Goshawks, Goshawks, Goshawks

Prime time for Goshawk migration here at the moment, and I've been lucky to be out and about connecting with dozens of the great destructors.

Goshawk - Juv

The above bird did a close flyby at Saltfjarden. Juveniles are somewhat different structurally than adults, slightly longer winged looking and combined with the brown colouration can often give a harrier-like impression.

This was on an evening where I encountered a staggering 25+ individuals pushing through the Porkkala area.

Goshawk - adult. Not the most fantastic pics, but instructive in terms of structure. Look at that massive chest and almost Peregrine type vibe.

Goshawk - murderous - the hooded crow never stood a chance. It was still alive when the Gos began to pluck it by the way. 

Still plenty of Rough-Legged Buzzards moving through. I absolutely adore this time of year, scanning the sky and picking up those white uppertails soaring around.

Rough-Legged Buzzard

Great Grey Shrikes are also moving in numbers now and quite significant numbers in my opinion. As with the Red-Backed Shrikes earlier in the year, the numbers feel above average to me. Could be a good year for them further south/west?

Great Grey Shrike - as things start to turn from green, through red and yellow and eventually into grey, this is one shade of grey I can't get enough of. 

Great Greys are alpha predators. Birds react to these the same as they do Sparrowhawk which means trying to sort through any flock of Pipits, finches or buntings can be difficult if one of these is sitting around close by.

Yesterday evening was very enjoyable, with large numbers of mixed geese at Saltfjarden producing both Taiga and Tundra Bean Geese, Barnacle and Eurasian White-Fronted Geese, and one Red-Backed Shrike still in situ.

Last of the summer shrikes. Red-Backed Shrike. Getting very late in the year for them now.

The garden has been particularly productive of late with Tengmalm's Owl and Lapland Bunting having been added to the garden list as full fat tickage.

On October 1st, as if on cue, our local Grey Headed Woodpecker male began using the feeders, now visiting multiple times daily. 

Grey Headed Woodpecker - visiting the Smorgasbord at dawn.

Grey Headed Woodpecker - male - I think they're stunning. One of those birds that isn't the most brilliantly patterned, or displaying a multitude of colours, but that vivid lime green, that smooth grey and that fantastic crimson forehead, combined with their inchworm movement and excellent whistle make them a gem.

The feeders have been up since early September, as always hoping to establish a varied ecosystem around them, tempting migrants to stay and and provide variety through the winter. The big aims would be to tempt in a White-Backed or Three-Toed Woodpecker, or Nuthatch, all of which may start moving soon.

A flock of some 12 Tree Sparrow and ~30 Siskin have established themselves (Siskins have not always done so in our garden), so hopefully these attract in the local Hawfinches.

Siskins and Tree Sparrow

Tree Sparrow

Great Spotted Woodpecker - At least 4 in attendance currently.

Geese are also moving over the garden in numbers. Always a bit sad to watch them this time of year, knowing that's it for them for another 6 months. 

On the plus side, the Hawk Owls and Golden Eagles can't be too far away now.