Pihojen Taisto And May Migrants

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 a.m start...ouch

We did exceptionally well, bagging 82 species (with anser sp. putting us in 83 for race purposes, allowed apparently).

We missed out on several species too, a Hawfinch perched up in a tree the far side of the lake was just a tad too far and backlit to claim with confidence, and a Nutcracker blipping between trees got away from us too. A kestrel was also another hoodwink, while Common Swift, Lesser Whitethroat and Caspian Tern all failed to show as they normally would.

Nonetheless, we added new species, both to our Lock down list, and as new full ticks for the garden, notably Bar-Tailed Godwit, Whinchat and Ruff. 

In the end, 83 put us on joint 11th out of 2990 gardens in Finland, the top 0.5%. 😎

Common Terns on our beach make for constant noisy companions.

On Sunday I made for Laajalahti, in the mood for some waders.

There was a good bit of migrant action around the carpark, as a pair of Common Redstart flicked around, 3 Lesser Whitethroat fought out their rattling songs and the first Common Rosefinch of the year told me he was pleased to see me.

Common Redstart - a gem of a bird.

 

3 Little Gulls were on site, always a joy to watch.

Little Gulls - That underwing is a thing of beauty. I've been enjoying these calling daily over my house.

Excellent numbers of Temminck's Stint were giving themselves up just below the tower.

Temminck's Stint - One of those species which doesn't jump to mind too often when out birding in Ireland, we see excellent numbers here in Spring.

Plenty of monster Caspian Tern raysking around the place.

An Osprey, one of two, was hunting up and down the bay.

Little Ringed Plover - a good staple of any wetland here.

Over the course of the week we've been enjoying the various breeding species arriving back in our neighborhood.

Tree Pipit - that great little song, Chaffinch like. 

Birds like Cuckoo, Tree Pipit, Pied Flycatcher, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Wood Warbler, Icterine warbler,and the latest star, this male Red-Breasted Flycatcher have all become staples on our morning walks.

Red-Breasted Flycatcher - a joy of bird.

Normally when I find these, they tend to be in old, dense tall forest, and often quite high up.

This individual, while still in good old growth forest, has chosen a more open clearing with a mix of younger, lower trees, allowing for some of the best views I've ever had.

Beauty doesn't have to be a multi-coloured Bee-eater, the right splash of colour is all that's required.

I adore those grey tones on the face and head. 

I spent a good 40 minutes enjoying this bird, as it fed and sang around me in the clearing. Hopefully he finds a mate and stays put for the summer.

In habitat shots.

I was surprised to see this bird feeding on the ground frequently, as Pied Flycatcher so often do. I'm generally more used to them feeding high in branches. 

Hopefully some Greenish Warblers popping up soon. Bring it on.