Finnish Focus On... Pygmy Owl

Owls. 

Is there any more stunning family of birds? 

I think not. 

Their variety, appearance and, more often than not, mysterious nocturnal nature make them highly desired by birders. 

If you ask anyone shelling out a few grand for an organized Lapland trip "What birds do you most want to see in Finland?" 99% will answer with the owls. They are simply the dogs bollix.

Pygmy Owl, for me anyway, ranks high on the list of Europe's best Owls. These "grump-tards", as I call them with much affection, are by far the easiest owl to see here, a factor of both their abundance and their often diurnal habits. 

 

They never look happy, always looking utterly pissed off with their situation, which I feel only adds to their charm. In fairness, their expression is understandable. They get no peace. Despite their small size they are formidable hunters, often taking birds much larger than themselves. Consequently, when discovered by any roving tit-flock they are incessantly mobbed, meaning any tit-fracas heard in the woods is usually worth checking out.

Pygmy Owl was the first Owl lifer I got in Finland, on my first visit in August 2013. 

Staying at a friend's mökki near mikkeli, we were enjoying an evening of barbeque, beers, sauna and swimming, and it was whilst lounging in the hot tub swilling beers that I first heard that distinctive whistling song as dusk approached. Pygmy Owl often sing for much of the year, save for a quiet spell when they have chicks. August is prime time for them to start singing again.

I jumped out of the tub and ran barefoot to the car, grabbed the scope and was treated to great twilight views of this cracking little species. 

The next morning at dawn he was back singing again, and this time he had two rivals calling back at him on the other side of the lake.

 

Of course I've seen many since, even recently adding a singing migrant to my garden list, but they really are one of those birds you can never get enough of.

All hail the grump-tards!