I met Jarmo Koistinen in Peltola and we started searching for the Hoopoe. After some time Jarmo called he had found the bird. I was quite far but luckily the bird stayed on a tree until I got there. We took some pictures and left the bird so it could land somewhere to feed.

I did some shopping in Lappeenranta and then tried to twitch a Shore Lark in Luukkaansalmi without luck. Then I still did shopping in Imatra, checked River Vuoksi on a couple of places and twitched a Blackcap in Kymälahti.

During the week the weather was bad so I saw only a flock of 32 Rock Doves, some Whooper Swans, Mallards, Herring Gulls and Blackbirds.

On the 6th of December we were once again participating Independence Day bird-race in Kouvola. This time we had a team with Hanna and her sister Elissa. We started at 6:30 by searching for a Tawny Owl and then went to search for Wrens on something like that to one wet area. The first species we got were a Blackbird, a Whooper Swan and a Mallard. But then surprisingly a Tawny Owl started calling and we managed to see it briefly.

In Saksanaho we had a White-backed Woodpecker, a Nuthatch and a couple of Long-tailed Tits with some other common species. Then after getting a Dipper we continued to check River Kymi. We had a good start as we found 3 Scaups, 2 Smews, a Goshawk, several Wrens and a Great Grey Shrike but then it went difficult. After some time we got a White-tailed Eagle but once we had started to search for feeder-birds it started snowing. The weather was so bad that we decided to drive to twitch a Greylag Goose but a White-tailed Eagle had scared it away. Luckily on the same place there were a Great Crested Grebe and a Common Scoter.

It seemed that there were good numbers of birds on the river as all the lakes were freezing. So we decided to change our plans and checked the river from a couple of more places and visited one big lake too. But then all the places were completely empty! Only a couple of more White-tailed Eagles were seen – and for sure they were one of the reasons that there were no birds on these places.

So we headed to one village where we had usually seen lots of passerines on feeders but this place was also empty! After all we spent almost a couple of hours without any new species!
Finally in a small forest we had a couple of new tit-species and then on a field nearby saw some Black Grouses. We had then planned to check some bigger fields, but we thought that if there were no birds anywhere else then for sure not on the fields.

So we decided to drive back to the same area where we had been in the morning. In Lappalanjärvi we saw a few Common and a single Herring Gull and then also a Velvet Scoter in small open water are in the middle of the lake.

But it was already getting late. So we went back to Saksanaho and soon heard a Grey-headed Woodpecker calling. Then we decided to try to find Rock Doves under a bridge in Kuusankoski and luckily they were there. When it was dark we tried to find a couple of Hawk Owls without luck. And finally after 10 hours we had found 42 species (and no House Sparrow, Waxwing, Sparrowhawk, Goldfinch, Redpoll and so on)

The other teams had been suffering too and after all the best teams had been on the coastal area of Kymenlaakso. They had got 47, 44 and 43 species. Then Kouvola-competition was tight and our friends Teo and Veikka had found 43 species and with other team we had got 42. Luckily we had more ace-species (species that no other teams had seen) and so we weren’t last. But it wasn’t a bad result as all the other teams were locals and they had been preparing for the race quite a lot. We had decided to participate only a couple of days ago.

On the 7th of December we still visited Saksanaho and Lake Kymi and saw some same species than on the race. Then we drove to Luumäki Huopainen to an old forest where people had been photographing Three-toed Woodpeckers. After some searching we found one male but in dark forest and weather we couldn’t get very good pictures. Then we continued to Lappeenranta and Imatra to do some shopping.

On the 8th day we went to put food to our feeders. Fieldfares were still everywhere and also a couple of Waxbills, a few Blackbirds and then a single Redwing were seen.

On the 9th day on my lunch-hour I saw a White-tailed Eagle while driving to Siikalahti. I went to check our feeders again but saw nothing special. But while driving back to work I saw the same Hawk Owl that hadn’t been seen for a while and then in Huhmarinen I noticed a small raptor on the top of a spruce. It looked promising and when I drove a little bit closer I could identify it as a Merlin. It was my first ever Merlin in winter in Parikkala.

On the 10th day I saw once again a dark-looking shrike in Siikalahti. I hadn’t got my scope or camera with me, but the bird looked similar than a bird that I had seen on last 2 winters too. 2 years ago we had managed to find some pellets and sent then to Rarity committee and Natural Museum so maybe one day someone can tell what these birds are – just aberrant Great Grey Shrikes or Northern Shrikes…

During the week I saw the same Hawk Owl, woodpeckers, nuthatches, a Dipper, Long-tailed Tits and so on. At Saturday the weather was still OK for birding and we saw the same birds again and also a Sparrowhawk and a Great Grey Shrike and a nice Pine Marten. But then it started snowing a lot.

And during the week I still saw White-backed Woodpeckers, a White-tailed Eagle, a Great Grey Shrike, a Hazel Hen, a Coal Tot and still Fieldfares. But finally it was Christmas-holiday and we headed to warmth of Costa Rica again!

J.A.

On the 3rd of December we birded whole daylight with Hanna. First we headed to Siikalahti Tiviä to put feeder up. While we were walking towards our feeding place we found a Dipper on a ditch! It was a new Siikalahti-tick for both of us – my number 249! On the feeder we saw a Nuthatch, a White-backed Woodpecker and a Grey-headed Woodpecker. Then we went to Raikanniemi to put up another feeder and while driving along Raikantie we found a Capercaillie perched on a top of a big pine. It was my second ever Capercaillie in Siikalahti and another tick for Hanna! It was maybe the first time in 2000th century that Hanna got 2 Siikalahti-ticks in same day – or at least in an hour!

In the afternoon we still went to Rautjärvi Simpele Kokkolanjoki where we found a Velvet Scoter in Uudensillankoski.

On the 5th evening we drove to Kouvola with Hanna and Veikka Kosonen. Hanna and her sister Elissa started planning their race while with Veikka and Teo Ylätalo we went to eat and plan our next day.

On the 6th of December we had a traditional Independence Day bird-race. We started early but once again we found no birds before the sun started to rise. And then our first species were very common ones – Common Redpoll, Yellowhammer and Bullfinch.

First we were driving around in a big forest area where Teo had recently seen several good species but we weren’t very lucky. After all we heard a couple of Black Woodpeckers and heard one and saw a another Pygmy Owl. Of course some forest-tits and Black Grouses and so on were found but we could have done much better.

Once we got out from the forest we started to do well. We managed to twitch a Blackcap very quickly, saw a Velvet Scoter, a couple of White-backed Woodpeckers, a Nuthatch, Blackbirds, a Fieldfare, Siskins and so on and then the highlight were 3 Kingfishers in one place! We also found a Wren but Woodcock was one more disappointment as it wasn’t where Teo had seen it a couple of days earlier.

In Tolkkila fields we found a big flock of Common Redpolls with some Arctic Redpolls, Goldfinches and Linnets and after long trying we also found a single Twite.

It was already getting late when we got Starlings, a Dipper and a Grey-headed Woodpecker, but Pheasants were found even though we really tried. Then we had to still hurry to go to our last place where we still managed to see an Eagle Owl.

All best teams had been racing in Kouvola-area but still with our 47 species we were only third. Winners had found even 52 species! The second team had the same amount of species with us but they had a single ace-species (a species that was only on their team) and we had none.

On the 9th of December I drove to Imatra to photograph a female Two-barred Crossbill that was visiting a feeder. I got so good pictures that I still decided to continue to Lappeenranta to photograph Twites that were visiting a feeder too. They weren’t so easy but after all I got a couple of pictures. On the trip I also saw 4 Nuthatches, a White-backed Woodpecker and a Common Teal.

On the 10th day I surprisingly saw and heard a lonely Two-bared Crossbill flying over me in Siikalahti and it was my 221st species in Parikkala and 195 in Siikalahti this year. Only a couple of these species have been twitched so quite big numbers of birds can be seen in a year inland.

In mid December we were both sick, first Hanna and then I. So I did only short trips to see the same Marsh Tit, woodpeckers and so on.

J.A.

On the 6th day was Bird-towere competition and our team had us three and Matti Lötjönen and Harri Hölttä. Morning was cold but calm so the visibility was really good. In a couple of hours we saw a lot of species and the best one was a Little Grebe that Pirkka found. Other nice birds were a male Long-tailed Duck that was calling, a flock of migrating Common Scoters, a Gadwall, a couple of Garganeys and so on. Surprisingly there weren’t any Pintails anymore. Pretty soon it came difficult to find new species but of course we saw some like a flock of 3 Black-tailed Godwits, a Red-throated Diver, 2 Lapland Buntings, a Common Crossbill, a Linnet, a Black Woodpecker and a Spotted Redshank and so on. When the day got a little bit warmer some raptors were seen but only better one was a Black Kite. A Short-eared Owl was a nice surprise and finally also a Greater Spotted Eagle was seen migrating. Pretty soon after the eagle it started snowing very hard! So it wasn’t a surprise that even after the weather got better, we got no more new species and 1 p.m. the race was over. After all we had seen 90 species and the first time ever we were third in Parikkala as Pohjanranta got even 97 and Tarassiinlahti 91 species.

In the afternoon we dropped Hanna to Suurenjärvenliete and there we immediately saw a Peregrine flying over us. While we were fixing Hanna’s tent Pirkka saw a male Citrine Wagtail briefly but luckily it was refound soon with a female! Hanna was already in the hide and soon the flock of wagtails were feeding right in front of her and Hanna could photograph both Citrine Wagtails the rest of the evening! In Suurenjärvenliete we saw also 77 Greenshanks, in Kanavalampi we saw a pair of Gadwalls and 2 male Pochards, the same Bar-tailed Godwit and a Redshank and a Merlin and another Merlin was in Pohjanranta. On the way back to Parikkala we still saw a female Capercaillie. At night we still visited Siikalahti where we heard Jacksnipes in a couple of places and saw a Long-eared Owl.

On the 7th of May we slept longer and then went to see that a Little Ringed Plover was still in Kukonkanta and close to Siikalahti we saw a Stock Dove and a Nuthatch. On dam-road we were mostly talking with other birders but luckily Perttu Valonen was still focused on birds and found a White Stork migrating. We also heard a Redshank and I saw a Cuckoo migrating but otherwise it was pretty quiet. So we went to eat and then Pirkka had to start a long way back to Lapland. But he stopped some times on the way and in Sotkamo he found a Sociable Lapwing!

After I had slept long I went to pick up Hanna. In Kanavalampi there were still a couple of Gadwalls and in Jyrkilä I saw a Short-eared Owl.

On the 8th day I twitched a Wryneck in Moskuunniemi and in the afternoon we were checking empty owl nest-boxes. On the 9th day together with Harri Partanen we drove to Pohjanranta where a couple of Red-breasted Geese and a Marsh Sandpiper had been seen. There were lots of Barnacle Geese swimming but I found one Red-breasted Goose easily. After some time I found also another nice bird from the flock – a female Common Shelduck – which is much more difficult bird here than a Red-breasted Goose. We still checked Pohjasuo and found another or the same Red-breasted Goose there.

On the 10th day a Sedge Warbler was singing in Siikalahti and a Lesser Whitethroat in Kannas. In the afternoon we did waterbird counts in Saari and the best birds were an Oystercatcher in Tarassii, two pairs of Gadwalls and a pair of Slavonian Grebes in Akonpohja and in Pohjanranta there was a Marsh Sandpiper. There were also thousands of Barnacle Geese everywhere but nothing else really. At night we still went to listen to some places with Harri Partanen but only better birds we heard were a couple of Thrush Nightingales in Siikalahti. But we saw a Tawny Owl in Sammallampi and a Long-eared Owl in Kontiolampi.

On the 11th of May a Common Whitethroat was singing in Siikalahti and a Little Ringed Plover and a female Hen Harrier were migrating. In the evening more empty owl nest-boxes were checked. And on the 12th day only birds to mention were a Wryneck in Siikalahti and a Slavonian Grebe in Vartialahti,

J.A.

On the 6th of December we woke up at 5:20 and at 6 o’clock Teo came to pick me up. We started from the owl-place but of course we couldn’t find it. We checked many fields but found absolutely nothing and finally at 8:15 we were picking up Antti Vänskä and then headed to Tanttari.

When sun was rising we heard the first birds – Bullfinches. And soon we started to find other common birds too but also a Wren, a Grey-headed Woodpecker, a Hazel Hen and a Pygmy Owl.

We continued to Kymi-river and found a Kingfisher and a Grey Heron easily and of course some Whooper Swans, Mallards, Goldeneyes and Goosanders. Abd after some more places along the river we had seen also a Common Scoter, a couple of Velvet Scoters and a Great Grey Shrike. Then a couple of Dippers were also seen easily.

But then neither Collared Doves or a Nutcracker were found. Only a flock of Common Crossbills were seen before we started to drive towards south. A Hawk Owl was found easily and we also saw a flock of Black Grouses before we continued to Raussila where we had got info about Stock Doves and Grey Partridges. They were both found surprisingly easily so we had time to drive until Tammijärvi where a Smew and a couple of Sparrowhawks were seen.

Collared Doves didn’t show up on the second try either but a Chaffinch was found while searching for them. Then another visit to Raussila area gave us a Common Kestrel and soon we had to hurry to see Pheasants. Then we finally made it to rubbish tip where all Jackdaws and Hooded Crows had already left but luckily we still saw a couple of Goshawks, a Common Buzzard and also surprisingly a couple of Linnets.

Then sun had already set and the last hour and a half we tried to find Long-eared Owls but without luck. At 4:30 p.m. the rally ended and at 5 o’clock we were in Anjalankoski ABC where we first had pizza and the the results were given. There had been only 5 teams in the race, 3 in Kouvola, biking in Kotka and one along the coast.

Surprisingly Team Gulls had got 54 species and won. We had also had a pretty good day but still missed some too easy birds like a Fieldfare, a Long-tailed Tit or some woodpeckers and so on. Anyway we had got 52 species and came second. Third team had some species less and then Hanna and Elissa had found 39 species in Kouvola. They also had a couple of “aces” and several species that we had missed. So they had managed quite well as the first-timers.

In the evening we had a long drive to Parikkala where everything is already covered with snow and ice so there won’t be much bird-news before spring…

J.A.

On the 3rd day the best birds were a couple of Garganeys in Siikalahti. In the afternoon we headed to Saari and on the was saw a Slavonian Grebe and a couple of Common Scoters in Särkisalmi. In Saari we saw a Spotted Redshank in Akonpohja, a couple of Gadwalls, in Kanavalampi, a couple of Ruffs in Jyrkilä and a Red-throated Diver in Pohjanranta. Also lots of Greenshanks, Common Snipes and Pintails and some Wood Sandpipers and Common Sandpipers. On the next evening I heard a Long-eared Owl in Siikalahti.

On the 5th I saw a Whinchat in Siikalahti and 4 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 10 Barn Swallows and 6 House Martins in Särkisalmi. Pirkka arrived at night to spend traditional Bird-tower competition weekend.

On the 6th day early in the morning I saw 11 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Common Scoters, 3rd c-y Great Black-backed Gull and heard a couple of Pied Flycatchers, a Willow Warbler and a Hawfinch in Särkisalmi. On my lunch-hour I went to Siikalahti where dam-road tower was almost full. A Merlin, a couple of Sand Martins and Yellow Wagtails were the birds to mention. In the afternoon we headed to Saari and checked Lemmikonsalmi on the way where we saw 10 Long-tailed Ducks and 6 Common Scoters.

In Saari we saw a couple of Gadwalls, a Slavonian Grebe, a Black Kite and a Peregrine and heard a Common Cuckoo in Akonpohja, saw a Goshawk in Riionsalmi, a couple of Northern Wheatears and Stock Doves in Karinmäki, a Common Ringed Plover in Jyrkilä, a couple of Hazel Hens, a Temminck Stint, 95 Wood Sandpipers, 60 Common Snipes and 10 Lapland Buntings in Suurenjärvenliete. It was getting late when we started to drive back to Parikkala but still stopped in Kinnarniemi Lääviensuo to check more Barnacle Geese. We had checked about 50 000 of them but in this last flock we got the price and found a beautiful male Red-breasted Goose!

On the 7th of May we woke up before 4 a.m. and soon heard a Common Redstart singing in our back-yard. And pretty soon we were walking towards Siikalahti bird-tower. In Kasinmäki we heard a Wood Warbler singing and it seemed that spring had really taken big steps at night.

Before 5 a.m. also Matti Lötjönen arrived and our small team was ready to start the race. We started with a couple of Greater Scaups that were the closest birds on the bay. Also other ducks were seen soon as we even managed to see Smews, Pintails, 2 male Garganeys and a couple of Gadwalls. The weather was great but still there were not many migrants moving. Also visibility was amazing but we couldn’t find any important passerines from the tops of trees around the bay. Willow Warblers and a Pied Flycatcher were heard but many easy species were missing like a Robin and a Dunnock. Luckily all thrushes were seen after a hard work. During the day wind got very strong and we really couldn’t get many passerines to our list.

But other birds were going well and during the morning we saw an Oystercatcher, several Common Sandpipers, a Lesser Spotted, a White-backed and as the biggest surprise of the day also a Three-toed Woodpecker! A linnet and a Common Crossbill were heard but only a couple of Siskins were seen and no other carduelis-species.

Luckily the hard southern wind also brought some birds during the day. We saw a couple of Black Kites, even 2 2nd c-y Pallid Harriers, a Hen Harrier, a couple of Rough-legged Buzzards and Hobbies, 2 Cormorants, a Rook, a Stock Dove, a Whimbrel and then also a sub-adult Greater Spotted Eagle and a White Stork!

During the day the wind was so hard that there was not many birds moving anymore. So in the last 2 hours we got only a single new bird – a Goshawk. After all we had seen 95 species and in whole country we were the 15th best tower and once again the best tower inland. Also Pohjanranta and Tarassiinlahti were once again on the top of inland competition.

After we had eaten we relaxed just a little and then did a short afternoon trip. We saw a Tengmalm’s Owl looking from nest-hole, a couple of Grey-headed Woodpeckers and some other species that we hadn’t seen in the competition. In the evening we also did a short trip but it was raining and the only better birds were a couple of Greylag Geese in Kullinsuo.

On the 8th day we slept longer and left birding at 7 a.m. Hanna had been spending night in Suurenjärvenliete again so with Pirkka we headed to Saari and we were supposed to be in Suurenjärvenliete at midday.

On the way we saw a couple of Gadwalls in Härskiinmutka and heard a Lesser Whitethroat and a Blackcap in Moskuunniemi. Then we drove to Ruokosuo to twitch a White Stork that had been found in the evening. And there it was perched on the top of a post.

We decided to visit Akanvaara Tetrisuo where we saw a Short-eared Owl and a Hen Harrier before drove back to Ruokosuo where the White Stork was now feeding on the field. We parked our car next to the field and surprisingly the stork decided to walk next to us only 4 or 5 meters from us. So I got some really good pictures! Nearby in Pohjasuo we saw 64 Golden Plovers.

In Pohjanranta we saw the same White Stork that was now flying towards south. It was flying shortly with a White-tailed Eagle before moved on. We continued to Akonpohja where we found a Black-tailed Godwit and a Common Ringed Plover and from the tower we saw 4 Common Scoters.

In Kanavalampi we saw a couple of Gadwalls but then we had to continue to Suurenjärvenliete where we still saw a Little Ringed Plover and 11 Spotted Redshanks. Hanna was ready and soon we drove to do some shopping to Saari where we then sayd goodbye to Pirkka who started a long way back to Kemijärvi. We also drove back home to relax.

J.A.

The 4th day was extremely cold but anyway we went to put up a feeder for woodpeckers to Siikalahti-area. On the way in Kaukola fields we found a flock of 500 Yellowhammers. We of course checked if there were something else but with only binoculars it seemed difficult. But then some birds started to land in front of us to the road and the third closest bird was a Lapland Bunting! It was the first ever in winter in Parikkala and only about sixth in South Karelia – the last one we had found in Joutseno in February 2018. It was my 100th winter-species ever in Parikkala.

In the evening I drove to Kouvola where I got accommodation from Teo Ylätalo again. We still went to search for snipes with headlights but we had no luck.

On the 5th day we left birding around 8 a.m. and same time also Antti Vänskä went to other places to prepare for the next day’s Independence Day bird-race. It was really cold – about -20 degrees and freezing northern wind.

First we saw almost nothing, just a couple of Pheasants and a flock of 40 Goldfinches. In Mustila arboretum we found 2 Nuthatches, Willow and Coal Tits and Treecreepers but nothing else. Then we headed to Elimäki fields where we drove around quite a lot and finally found a flock of 500 Yellowhammers and one single Linnet. But then from the same field we flushed a flock of 20 Grey Partridges! It was my 251st spontaneous species this year which is my record.

A known Hawk Owl was seen easily and then in Ratula we first saw a White-tailed Eagle and then found a green field with of course some snow but it was absolutely full of birds! We estimated about 250 Gold Finches, 100 Chaffinches, 5 Linnets and 10 Brambling before a Sparrowhawk came and chased the flock around. But anyway it was clear that we had to come back on the next day and check the flock more carefully.
We didn’t find anything else but calls to Antti told us that he had managed even better and it started to look very promising for the next day. In the evening we still checked one ditch for snipes before went to eat to a Chinese restaurant together and planned the next day’s schedule.

On the 6th of December we woke up early and before 6 a.m. we left with Teo to search for owls. It was snowing heavily so once again weather forecasts were completely wrong. We didn’t find owls and before 8 we went to pick up Antti and continued to Saksanaho. There we walked to a wet forest to wait. And after some waiting we heard the first Fieldfares, a Blackbird, a Blue Tit, a White-backed Woodpecker, a Siskin, a Treecreeper and then 2 Wrens too. But only Antti heard a Robin and it was not enough as more than half of the team has to identify a species to get a tick in a bird-race. After some waiting I left to drive the car to the other side of the forest where Antti and Teo would walk. But on the way I heard a Robin. I ran back and also Antti had heard a Robin in the same time but from different direction! So we couldn’t count it as we had heard different birds. But luckily Antti and Teo had got a Grey-headed Woodpecker. After we had tried my Robin for some time too, we all walked back toward the car but checked a couple of feeders on the way – and got some common species to our list. Next we continued to one forest-feeder nearby where we saw another White-backed Woodpecker and after some waiting we saw a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. We had really started well!

And next we continued to a place that Antti had found on the previous day. Surprisingly the weather had cleared and sun was shining now. Se we had hopes very high! The place was a small open pool which was full of Mallards. But there were also a family of whooper Swans and when the Mallards flushed we saw also a Teal and a Pintail! And then after some walking also a Grey Heron was seen in flight. And this was not all! In a forest nearby we immediately heard a Pine Grosbeak and after checking some flocks of Common Crossbills, we found 5 Two-barred Crossbills! We also had the first Great Grey Shrike of the day. Unfortunately we missed a Sparrowhawk that only Antti saw but luckily we soon saw a couple of them.

A Velvet Scoter that Antti had seen on the previous day was gone, but a Collared Dove was found quickly. We were even too quickly as we forgot to search for House Sparrows in the same place. Hawfinch was also missing but then in a forest nearby we were lucky again as we found always very difficult Three-toed Woodpecker, a Goldcrest and the second Grey-headed Woodpecker of the day. Soon we ticked Goldeneyes and Goosanders on the river and then headed towards our yesterday’s birds.

In Mustila we heard a Nuthatch immediately and saw a Willow Tit. Soon we found also Coal Tits and surprisingly also a Crested Tit. Next we continued to Elimäki fields and surprisingly a Pheasant was in the same spot in the middle of the field again. Also the Grey Partridges were found again – this time there were 18 birds on the other corner of the field than on the previous day.

We tried two different known Hawk Owls but without luck. So we had to hope that we could find a new one somewhere. Next we went to our green field and saw Gold Finches, at least 250 Chaffinches, 50 Linnets, 10 Bramblings and after some searching we found also a Twite. It was my 252nd spontaneous year-tick. As we still hadn’t seen Hawk Owl, Black Woodpecker or Black Grouse, we decided to drive along a longer road towards our next destination and it was good as Teo found a Hawk Owl perched on a wire on one field.

Next we headed to a rubbish tip where we found Starlings and finally also House Sparrows. Then we continued to Dipper place and after a long wait and search we finally found one.

It was already getting late when we went back to forest-feeder to see if Long-tailed Tits were feeding before they go to sleep. And there they were!

Last hour or so we still tried to find an Eagle Owl but at 4:30 p.m. the rally ended and we drove to a service nearby where the results were given after pizzas. There were 4 teams and after the 25 most ordinary-species we were in second place. Of course some sea-birds like Mute Swans and gulls had been seen on the coast. But soon it was clear that we had seen more species than other teams. And after all we won with our 54 species quite clearly, as the rest of the teams had seen 43 to 45 species. We had been in Kouvola all the time but the race area was whole Kymenlaakso. Our result was the second best in Kouvola ever and it had been real winter now! Antti told that this had been his best Independence race ever. And still we had missed species like Robin, Hawfinch, Black Woodpecker, Black Grouse, Hazel Hen, Redwing, almost all raptors and owls, all gulls and so on. So maybe one day we can get 60 species?

Finally it was time to say goodbye to everyone. Teo dropped me to my car and I had a long drive back to Parikkala. It had been a great visit in Kouvola again! Next serious birding is probably on the 1st of January 2022..

Well I visited the woodpecker-feeder on the next day but it was quiet. A Long-tailed Tit visited trees next to it and on the parking place I saw and heard a Pine Grosbeak when it flew over me.

J.A.

I stopped only once on the way to fill the tank and buy some snacks and finally after 9 a.m. I was in Kempele Vihiluoto. Miska Loippo had arrived a little bit earlier and together we went to bird-tower to check the water-level and of course birds there.

There were lots of birds: a couple of Mute Swans, a Common Shelduck, several Pintails, Gadwalls and a Garganey, about 20 Greater Scaups, a Slavonian Grebe, a couple of Red-necked Grebes, a Pheasant, a Great Bittern, a couple of Black-tailed Godwits, a flock of Broad-billed Sandpipers, a few Temminck Stints, a Short-eared Owl and a Bullfinch was heard. In a short visit in the evening we saw so many birds that we started to think if we should start our bird-race here next day?

After 11 p.m. I went to pick up my brother Pirkka from Oulu railway-station and finally after midnight we were ready to go to sleep in our comfortable room in hotel Vihiluoto.

PPLY bird-race

On the 29th of May Antti Vierimaa arrived at Vihiluoto and soon we had packed our car full of optics, food and birders. Miska had managed to visit the bird-tower briefly and he hadn’t seen as many birds as in the evening but he had seen a Pochard there. Anyway we decided to stay in ordinary plan and were soon driving towards Oulu Sanginjoki,

We checked a couple of places on the way but found nothing interesting and the drove to Kupareisenpolku. Already on the parking place we heard a Red-flanked Bluetail singing and as we knew it was very late day for this species, we decided to begin our race at 11:26 a.m. The race had to bee started between 11 and 12 o’clock.

But the rest of the forest was very quiet. After some time we had found only a Common Crossbill and a Treecreeper. So we soon had to move on. Our next bird was a young Ural Owl that was seen already far when it was sitting inside the nest-box. The we hurried to listen to a Wren that Antti knew and after some searching it was finally found. Luckily we also saw a Sparrowhawk and a Honey Buzzard there. And soon we were ticking a Pygmy Owl on its nest. Also this bird was just quickly listened so we didn’t really disturb the bird.

Next we headed to Pateniemi where we found out that there was very windy on the coast. Little Ringed Plovers were found easily but only other better bird we found was a Pheasant. In Oritkari we saw only a Northern Wheatear and luckily saw a migrating Rough-legged Buzzard and also the second Honey Buzzard of the day

We were late in our schedule so we almost skipped Oululahti but luckily decided to go there anyway and saw 20 Broad-billed Sandpipers, a Little Stint and a Caspian Tern there. In Vihiluoto the sea was quite rough but still we managed to see Greater Scaups, a Garganey, a Common Shelduck and some Velvet Scoters there. We had hoped to see more but the weather was against us. While driving towards Kempele we saw some Black-tailed Godwits on one field and then in Kempele we managed to find a calling Collared Dove quite easily. Then our next target was an Ortolan Bunting which wasn’t easy as it was singing very far and staying mostly quiet but finally we all heard it.

It was so windy that we made a decision to spent a lot of time for only one species and drove a long way to Relletti to tick a Great Grey Owl. On the way back we tried to twitch a Pallid Harrier couple that had been seen on one field several times but we weren’t lucky. But we were lucky to see a couple of Short-eared and one Long-eared Owl.

Finally we parked to Liminka Virkkula and walked to the tower where the wind was still strong. Some Broad-billed Sandpipers and Caspian Terns were seen but then we heard a Marsh Sandpiper calling and the bird was also seen. Then we saw a migrating harrier that first looked like a female Montagu’s Harrier but when it finally started soaring, it looked more like a Pallid – so it was left unidentified.

In Lumijoki Sannanlahti we saw some Barnacle Geese and n Arctic Skua on Lamukari and on the shore bay there were some Red-necked Phalaropes swimming. Also one Yellow Wagtail was seen.

It was already getting late when we headed to twitch a Tengmalm’s Owl that Antti had found while preparing to the race and then in Siikajoki Tauvo Merikylä we saw that there was still some migration going on far on the sea. So we quickly headed to Kaasa where we still managed to see some flocks of Common Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks and also a lonely Red-necked Grebe.

Then it was time to head to Munahieta. I was till closing the doors of our car while the others saw a Ural Owl. Then in Munahieta we found out that water-level was so low that there was a huge sandy plateau! After some walking we realized that it would take whole night to see the possible waders that usually were on the other side of Ulkonokka and we decided to turn back. With Pirkka we saw briefly a Merlin in flight but as more than half of the team has to see the bird we couldn’t get a single new species!

But now we managed to save some time so soon we headed to Säikänlahti that wasn’t in our ordinary schedule at all. And luckily there was a male Smew with many Goldeneyes.

The day changed while we were heading to Hummasti where we once again heard a couple of Jack Snipes. In Raahe we heard a Water Rail in Aittalahti, saw Canada Geese and a Lesser Black-backed Gull in Lapaluoto and then twitched a Great Reed Warbler in Järvelänjärvi. It was a new North-Botnic species for me. In Raahe city we still saw a Starling before we hurried towards Pyhäjoki to find night-singers. In Teerelänpuhto we heard a Stock Dove and then along Eteläinen Penkkatie we heard a couple of Thrush Nightingales and a single Blackcap.

Morning sea-watch was made in Ulkoharmi where we spent some time to find a suitable place and then ended up to a swimming beach. From the sea we found some Black-throated Divers and one Red-throated Diver and then surprisingly heard a Willow Grouse calling on the shore! But nothing else was seen so soon we did hit the road again.

In Parhalahti we saw nothing new but then second visits in Aittalahti and Järvelänjärvi gave us Coots and Slavonian Grebes. Those grebes had a nest too close so we almost didn’t see it at all!

In morning we hurried towards Siikajoki Vartti and then got a message that there was a Bee-eater right next to the cross there! So we headed there even faster than normally but anyway the bird was already long gone. There were some teams and other twitchers so we stopped there anyway briefly and it was a good stop as a Blyth’s Reed Warbler was singing and 2 Waxwings were seen. But soon we continued to Vartti where Antti had once again prepared well for us!

Soon we saw Black Woodpecker nestlings and then heard a Hawk Owl before we were even close to the nest. The along one forest-road Miska found a distant harrier displaying on the sky and soon we found out that there was a couple. They were far and in horrible light but slowly they came closer and closer and finally we could identify them as Pallid Harriers! And then we saw this couple chasing a Goshawk!

Our traditional bog-visit was again good as we saw a Golden Plover and a Whimbrel. a Few timed we had found a Montagu’s Harrier territory there but now we saw only a Hen Harrier which was a tick anyway. We were in a hurry so we had to continue towards the shore as we still missed many waders. On the way we finally saw some House Sparrows but in Alhonmäki we saw nothing new. Then in Karinkanta we saw a couple of Red-backed Shrikes but in Säärenranta the wind was awful again so no more species were seen.

Finally 24 hours were full and slowly we drove to Liminka Virkkula where I dropped Antti and Pirkka to go to do the log. I gad to go to drop Miska to Vihiluoto so he could start driving home. Finally I drove back to Virkkula to listen the results. Kalle Hiekkanen, Pauli-Pekka Österberg, Eino Hiekkanen and Ville Suorsa won with 161 species but we were second with our 154 species. The third team had got 150 species. After all we could be satisfied with our result as most of us were living far from Oulu and Antti hadn’t been birding much in resent years. Anyway he had done huge work with preparations during the last 32 weeks so thanks Antti!

I was already very tired when I dropped Antti to Vihiluoto to continue home with his car. Then we still went to eat with Pirkka before I dropped him to the railway-station and then I drove to my brother Riku. After some time I was ready to go to sleep and after all I slept for 14 hours in Riku’s caravan.

Tauvo

On the 31st of May I woke up and it had been raining a lot. I visited Vihiluoto, Kiviniemi and Oritkari and saw some Dunlins and Gadwall – both species we had missed on the race. Other birds I saw were the same birds than before. In the afternoon I went to Riku’s place but in the evening I picked up Antti and we headed to Siikajoki Tauvo ringing station.

We were driving past Merikylä crossing when Antti shouted: “What the hell is that – a Turkey!” I stopped the car and indeed there was a Turkey couple walking along the road! We took some pictures of thees escapees before continued the last kilometers to Tauvo.

We got our stuff to station and after some time Matti Tynjälä, who was going to ring in the station for whole season, woke up. It was about 10 p.m. and we had planned to sleep a little bit before the morning but soon we were putting up the mist-nets. After all I slept for a couple of hours and then went to help Matti.

The best bird of the morning from the mist-nets was a Bluthroat but even better bird was an Eagle Owl that was heard calling. Also Antti woke up early enough to hear it. It was nice morning and we caught some Pied and Spotted Flycatchers and so on, but later most birds were just Willow Warblers. With Antti we checked the nets for whole morning and saw about 100 Common Crossbills and heard a Red-throated Diver.

At midday we slept a couple of hours again and then in the afternoon we went to walk around whole Ulkonokka. It was once again very difficult to get to Munahieta because of there was so much water on the meadow and reedbeds, but finally we made it and then it was a long way to walk around the sandy plateau. 48 adult and 24 young Greylag Geese, 4 Common Shelducks, 19 Dunlins, a Red Knot, 59 Broad-billed Sanspipers, a Red-necked Phalarope, a Little Tern and a couple of Arctic Skuas were the best birds we saw.

In the evening Matti started to talk about a Blyth’s Reed Warbler that he had ringed on the morning before we had arrived. He wondered why it had been so short-winged. I asked if he had any pictures of the bird and once he showed the first picture I was shocked – he had ringed a Paddyfield Warbler – the first for North-Botnic! Luckily it had been several hours before we had arrived and not for example while we had been walking a round Ulkonokka…

In the evening I slept a couple of hours again and then woke up to check mist-nets. It was quite poor night and in the morning there were only a few Willow Warblers coming. So after all I went to sleep for 5 more hours and when I woke up Antti had also just awaken.

Hailuoto

In the afternoon we still helped Matti to close the nets and then drove to Oulu where I dropped Antti at home and then I decided to continue to Hailuoto. I managed to drive straight to a ferry and soon I was in Hailuoto. There I still checked Potinhamina where I saw 16 Common Shelducks, 2 Arctic Skuas, 8 Caspian Terns and 3 Dunlins and then still saw a Short-eared Owl in Keskikylä before I was in Marjaniemi where I started to sleep in my car.

On the 3rd of June I woke after a couple of hours sleeping and walked to the tip to seawatch at 2:10 a.m. After a couple of hours I finally saw the first migranting Common Scoters. Then in few hours I saw altogether 34 Razorbills, 103 Cormorants and also Common and Velvet Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Black and Red-throated Divers and a single Short-eared Owl.

In the morning I drove to Keskiniemi where I walked long walks to both directions along the shore. Between the walks I slept a couple of hours in my car. There weren’t many birds but one Sanderling and one Broad-billed Sandpiper were found and well photographed. Also a couple of Turnstones, Common Ringed Plovers, a couple of Gadwalls and Common Shellducks were seen.

Then I still visited Kirkkosalmi, Ulkokarvo and Potinhamina but only bird to mention was a Black-tailed Godwit. Then I drove to the harbor and soon I was on the ferry back to Oulunsalo.

Sea-Lapland

Next I drove a couple of hours to Kemi where I finally parked to “Allu” Hamari’s garden. Allu had prepared a good meal and after that we watched ice-hockey from television. I was already really tired when Allu told that we had two choices, either we would leave immediately birding or then at 7 a.m. I thought that 7 a.m. was too late as the weather-forecast was very hot for the next day. So after all only 30 minutes later Jouko Kärkkäinen came to pick us up and we headed to Ajos harbor. There we tried to start the engine of Jouko’s boat but even though the engine had just been on service, it didn’t start! Luckily Allu had another engine and after an hour delay we were finally on the sea!

It was again much windier than it was told to be so it was very wet ride! Soon we were all freezing. The first stop was made to make us warm mostly on one small rock but then in Keilakrunni we saw some really good birds! We saw 3 Common Eiders and 7 Black Guillemot there and they are not common birds in Lapland!

Then we continued to our main destination to Selkä-Sarvi where we did counts by walking around the whole island. Some Turnstones, Temmink Stints, a couple of Arctic Skuas and a Razorbill were seen there.

Then we just enjoyed summer morning on the island before we headed back to the sea. We checked several islands and rocks before we were on the shore again where we still started to check some places. Some more Turnstones, Arctic Skuas and a Velvet Scoter and so on were seen and then even 3 Garganeys but then I started to feel far too tired to continue. It was still a long and bumpy way back to Ajos and finally we were back to Allu’s place where I finally got possibility to go to sleep again. An I slept for 14 hours again.

To north

During the day we left driving north with Allu, both with own cars. In Tervola we ticked a Thrush Nightingale that Allu and Jouko had found earlier and also heard a Chiffchaff and saw a Starling before we continued to Rovaniemi.

In Rovaniemi we checked first Suksiaapa where we saw a couple of Slavonian Grebes, a Smew and a Black Woodpecker. In Niskanperä we saw a Red-throated Diver and a Common Scoter and in Harjulampi a couple of Great Crested Grebes. In Aronperä we saw nothing interesting so soon we continued towards Kemijärvi.

In Kemijärvi we went to check Sellu sewage pools with Pirkka as he had found a Ring-necked Duck there a couple of days earlier. But the duck wasn’t found vut we saw a couple of Gadwalls, a Garganey, a Red-throated Diver, a few Temminck Stints and 13 Jackdaws – good preparation for the race anyway.

After we had eaten pizza with Pirkka’s family, we started driving towards north again. In Pelkosenniemi Savukoski crossing we tried to find Little Buntings but found a Rustic Bunting. A White-tailed Eagle fle over us too. In Sokanaapa we saw a Great Grey Shrike, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Black-throated Diver and some Smews.

In Sodankylä we stopped in Ilmakkiaapa where only a couple of Bean Geese and a Broad-billed Sandpiper were observed but then Iso Moskujärvi was excellent! First we found a couple of White-fronted Geese, then Velvet and Common Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Shovelers, Black-throated Divers, a Goshawk and heard a Lesser Whitethroat. Also Sompiojärvi was good as we saw 16 White-tailed Eagles, lots od Smews, Velvet Scoters, a Spotted Redshank and when it was getting late we heard and saw altogether four Willow Grouses.

Finally we were in Saariselkä where Allu had managed to get us a cottage. There we had sauna before we went to sleep.

On the 6th of June we hit the road only a 8 a.m. and in Laanila river we found nothing but on the feeder of Savottakahvila we found a couple of Pine Grosbeaks. In Kaunispää hillside we found easily a single Dotterel. In Kaamanen 4 Tuulen Tupa we stopped for coffee and ice-cream and and saw a Siberian Tit on the feeder.

Then we headed to Inari Ivalo Mellanaapa where we met Juhani Honkola and saw a Jackdaw, a Rough-legged Buzzard and a couple of Lapwings.

In Utsjoki we headed to Skalluvaara where on the pools we saw a couple of Greater Scaups, Red-necked Phalaropes, a couple of Bluethroats, 8 Long-tailed Skuas and a tame Temminck Stint.

In Mantojärvi we saw one more Rough-legged Buzzard. We had heard that there were almost no voles and lemmings in whole Lapland, so there were almost no raptors either. On Utsjoki Ailigas we were lucky to find a Ptarmigan immediately when we reached the top and then in the village we saw a Siberian Tit flying in front of our car. Then we still followed Teno river and made some stops on the way to Karigasniemi and saw a White-tailed Eagle and a Merlin. I managed to see one Ptarmigan in flight on the top of one mountain on Norwegian side of the river.

But the best observation of the whole day had been a Lynx that we saw crossing the road somewhere on the way. It stopped pretty close next to the road but behind some bushes but I managed to get some pictures of it. Then it walked further but stopped to stare at us so that only its head was visible.

In the evening we got an apartment in hotel in Karigasniemi and we watched icehockey WC final Finland – Canada. Unfortunately Finland lost in overtime and finally we were able to go to sleep.

Lapland bird-race

In the bird-race morning we woke up at 8 a.m. and an hour later we were in a shop next door. Soon we were driving towards Ailigas but there we found out that the gate up to the fjeld was closed so we had to forget some species. Then we headed to Piesjänkä which was our starting place.

We walked along drier parts of Piesjänkä to the lakes and once we reached the shore it was time to start the race. We started with a flock of 70 Long-tailed Skuas, singing Lapland Bunting and Bluethroat and displaying Jack Snipe – not bad! We also found a Smew, some Long-tailed Ducks, Common Scoters, Red-necked Phalaropes and so on.

We checked the lake several times until we had to start walking back towards our car. Now we walked through the wet parts of the bog and soon found a Dunlin and a Broad-billed Sandpiper. Other surprises weren’t found until we were near the parking place where we heard a Bar-tailed Godwit calling inside the fences of reindeer round-up. Also a Merlin was seen flying against Ailigas.

Once we were driving, we saw a Kestrel in flight and a couple of stops gave us only some common northern species. In Inari Ahvenjärvi we saw a couple of Velvet Scoters and in Siltajärvi we heard a very northern Sedge Warbler. In Muotkaruoktu we saw a couple of Pine Grosbeaks on a feeder and in Ukonjärvi a couple of Black-throated Divers, Cormorants and Heuglin’s Gulls. So again a couple of good species!

In Pikku-Peitsamo we heard a Little Bunting singing and in Neitiaapa we saw a flock of 39 Taiga Bean Geese, but in Mellanaapa we saw only Lapwings. Then we twitched a breeding Siberian Tit and saw a Hazel Hen on the way which was very good as was also a very northern Hobby that flew over the road. In Kaunispää we weren’t lucky as Dotterel wasn’t found – there were again too many people on the top. Only a Northern Wheatear was seen there.

In Sodankylä we visited the lakes we had prepared earlier. In Sompiojärvi we saw several White-tailed Eagles but also a Golden Eagle! Also a Spotted Redshank, Temminck Stints, and a couple of Willow Grouses were seen. In Iso Moskujärvi we saw the same White-fronted Geese, Shovelers and this time a female Goshawk.

Then it was time for the first long drive of the race. We drove through Pelkosenniemi where we saw a couple of Capercaillies and Woodcocks. The day changed before we got to Kemijärvi where we checked some places without anything else than a Garden Warbler, but on the sewage pool we saw a Garganey, a couple of Pochards, a Red-throated Diver and heard a Red-necked Grebe. On the previous morning the Ring-necked Duck had been seen again, but again after that it was not seen.

Then we had a long drive to Rovaniemi where in Apukka we got a Skylark and later we heard several Common Rosefinches, a couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers and saw a Sand Martin and some Common Swifts. In Vitikanpää we saw Redshank and heard a Lesser Whitethroat, in Aronperä we saw Little Ringed Plovers, in Pöykkölä we had Pheasants and a couple of Common Whitethroats, in Harjulampi Great Crested Grebes and in cemetery we twitched a Wood Warbler. Then in Tuomilampi we saw a Slavonian Grebe, in Vanttauskoski we heard a Blackbird and in Auttiköngäs we saw a couple of Dippers.

We had still two hours to go when we reached Posio Korouoma parking place. Soon we were walking along a patch that was in very bad shape. All the bridges had collapsed so it was a long and slowly way. We were almost running but heard some Dunnocks, Wrens, Common Crossbills, saw a Parrot Crossbill and also a very angry Rustic Bunting. Finally we reached our ending place a couple of minutes before the race was over but saw nothing new there in time.

After some relaxing we climbed up along very broken steps up to the edge where we saw a Peregrine flying on the sky. And then a Black Woodpecker landed to the nearest tree and while walking back towards our car we still heard a couple of Treecreepers and then also a couple of Red-flanked Bluetails! So we had 4 species we had missed in the race!

In the race we had 124 species and won clearly. The record in the race was 125 species so we were close. But it really wasn’t good bird-year as there were almost no voles and therefore no raptors. Also many other birds were more difficult than in a normal year.

On the way to Kemijärvi we tried to twitch an Arctic Warbler in Juujärvi but found only a couple of Rustic Buntings and a Sparrowhawk (one more species that we had missed). A Red-throated Diver was on the nest on one pond and in Kostamo we heard a Little Bunting.

In the evening Allu left towards Kemi (he planned to sleep on the way soon) and pretty soon I went to sleep too and slept again 14 hours.

On the 10th of June we still visited sewage pools with Pirkka and saw Gadwalls (missed in the race), Garganeys, Pochards and a Red-necked Grebe. Then I had to start a long way back to home. Somewhere in southern Kemijärvi I saw a Jay crossing the road… I didn’t see anything else on the way. I ate good Thai-food in Suomussalmi and finally was at home after 9 p.m.

It had been a hard birding-holiday with too little sleep! But I had seen 185 species (without a Willow, Crested and Coal Tit!). Let’s see how long it takes to recover from this holiday?

J.A.

Luckily later we found some good night-species like a Jack Snipe, a Spotted Crake and finally an owl too as a Tawny Owl started calling actively. Soon we headed towards south and in Hamina Kirkkojärvi we heard a couple of Water Rails and a Savi’s Warbler. Then we ticked a Moorhen that was calling very weakly and saw a Red-throated Diver migrating and a Northern Wheatear almost in the city. Then we continued towards Virolahti Harvajanniemi while making some stops on the way and the best birds we heard were a Grey-headed Woodpecker and some Tree Pipits.

There wasn’t much migration on the sea but we got some better species like Common and Velvet Scoter, Gadwall, Slavonian Grebe, Caspian and Arctic Tern.

After searching a Collared Dove without luck we stopped in Lupinlahti where some Pochards and Little Gulls were seen and also a flock of Barn Swallow and House Martins. Then in one nice forest we searched for some time before we found a Treecreeper and a Nuthatch and heard a Stock Dove calling, but new woodpeckers weren’t found.

Then it was time to head inland and to Kouvola where we visited quite a few bird-lakes and also an old forest. We suffered finding new species but luckily a flock of Waxwings, a Hazel Hen, a White-tailed Eagle, a Merlin, a Little Ringed Plover, a Wren, a Crested and a Willow Tit were found. We also tried to find a Kingfisher and a Black Redstart but without luck. But then a desperate search of a Wood Lark was a success.

We were running out of time and Teo counted our species and fell on agony as we had about 20 species than on normal year. But I had a feeling that the spring was just so late that there weren’t more species. So we decided to push until the end and luckily Lesser Black-backed Gull and Golden Plover were seen before we headed to our last point to Jaalanlahti.

There had been good numbers of waders in Jaalanlahti in the morning but they were almost all gone so no new wader-species were seen. But luckily Canada Geese, Garganeys, a Smew and a couple of Hen Harriers were seen before it was 6 p.m. and the race ended.

After all we had got 122 species which was about 20 species less that the winning result had usually been. But I was sure that if any team had got 130 species – they were lying… Because of Covid19 the results were sent by email and quite soon we were driving towards home.

On the next morning we got the results and we had won with our 122 species. The second team had got 2 species less and the 3rd had got 113 species. Altogether there had been 6 teams.

On the 2nd of May we slept long and were in Siikalahti only after 8 a.m. We stayed on the dam-road for a couple of hours but only Bramblings and some Lapland Buntings were moving. We also saw a couple of Wood Sandpipers before we went to eat. Then we headed to Saati to make the counts again. It was my birthday and I had my self-bought present Canon R5 with 100 to 500mm lens finally with me. The shipment had been problematic so Hanna still hadn’t got her lens and all our memory-cards were still somewhere. I had managed to get one memory-card in Kouvola on the previous day thanks to Elli! In Särkisalmi we saw a Nuthatch and then in Saari the best birds were a Peregrine in Pohjanranta, a Great White Egret and a Cormorant in Tarassiinlahti, a couple of Short-eared Owls, a twitched Citrine Wagtail in Suurenjärvenliete, a couple of Pink-footed Geese and a Spotted Redshank in Kanavalampi.

On the 3rd day a Red-throated Diver, a couple of Red-breasted Mergansers and some Cormorants was seen in Härskiinmutka and in Siikalahti a couple of Little Gulls and 5 House Martins were seen. In the afternoon we ringed the Nuthatch in Särkisalmi. On the next day the only birds to mention were 65 Tufted Ducks in Siikalahti.

On the 5th of May I had the first day of my holiday. In Härskiinmutka I saw a flock of 20 Oystercatchers and soon we were driving towards Saari with Arttu Valonen who helped me in duck-counts. A Gadwall, a Willow Warbler and a Hawfinch were seen in Akonpohja, a couple of Pink-footed Geese were still in Kanavalampi, a male Greater Scaup in Tarassiinlahti and also a couple of flocks of Common Scoters, a Hobby, altogether 30 Whimbrels and a Stock Dove were seen and then in Suurenjärvenliete we saw a Citrine Wagtail again and also a Jack Snipe.

During the day I started a long drive towards South-west. My destination was Jurmo island where I was about to stay for more than a week!

J.A.

On the 14th of March we saw the first migrants of the month as a Whooper Swan was flying around in Siikalahti and a Herring Gull was flying over the frozen Lake Simpele. On the next couple of days I saw some Herring Gulls more and when the weather was finally good, we went to listen to owls on the 16th day evening. Luckily we heard even 14 Tengmalm’s Owls and a couple of Ural Owls.

On the 18th day I saw 11 Herring Gulls and when we were jogging before sauna with Miika Soikkeli in Tarvaslampi, we saw a Dipper in Myllyjoki. On the 22nd day we did a short evening-drive and saw a Great Grey Owl and a Ural Owl in Oravaniemi.

On the 24th of March it started to feel like spring finally. About 10 Whooper Swans were making noise in Siikalahti and I also saw a couple of White-tailed Eagles, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Common Buzzards, 20 Lapwings, a couple of Herring Gulls, a Woodpigeon, 2 Skylarks, a Blackbird and 7 Starlings. Only year-ticks were Woodpigeon and Skylark as all other species I had seen already on the 1st of January.

On the 25th day most birds had flight back to south as there was still too much snow. Only a Skylark, a Stock Dove and 4 Snow Buntings were seen. And even though the wind was hard and southern, there weren’t many birds to see on the next day either. 13 Lapwings, 2 Woodpigeons, a Black Woodpecker, a Great Grey Shrike and a Snow Bunting were only birds to mention.

On the 27th of March we woke up before 1 a.m. and soon were driving towards Heinävesi. At 3 a.m. we were on our area and started to listen to owls. After a couple of hours we finally heard a Ural Owl and a Pygmy Owl. But soon sun was rising. During the morning Hanna was skiing a long way on forests and I was driving every single track and road in northern part of our area while stopping a lot. The best birds we managed to find were a Three-toed, a White-backed, a Grey-headed and some Black Woodpeckers, some Hazel Hens, a couple of Common Crossbills, a few Long-tailed Tits, some Bullfinches, Treecreepers, Goldcrests and plenty of Willow and Crested Tits, Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Jays that were so called point-species in this Wilderness bird-race. The best bird was a Siberian Jay that I found.

When I had picked up Hanna, we drove every single drivable road in our area but found mostly the same species, mostly just tits and Great Spotted Woodpeckers. One more Hazel Hen, Black, Grey-headed and White-backed Woodpecker were found too and also a Sparrowhawk, A Coal Tit were seen.

At 3 p.m. the race was over and it was only on the next day when we got the results by email. We were second in this race while the winner-team had got much more points, but then the rest were quite far behind us. It had been quite nice to do birding in completely new place, but I must say that our area hadn’t been good.

On Sunday the 28th of March we were 5 hours in Siikalahti and saw 10 White-tailed Eagles, 16 Common Buzzards, 6 Cranes, 70 Lapwings, 3 Stock Doves, 25 Woodpigeons, a Black Woodpecker, 3 White-backed Woodpeckers, 40 Skylarks, 35 Blackbirds, a Long-tailed Tit, 45 migrating Great Tits, 35 Starlings, 12 Snow Buntings and 6 Reed Buntings.

But even though the weather was still good until the end of the month, only birds to mention on the 29th were a Siskin and a flock of 28 Snow Buntings, on the 30th day a couple of Mallards, a Stock Dove and a Goshawk and on the 31st day a couple of Taiga Bean Geese, 2 unidentified geese and a Stock Dove.

J.A.

After one year I asked if people would count species they will see in their home-region and county. But for some reason I was the only one to start counting them too. Some participants were counting only self-found birds, so I counted them too.

After every month Sami sent the results and after the year he had counted all the lists together. Of course those birders who were twitching most, were of course getting biggest lists every month. Jörgen Palmgren was winner the first 3 years and then Ari Vuorio won the last 2 years.

The winners year-results were from 1680 to 1755 (“Jösse´”s record) and my totals were 1331-1468. On every other year than 2019 when we did several longer trips abroad I got over 1400, so every year my results were pretty much the same. I also was 4th, 5th or 6th every year (about 12 to 15 participants).

The best month-result ever was Jösse’s May 2016 216 species. I got once 212 and once 211 species in May. In winter best was Jösse’s 110 in February 2015, in summer Ari’s 212 in June 2017 and in autumn Jösse’s 174 in September 2017.

In South Karelia my best year-result was 1348, in Parikkala 1273 and self-found birds 1563. The best January was 86, in South-Karelia 60 and in Parikkala 44 (58 self-found). February total 82, S-K 50, Pla 42 (self-found 71). March 89, 80 and 78 (84), April 150, 150 and 137 (147), May 212, 191 and 187 (205!), June 184, 145 and 132 (180), July 167, 142 and 132 (143), August 163, 140 and 137 (160), September 164, 146 and 139 (163), October 146, 111 and 110 (143), November 88, 80, 75 (73) and December 79, 63 and 51 (62).

To me the most interesting thing in this competition was to compare months between years in Parikkala. From six years results I can say that Parikkala is quite bad place to do birding in winter. Actually I have ever seen only 98 species here in winter. In spring it is possible to see really good selection of species – especially in May. Early summer is also very good but then autumn is very pretty poor comparing to sea-coats.

The competition lasted 5 full years and started again in January 2020 but then in February we got awful news, Sami had died. I immediately decided to continue the rest of the year just to finish the year as Sami would have liked. And now I decided to make this kind of article too just to make sure that this won’t be forgotten. I didn’t ask permits from other participants so that’s why I mentioned only some top-results as I am sure these birders won’t mind.

Thanks Sami (R.I.P) and other participants – J.A.