Hel Hath No Birdies

A five day weekend meant a trip up to Hämeenkyrö. As usual I paid a visit to Tarastenjärvi dump, however gull numbers were surprisingly low and no nightsinging warblers were present in the scrub as yet. Two Lesser Black Backed/Heuglini/ya wha types were present however among a scattering Baltic Gulls. Lbb type Baltic Gull Still, always nice to get up close with those elegant Baltic Gulls. With the dump unproductive, I made for the grasslands around Sarkkila. Sarkkila The usual cranes were present here, as were the typical Ospreys and Honey Buzzards. Big flocks of Ruff and Wood Sandpiper were obvious signs of migration, whilst Thrush Nightingale and Corncrake sang, obviously fresh in and eager. Common Crane - always love the sound of these dinosaurs And always a joy to see their next generation running around. It's the little flappy run of the right-hand chick that does it for me. Mid May is the best time to find Wryneck, actively singing (if you can call it singing) for just a coup...

May is one of my favourite times of year in Finland, probably only eclipsed by the Harrier migration period in August. It's the time of year that those "Good" migrants come back in force, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat, Icterine Warbler, Thrush Nightingale and Red-Breasted Flycatcher.  I'm very lucky to have most of these from my garden at times (Thrush Nightingale is a rare one, the habitat isn't right) and Red-Breasted Flycatcher is just a pass through, but breeds in the area. With Covid-19 still making it's presence felt, the annual event, Tornien Taisto (Tower Battle), where teams of birders would compete from bird towers around Finland as part of the international big day events, was for obvious reasons, cancelled. However it was replaced with birders making big day efforts from their gardens. Pihojen Taisto, Garden Battle, was born. We planned our day out meticulously, accomodating both Kuura and Lyra over the 8 hours. 4...