Rapturous Raptors
Sunday was to be a day of splendid raptor watching. The forecast had been to be dry, if a little on the grey side. Unfortunately, that did not materialize as quickly as hoped. I started the day down at Porkkala with a bit of sea scanning. A White-Billed Diver had been seen here a few days back, likely the same one that had been in Helsinki and I hoped to connect. It was not to be, however conditions were good for duck, and several hundred Long Tailed Duck were scattered around the bay. These birds are astounding to see flying in numbers and a real treat of the Finnish coast. A beautiful duck in any of it's plumages, and a couple of White-Tailed Eagle regularly making attempts on the flocks gave a number of good flight views. 2 female type Velvet Scoter were the best of the seaduck on offer. From here it was back north to the Saltfjarden area. A stakeout in the car park produced two immature Golden Eagle soaring around over the distant forest, while Grey Hea...