian Jay, Siberian Tit, Little, Rustic, Lapland and Snow Buntings, and bonus sightings of an immaculate adult male Pallid Harrier and a magnificent pod of ten Orcas. Our tour began with a two night pre-tour extension to Estonia, where the main target was Great Snipe. To get to Estonia we crossed the Bay of Finland by ferry from Helsinki, which took less than two hours, just enough time to enjoy a good dinner in the ferry restaurant. Arriving at the ferry terminal in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, we loaded our minibus and began our drive to Tartu reaching the well known Great Snipe lekking site at dusk. After reasonable scope views of three males performing their jumping display, accompanied by the strange popping and twittering song, we resumed the journey to our hotel on the outskirts of Tartu. Next morning, after a relatively late breakfast, we headed south-east to Vana Vastseliina’s ruined castle, which is surrounded by beautiful deciduous forest. Best bird here was a drumming female White-backed Woodpecker, but we also saw Grey-headed Woodpecker, Icterine Warbler, Hawfinch and a pair of White Storks at their nest performing their bill clapping ceremony. After lunch we headed further south-east, close to the Russian border, where we spent some time trying to locate the Booted Warbler that had bred in previous years. Unfortunately the warbler didn’t oblige, but we still had a very enjoyable afternoon seeing adult male Honey Buzzard, several Common Buzzards,

Wryneck etc. After dinner we spent the evening at a large wetland near Tartu, where the best birds were two male Citrine Wagtails, and one apparent hybrid between Citrine and Yellow Wagtail, Savi’s Warbler, two White-fronted Geese and forty Black Terns. As the evening drew on and it got darker, we tried another part of the wetland and soon located a ‘singing’ Corncrake right next to the road, which, after some manoeuvring, we enjoyed good views of. Next morning started with a quick pre-breakfast visit to some fish-ponds, where we found a cute Penduline Tit, a pair of Garganey and had good views of Marsh, Great Reed and Common Grasshopper Warblers, and less than perfect views of Thrush Nightingale. Later we visited the Estonian ‘Hollywood’ (a hillside sign replicating in miniature the L.A. original) for some sky-watching seeing several Common Buzzards and a hunting Lesser Spotted Eagle. Other birds of interest here included the only Black Redstart and Turtle Dove of the trip. We then searched a couple of sites for the elusive Middle-spotted Woodpecker, but only managed to hear it briefly, before we had to dash to Tallinn to catch the evening ferry to Helsinki. Next day we birded several areas in and around Helsinki, where we had great views of singing Blyth’s Reed, Marsh and Eurasian Reed Warblers, Thrush Nightingale, another Citrine Wagtail, a first-summer Red-breasted Flycatcher, 20 somewhat distant Broad-billed Sandpipers, and a Long-eared Owl family (a sleepy mum with six cute juveniles). Then it was time to pick up the main group from the airport and head for the forests of Heinola area, where our local guide awaited us. First he took us to a Great Grey Owl nest, where three big juveniles and a magnificent female gave really great views. Later on we drove to Hauho, where we had a late, but very good dinner, before a well deserved rest. The next day, despite a busy schedule, we had a really great half day’s birding with superb views of a Three-toed Woodpecker, excellent views of a female Ural Owl and her large chick, female Eurasian Pygmy Owl sitting in the open on a branch next to its nest box, a very well camouflaged Hazel Grouse on eggs, and, as a grand finale, a party of five cute Tengmalm’s Owl chicks. The rest of the day we spent driving to Oulu, on the west coast of Central Finland. After dinner we rounded off the day at the local rubbish dump, where we had distant views of a pair of Eurasian Eagle Owls hooting from the tree tops. Next morning, we headed to Oulu harbour ,where we found a Terek Sandpiper, a very rare (less than 20 pairs) breeding bird in Finland. Then a short visit to nearby Liminka Bay, where we had Ortolan Bunting, lots of ducks, three White-tailed Eagles, a big flock of non-breeding Common Cranes and, best of all, a magnificent fly by adult male Pallid Harrier (a rarity, but with about 50 records increasingly seen in a year in recent years). Then time to head east for Kuusamo and a three night stay. On the way we had a short stop at Iso-syöte National Park. Our walk here in the warm afternoon sun was very pleasant, but not very productive, until we arrived back at the vehicle, and a Pine Grosbeak began to sing from the top of one of the tall roadside spruces. We were all able to enjoy good views of the bird before it disappeared. Our first morning in the Kuusamo area saw us at Iivaara where, after a gentle uphill walk, we had excellent views of two singing adult male Red-flanked Bluetails. On the way down we had a female Pine Grosbeak in the middle of the trail picking up nest material and brief views of a singing male Rustic Bunting. Other interesting birds noted on this cold, but sunny, morning included lekking Black Grouse and female Capercaillie eating grit by the roadside. Later we visited the nest hole of Black Woodpecker, which showed extremely well, a wetland area for Little Bunting, saw a Northern Goshawk in flight, our first Red-necked Phalaropes of the trip, a group of noisy Little Gulls, and some of the commoner ducks. Early next morning we were back in the Capercaillie area, and finally got great views of a huge lekking male. The same area produced a couple of female capers by the roadside, and a male Hazel Grouse. Later we drove to Valtavaara area, where we found two Siberian Jays, and a group of three

tame Parrot Crossbills feeding quietly in roadside trees. We checked a nearby lake, that was thronged with ducks, including a pair of Gadwall, a rare bird this far north, and the river with two Black-bellied Dippers. Returning we had great close-up views of a Siberian Tit carrying food back to the nest. Late afternoon we paid a visit to the rubbish dump, where we had rather brief views of an interesting looking pale gull, showing many characters of Iceland Gull, a first class rarity in Finland, but there were some anomalies. Better views were obtained, and photographs taken, of this bird by other birders the next day, and the record is still under circulation of the Finnish Rarities Committee. Finally we checked some wetlands around Kuusamo, and found a very co-operative Little Bunting singing from a roadside bog. Next day we headed for Oulanka National Park in northern Kuusamo, where we spent the first part of the day birding in the old growth pine forests that are such a prominent feature of this beautiful area. Bird wise we didn’t see much, but an adult Golden Eagle was a welcome sighting. After lunch, a delicious fish soup followed by Blueberry pie, in a cosy café close to the Russian border, we drove to Luosto for an overnight stay. The next day we had quite a long drive, but we still managed to do some birding on the way, including a lunch stop at a café with a views of an Osprey’s nest. During the afternoon we walked to a fjell, where we enjoyed really great views of a very tame and photogenic male Rock Ptarmigan standing on the boardwalk! From there we continued to another fjell, where we soon located three very co-operative Eurasian Dotterels. After dinner in our hotel at Ivalo, we still had a mission to accomplish. Our target was a Northern Hawk Owl pair with fledged juveniles. It took us quite some time to reach the area, again very close to the Russian border, but the rest was easy thanks to detailed notes, which had been sent to us by fax earlier. After admiring the family for some time, we arrived back at our hotel well before midnight. It was cloudy, chilly and windy for our pre-breakfast outing to a wet bog near Ivalo the next morning. Despite the less than ideal conditions, we still managed to see, and hear, a couple of displaying Jack Snipes, and were able to compare their jizz and flight pattern with displaying Common Snipes. It was then time to begin our long journey to the Arctic Ocean. Despite the long drive, we had time for some well planned stops en route. At a café near Kaamanen we had a very enjoyable time admiring summer plumaged Bramblings, Greenfinches, Red Squirrels, Mealy and some Arctic Redpolls, a couple of Siberian Tits, and, best of all, three Pine Grosbeaks, including a gorgeous adult male, visiting the garden feeder. Next stop was at a wetland, where, despite a snow storm, we managed to see Short-eared Owl, three Long-tailed Skuas and a female Hen Harrier. Additional species seen on route included three Merlin, the only Rough-legged Buzzard of the whole trip, and a couple of flighty pairs of Bohemian Waxwings. After a late lunch by another bird feeder at Utsjoki, it was time to cross the border to Norway and visit a traditional site for Gyr Falcon, which we saw well. We then hurried to our hotel at Vardö on the Arctic Ocean, stopping on the way a couple of times, seeing, among many other things, a magnificent pod of 10 Orcas (a rare sighting here), a somewhat distant White-billed Diver, a group of 20 Tundra Bean Geese and one Pink-footed Goose, a very important bird for one of us!!), and a total of six White-tailed Eagles. After a long, but very productive day, it was really good to arrive at our cosy hotel in Vardö, where we continued our birding through the dining room windows at the same time as enjoying dinner, and adding Iceland Gull and Brünnich’s Guillemot to our bird list. The following day we visited the famous bird island of Hornoy where we had excellent views of the breeding seabirds including Brünnich’s, Common and Black Guillemots, Razorbill, Atlantic Puffin, Eurasian Shag and Black-legged Kittiwake. Later we headed west towards Vadsö and visited several coastal sites, finding some good birds including a single Long-tailed Skua, many Arctic Skuas, a total of 90 Steller’s Eider including a stunning adult male amongst a flock of first-summer birds, two breeding plumaged Sanderlings, eight White-tailed Eagles, a pair of Ring Ouzels, handsome Lapland

Buntings and a first summer Glaucous Gull. On our full day excursion to the remote village of Hamningberg “at the end of the world” we had great views of a close adult summer White-billed Diver, amongst commoner Black-throated and Red-throated Divers. Other good birds included a total of 11 King Eiders, two Greater Scaups, a few hundred Goosanders and Red-breasted Mergansers, two Great Skuas, Northern Gannets, several Red-throated Pipits, Lapland and Snow Buntings, and a Horned Lark. After three nights in Norway we returned to Finland via the Tana River delta, an area where Lesser White-fronted Geese had been sighted the previous day, but we failed to locate this very rare, and rapidly declining, breeding bird. Instead we had two Little Stints amongst twenty or so Temminck’s Stints, and one of the finest landscapes of the whole trip. The remainder of the day was spent driving to Ivalo, where we had a very good dinner in a brand new local restaurant, before our evening flight to Helsinki, where we stayed overnight. Our tour ended in Helsinki after a morning’s birding produced good views of singing River and Blyth’s Reed Warblers, a Thrush Nightingale openly sitting on a wire(!), the only Caspian Terns and Spotted Redshank of the trip, and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at it’s nest hole.

SYSTEMATIC LIST Species which were not personally recorded by the leader are indicated by symbol NL).Species which were heard but not seen are indicated by the symbol H). GAVIIDAE Red-throated Diver Red-throated Loon) Gavia stellata: common in Norway. Black-throated Diver (Black-throated Loon) Gavia : A few at Hauho and Kuusamo, and small

numbers in the north. Yellow-billed Diver (Yellow-billed Loon, White-billed Diver) Gavia adamsii: We enjoyed views of a

first-summer bird at Vardö, and a magnificent adult at Hamningberg. In addition one distant adult was noted at Ekkeröy. Easy to find this year!

PODICIPEDIDAE Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus: A few in the south. Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena: A total of eight at Kuusamo. PROCELLARIIDAE Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis: Seen at Varangerfjord, Norway. SULIDAE Northern Gannet Morus : Eight birds at Varangerfjord, Norway. PHALACROCORACIDAE Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo: Common in Norway. In addition few individuals were noted

in the south and in the Oulu area. European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis: Common around Varangerfjord. Some great close-up views

of breeding birds at the breeding colony on Hornoy island. ARDEIDAE Grey Heron Ardea cinerea: Small numbers were noted in Estonia and in the south of Finland. CICONIIDAE White Stork Ciconia ciconia: Good numbers, including several big nest structures, in Estonia. This

species doesn’t breed in Finland. ANATIDAE Mute Swan Cygnus olor: Relatively common in Estonia and on the coast in Southern Finland. Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus: Small numbers almost daily in Finland (north of Hauho) and in

Norway. Largest concentration was ca. 100 at Liminka Bay, near Oulu. Tundra Bean Goose Anser rossicus: A flock of up to 21 birds was seen on three days around

Varangerfjord. Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus: A single individual with a flock of Tundra Bean Geese at

Varangerfjord. Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons: Two near Tartu in Estonia was a nice surprise. This

species is an abundant transient migrant in Estonia, but these two birds were well behind their normal schedule.

Greylag Goose Anser anser: A total of 40 near Oulu. Greater Canada Goose Branta canadensis: Two on the way from Helsinki to Hauho. Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis: Seen from the ferry at Helsinki harbour. Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna: A few birds at Varangerfjord. Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope: Fairly common and widespread.

Gadwall Anas strepera: A pair at Kuusamo was a good find. In addition there was one leader only bird in Estonia.

Eurasian Teal Anas crecca: Fairly common and widespread. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos: Common. Northern Pintail Anas acuta: Small numbers were noted. Garganey Anas querquedula: A showy pair near Tartu, and a lone male at Kuusamo. Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata: Records of small numbers from Estonia to Kuusamo in Finland. Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula: Widespread in small numbers. Greater Scaup Aythya marila: Seen on the lake behind our hotel in Kuusamo, and two at

Varangerfjord in Norway. Common Eider Somateria mollissima: Small numbers from the Tallinn-Helsinki ferry. Abundant at

Varangerfjord. King Eider Somateria spectabilis: A poor year for this lovely bird! A total of 13 was noted at

Varangerfjord. Steller’s Eider Polysticta stelleri: Good numbers in Varangerfjord. A majority of them were in dull

second calendar year plumage, but one immaculate adult male at Vadsö offered excellent close up views.

Long-tailed Duck (Oldsquaw) Clangula hyemalis: Seen in Varangerfjord. Common Scoter (Black Scoter) Melanitta nigra: Numbers in the Kuusamo area and at Varangerfjord. Velvet Scoter (White-winged Scoter) Melanitta fusca: Numerous in the Kuusamo area, where

maximum count was 72 at one lake. In addition small numbers were noted at Varangerfjord.

Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula: Widespread, mostly in small numbers. Smew Mergellus albellus: A total of eight in the Kuusamo area, and four near Ivalo. Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator: This attractive duck was noted in small numbers around

Oulu and Kuusamo, and it was common at Varangerfjord. Goosander (Common Merganser) Mergus merganser: Small numbers in the south of Finland and

large flocks near Oulu and at Varangerfjord. ACCIPITRIDAE European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus: One near Tartu and one in the Kuusamo area. White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla: Somewhat distant birds near Oulu, and a total of 20 at

Varangerfjord, where this majestic eagle has rapidly become a common roadside bird. Western Marsh Harrier (Eurasian Marsh Harrier) Circus aeruginosus: Scattered records of small

numbers in the south and four at Liminka Bay near Oulu. In addition we had one at Kuusamo, where it is very scarce but annual visitor.

Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus: A gorgeous adult male was showing well at Liminka Bay near Oulu. A rarity in Finland with 30-50 records per year.

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus: Seen in Estonia on the way to Tartu, and one on the high fjells on the way to Utsjoki.

Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis: One in the Kuusamo area. Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus: Two near Tartu. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo: Common around Tartu in Estonia. Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus: Surprisingly only one individual, at Utsjoki. Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos: An adult at Kuusamo. Lesser-spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina: A single bird was seen near Tarto, Estonia. PANDIONIDAE Osprey Pandion haliaetus: A single at a nest near Sodankylä. FALCONIDAE Merlin Falco columbarius: A total of three in northern Finland.

Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo: Seen on the way between Hauho and Oulu, and another one in the Helsinki area on our last day.

Gyr Falcon Falco rusticolus: A traditional nest site in Norway produced good flight views of a pair. Peregrine Falcon Falco (NL): One bird was seen at Varangerfjord. TETRAONIDAE Hazel Grouse Bonasa: Very close views of a female sitting on eggs near Hauho, and four birds,

including some good views, at Kuusamo. Willow Grouse (Willow Ptarmigan) Lagopus lagopus : A total of seven birds; including some great

views, at Varangerfjord. Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus: A very tame, almost completely white male was watched and

photographed near Ivalo. Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix: Males on the way to Hauho, and an active roadside lek with six birds at

Kuusamo. Western Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus: At Kuusamo we had first great views of several road side

females, and after some searching, we managed to find a gorgeous lekking male too. PHASIANIDAE Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus (H): One was heard in the Helsinki area. RALLIDAE Corncrake Crex crex: One seen well near Tarto, and four more were heard there. Eurasian Coot (Common Coot) Fulica atra: A few were noted in the south. GRUIDAE Common Crane Grus grus: Records of mostly small groups between Hauho and Utsjoki, but a flock

of 200 non-breeders at Liminka bay near Oulu. HAEMATOPODIDAE Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus: Small numbers were noted regularly in coastal areas. CHARADRIIDAE Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius: Scattered records of small numbers in the south. Ringed Plover (Great Ringed Plover) Charadrius hiaticula: Small numbers almost daily in the north. Eurasian Dotterel Charadrius morinellus: Good views of three roadside birds near Ivalo. European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria: Common in the north. Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus: Regularly encountered in the south, and two at Varangerfjord. SCOLOPACIDAE Sanderling Calidris alba: Scarce this year. Only two were noted at Varangerfjord. Little Stint Calidris minuta: Two at Höyholmen in Norway. Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii: Encountered in northern Finland and in Norway. Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima: Small numbers along the shoreline at Varangerfjord, prior to

their departure to the fells for breeding. Dunlin Calidris alpina: Seen only at Varanger, where relatively common. Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus: A group of 20 near Helsinki on 1st of June were transient

migrants. Ruff Philomachus pugnax: Some good views of lekking birds showing the full range of colour

patterns. Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus: Two seen and heard in display flight at the bog near Ivalo. Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago: Small numbers were noted in the north. Great Snipe Gallinago media: Three displaying males at a traditional site near Tarto. Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola: A few roding birds in the south.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa: Several birds at Liminka Bay near Oulu. Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica: Small numbers at Varangerfjord. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus: Small numbers on five days in the north. Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata: Just small numbers seen. Spotted Redshank Tringa : Only a single individual, near Helsinki, on our last day! Common Redshank Tringa totanus: Scattered records of small numbers. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia: Small numbers in the north of Finland. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus: Only a few individuals were noted. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Relatively common and widespread in the north. Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus: Great views of one at Oulu. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos: Scattered records of few individuals. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres: Seen at Varangerfjord. Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus: Common and widespread in northern Finland and

Norway. Also three near Helsinki on our last day. STERCORARIIDAE Arctic Skua Parasitic Jaeger) Stercorarius parasiticus: Seen around Varangerfjord and adjacent fells. Long-tailed Skua (Long-tailed Jaeger) Stercorarius longicaudus: Three on the fjells between Ivalo and

Utsjoki, and two at Varangerfjord. Great Skua Catharacta skua: Two were seen at Hamningberg in Norway. LARIDAE Little Gull Larus minutus: Seen in the Kuusamo region. In addition 10 were noted near Kaamanen

and three were near Helsinki on our last morning. Black-headed Gull (Common Black-headed Gull) Larus ridibundus: Common and widespread. Mew Gull (Common Gull) Larus canus: Abundant. Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus: A scatter at Hauho and a handful at Kuusamo. All were of the

black-backed race fuscus. Herring Gull Larus argentatus: Common and widespread. Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides: A first-summer bird was seen well in the harbour of Vardö at

Varangerfjord. Another first-summer bird seen at Kuusamo dump, showed some anomalies, and is still under consideration by the Finnish Rarities Committee.

Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus: This year very scarce; only one first-summer bird at Varangerfjord. .

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus: A few in the Helsinki area and hundreds in Norway. Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla: Abundant in Norway. STERNIDAE Caspian Tern Sterna caspia: Seen near Helsinki on our last morning was a nice bonus. Common Tern Sterna hirundo: Small numbers throughout. Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea: Great to see this attractive species on its breeding grounds. Black Tern Chlidonias niger: Seen near Tarto, with a maximum of 40 on 30th May. ALCIDAE Common Guillemot Common Murre) Uria aalge: Seen around Hornoy island, where there are said

to be 1,000-1,500 pairs. Brünnich’s Guillemot (Brünnich’s Murre, Thick-billed Murre) Uria lomvia: Great views at Hornoy

island, both on the water and on their breeding ledges. The breeding population on this island is estimated at 300-400 pairs.

Razorbill Alca torda: Great views of many of the 500 pairs breeding on Hornoy island. Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle: Seen in Varangerfjord. Atlantic Puffin Fratercula arctica: Great views of the large colony (5,000-10,000 pairs) at Hornoy

island, and a few “at sea” in the Varangerfjord area.

COLUMBIDAE Rock Dove Rock Pigeon) Columba livia: All feral. Stock Dove Columba oenas: Three were seen and one heard near Helsinki on our last morning. Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus: Common in the south. Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur: One near Tartu. CUCULIDAE Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus: Scattered records of small numbers were noted in Estonia and

Finland. More often heard than seen. STRIGIDAE Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo: Some decent views of two hooting birds near Oulu. Northern Hawk Owl Surnia ulula: Great views of a family of five in the Ivalo area. Eurasian Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum: Excellent close-up views of an adult next to a nest

box, where six juveniles were waiting to be fed. Tawny Owl Strix aluco (NL): One hooting male was heard by Ian at Hauho. Ural Owl Strix uralensis: Great views of a female and large nestling near Hauho. Great Grey Owl Strix nebulosa: Stunning close-up views of a female with three large chicks at nest

near Heinolai. Long-eared Owl Asio : A family party, including six fledged juveniles and a female were admired in

Helsinki. Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus: A non-leader bird from the vehicle on the way to Oulu, and one in

the fjells on the way to Utsjoki. Tengmalm’s Owl Aegolius funereus: Some well grown chicks in a nest box near Hauho. Cute birds! APODIDAE Common Swift Apus apus: Common in the south, and small numbers at Kuusamo and Luosto, where

they still breed in old woodpecker holes. PICIDAE Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla: Only seen in Estonia. Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus: A few were noted in Estonia. Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius: First seen at Hauho, another one, offering some great views,

at Kuusamo and a third, showing equally well, near Ivalo. Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major: The commonest of the woodpeckers. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor: One was seen well at nest near Helsinki on our

second attempt. In addition there was one leader only bird in Estonia. White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos: Good views of a drumming female in Estonia. Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos (H): We searched quite hard for this bird in Estonia, but

only managed to hear one individual. Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus: Good views of a female near Hauho. ALAUDIDAE Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis: Regularly encountered in the south, and there was one at

Varangerfjord. Horned Lark (Shore Lark) Eremophila alpestris: Difficult to find this year. Only one bird was seen at

Varangerfjord. HIRUNDINIDAE Sand Martin Bank Swallow) Riparia riparia: Regularly encountered in small numbers from Oulu

northwards. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica: Present more or less throughout.

Common House Martin (Northern House Martin) Delichon urbica: Present in Estonia and more or less throughout Finland, but not noted in Norway.

MOTACILLIDAE Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis: Scattered records of small numbers, but not noted in northernmost Finland

and in Norway. Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis: Scarce in the south, common in Norway. Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus: Good views of several around Varangerfjord. Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus: A few around Varangerfjord. Grey-headed Wagtail Motacilla [flava] thunbergi: Encountered at several occasions, but not

particularly common. Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola: Several males, and one male showing hybrid characters, near

Tarto, where this species is nowadays a scarce but regular breeder. In addition one male was noted near Helsinki.

White Wagtail (Pied Wagtail) Motacilla alba: Common throughout. BOMBYCILLIDAE Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus: A total of seven in the north. CINCLIDAE White-throated Dipper (Black-bellied Dipper) Cinclus cinclus: A pair at Kuusamo. TROGLODYTIDAE Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes H): A few were heard in the south. PRUNELLIDAE Dunnock (Hedge Accentor) Prunella modularis: One was seen and a few more heard. TURDIDAE European Robin Erithacus rubecula: Scattered records of small numbers. Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia: Several birds were heard in the South, and good views were

obtained of three different individuals. Bluethroat Luscinia svecica: Good views of a couple of birds in the north. Red-flanked Bluetail (Orange-flanked Bush Robin) Tarsiger cyanurus: Two adult males in full song at

Iivaara near Kuusamo gave excellent views. Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros: A single male in Estonia. Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus: One of the commoner birds of the northern forests. Whinchat Saxicola rubetra: Cin Estonia. In addition small numbers were encountered in the Oulu

area and at Kuusamo. Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe: Scattered records of small numbers. Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus: Seen at Varangerfjord near Vardö, and a single male sitting on a

roadside fence near the bottom of the fjord. Common Blackbird Turdus merula: Seen and heard in woodland in the south. Fieldfare Turdus pilaris: A common bird throughout the tour. Song Thrush Turdus philomelos: A few were heard and seen. Redwing Turdus iliacus: The song of this bird accompanied us all the way through the tour. Several

different song dialects can be heard on a tour through Finland and northern Norway, which is often a cause of confusion to visiting birdwatchers.

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus: Common in the northern forests. SYLVIIDAE Common Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia: Small numbers were heard and seen in the Tartu

area.

River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis: A singing bird was seen well near Helsinki on our last morning. Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides: Good views of one singing individual at Tartu. Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus: Small numbers in the south. Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum: Great views of three different individuals in the

Helsinki area. In addition we heard a couple of these master singers in Tartu and in Helsinki.

Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris: A couple of birds heard and seen near Tarto and in Helsinki. European Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus: Three were seen near Helsinki. Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus: A total of eight in the Tartu area. Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina: Small numbers, including some good views, in Estonia and in

southern Finland. Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca: A handful of birds in the south. Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis: Good numbers in the south. Garden Warbler Sylvia borin: Small numbers in the south. More often heard than seen. Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla: A few birds heard and seen in Estonia and in southern Finland. Wood Warbler Phylloscopus (H): A handful of birds were heard. Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita: Small numbers in the south, and one in the Kuusamo area. Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus: Plenty seen, it is actually the commonest bird in Finland,

throughout the tour. Goldcrest Regulus regulus: A few birds were seen and heard in southern Finland and at Kuusamo. MUSCICAPIDAE Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata: Reasonably numerous in the south, and in the forests of

northern Finland. Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva: One was heard singing in Estonia, and one first-summer

male was seen well near Helsinki. European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca: Small numbers throughout the tour except in Norway. PARIDAE Willow Tit Parus montanus: A handful seen. Siberian Tit Parus cinctus: Great views of this confiding species in the Kuusamo area, and at the

feeder at Kaamanen. Crested Tit Parus cristatus: One was seen well near the Hazel Grouse nest at Hauho. Coal Tit Parus ater(H): One was heard near Helsinki on our last day. Blue Tit Parus caeruleus: Common in the south. Great Tit Parus major: Widespread and common. SITTIDAE Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea: A few were seen in the Tartu area. An Estonian speciality, not

breeding in Finland. CERTHIIDAE Eurasian Treecreeper (Common Treecreeper) Certhia familiaris: A few were seen well at Tartu, and

one was noted at Hauho. REMIZIDAE Eurasian Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus: One was seen, and another one heard at the large

fishponds near Tartu. An Estonian speciality; only a few documented breeding records from Finland.

ORIOLIDAE Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus (H): Two birds were heard only in Estonia.

LANIIDAE Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio: A total of three birds in Estonia and one in southern Finland. CORVIDAE Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius: A few in the south in the south and one in Kuusamo. Siberian Jay Perisoreus infaustus: Great views at Kuusamo. Common Magpie (Black-billed Magpie) Pica pica: Common. Western Jackdaw (Eurasian Jackdaw) Corvus monedula: Seen in the south and around Oulu. Rook Corvus frugilegus: Seen around Tarto in Estonia and in the Oulu area. Hooded Crow Corvus cornix: Very common Common Raven Corvus corax: Good numbers at several sites. STURNIDAE Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris: Common in the south. PASSERIDAE House Sparrow Passer domesticus: Just about everywhere. Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus: A few in Estonia and two at Hauho. FRINGILLIDAE Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs: Common in the south and all the way to Luosto. Brambling Fringilla montifringilla: Common in the northern forests. European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris: Common. European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis: Reasonable numbers were noted in the south. Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus: Only two in Estonia, and none in the south of Finland(!), but

common in the northern forests. Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina: A handful of birds in Estonia. Twite Carduelis : A couple of birds at Varangerfjord. Common (Mealy) Redpoll Carduelis flammea: Small numbers were encountered in the north. Arctic Redpoll (Hoary Redpoll) Carduelis hornemanni: Good views of four birds at a feeder near

Kaamanen. Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra: Quite numerous in the northern forests. In addition a couple of

birds were heard in the south. Parrot Crossbill Loxia pytyopsittacus: A confiding group of three including a red male and two

juveniles at Kuusamo. Common Rosefinch (Scarlet Rosefinch) Carpodacus erythrinus: Several birds were heard and seen in

the south and a few in the Kuusamo and Oulu areas. Pine Grosbeak Pinicola enucleator: Often considered to be the toughest of the Finnish specialities to

find, but surprisingly easy this year! We had our first bird, a first-summer male, singing at Iso-Syöte National Park on the way to Kuusamo. The second encounter was at Iivaara in Kuusamo, where we had a female in the middle of the trail. Best views were, however, obtained at the feeder near Kaamanen, where we had stunning looks of an adult male and two females.

Eurasian Bullfinch (Common Bullfinch) Pyrrhula pyrrhula: Scattered records of small numbers in the Finnish forests.

EMBERIZIDAE Lapland Bunting Lapland Longspur) Calcarius lapponicus: Small numbers at Varangerfjord. Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis: Small numbers at Varangerfjord. Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella: Widespread. Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana: A male was seen, and another one heard at Liminka Bay, near

Oulu. Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica: Two males were seen and a third one heard in the Kuusamo area.

Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla: Good views of two different males in the Kuusamo area. Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus: Common and widespread. MAMMALS Red Fox Vulpes vulpes: Four in the south, and one at Varangerfjord. Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus: Seen at Varanger. Orca (Killer Whale) Orcinus orca: A pod of 10 near Nesseby at Varangerfjord. Magnifico! Harbour Porpoise (Common Porpoise) Phocoena phocoena: One at Varangerfjord. Western Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus: A total of 16 in the south. Elk (Moose) Alces alces: Seen at Kuusamo. Reindeer (domesticated) Rangifer tarandus: Encountered in the north. Eurasian Red Squirrel (Red Squirrel) Sciurus vulgaris: Small numbers on several days. Muskrat Ondatra zibethicus: One in Estonia, and a total of five in the Kuusamo area. Brown Hare Lepus europaeus: Seen in the south. Arctic Hare (Mountain Hare) Lepus timidus: Seen in the north.

Long-eared Owl, juvenile Long-eared Owl, adult

Pygmy Owl, adult female Ural Owl, adult female

Hawk Owl, adult Hawk Owl, juvenileThis stunning owl was the second choice for the bird of the trip

Great Grey Owl Tengmalm's Owl, juvenileThis amazing creature was the bird of the trip

Ptarmigan White StorkRed-flanked Bluetail Terek Sandpiper

Parrot Crossbill Eurasian DotterelLittle Bunting (middle), White-backed Woodp European Shag (middle) Atlantic Puffin