And The Leaves Are Stripped Bare

October was some month for birds. 

Apart from the superb start with Lesser Kestrel and Pallid Harriers, there has been some exceptional migration going on.

The Nutcracker influx I predicted would hit Western Europe did come to pass and obviously made headlines, but less of a news grabber internationally was a huge influx of Nuthatch into Finland. 

This included both European and Asian sub species (some of which are appearing further south and west). And so it was a much desired addition to my garden list when this Asian beauty popped up on my feeder! 😍

The heart pump that hit, when I decided to take one last, after dinner peek at the feeder, only to see a little sapphire gem zip onto the smorgasbord! 

Eurasian Nuthatch - ssp asiatica. There was a time when these were split as "Siberian" Nuthatch and lordy wouldn't it be class to have it split again? 

The Asian variety differs from European in having cleaner, white underparts, showing little to no deep red on the lower flanks, deeper blue upperparts, a more obvious supercilium and often a smaller, dinkier bill (which in my opinion often can look more upturned.) And overall they come across a daintier beastie.

They can vary though. Some Asians are a bit buffer below (like this one) whilst some are absolutely Colgate white. Some have even more clear cut supers than this one. I have seen asian birds in the past which were even more striking than this one and that's saying something. 

Asian Nuthatch - I mean... there's showing well...and there's showing well...

A clear cut euro would have that same red vent feathering showing on the lower flanks and a far stronger colouration on the body up to the breast. Compare and contrast this (bottom row) with a "local" Estonian bird (top row). 

Scandi euros can be paler again.

Nuthatch - pure quality. This bird has now been in situ a month and looks set to stay the winter...though sadly my Nutcrackers seem to have pushed off the past couple of weeks. 

I have loved Nuthatch since my early days birding and seeing them in Devon and Wales. Imagine one in Ireland...

Nutcracker - now seemingly departed the area for the first time in 2 years... hopefully a cold snap brings them back.

Another excellent and somewhat overdue addition to the garden list also fell, in the form of a Taiga Bean Goose.

On one of those first early mornings watching the nuthatch, as goose migration was underway, I heard the familiar call of Bean Goose overhead. Imagine my surprise when I looked up and saw it was Taiga! 

Taiga Bean Goose - flight ID of Bean Geese is something you have to work at. Here the proportions matter. This is a big chunky goose, with an obviously slim neck.

Zooming up on the head shows a relatively long bill and annindication of a more swan like head. Even from below like this, it feels a straightforward call.

Taiga Bean Goose - giving all the feels.

Also present in the garden was our first on the deck Hawfinch. I've had a couple over the past few years migrating over (they're a pretty obvious beast in flight, with a distinctive call).

It made a nice change when watching the Nuthatch, this beauty landed in the open near the feeders, before dropping down to the pond for a drink. 

Hawfinch - a solid scarcity in Finland. It does breed here, but not in large numbers, though is an expanding climate change beneficiary.

Waxwing - also notable was a pretty solid and early push of Waxwing during October which as usual gave opportunities with tame birds in beautiful autumn settings. This was one of a flock of some 50 in a Helsinki park.

Goshawk - from that same city park. Actually I don't think I've ever visited that park and NOT seen Goshawk in it.

Golden Eagle - both Golden Eagle and Rough-Legged Buzzard migration was pretty good during October. This 1st winter Golden Eagle was one of 3 together going through Saltfjärden.

Hawk Owl - the best bird in the universe. Always important to get one onto your winter list early, just in case it's a bad year for them. Doesn't seem to be this year, however. Shaping up to be a good one for them.

Into November and migration has trickled off.

I managed to get back to some gulling with reasonable success, finding a first winter Caspian Gull at Ämmäsuo whilst trying to see some Shore Lark.

Caspian Gull - first winter. A nice well marked individual with an already paled up bill. Note those already moulter inner GCs.

It's been a good season for Great Grey Shrike, with them being in every stretch of fields. One to watch for this winter in western Europe. 

Black Woodpecker - classif flight profile

Goshawk - if there's a dump... there's a Goshawk 

On the same day, a stop off at Kivenlahti marina produced a reasonable sized flock of gulls loafing in the jetty. And there among them was a real beauty of a first winter Caspian.

Caspian Gull - I adore when you come across those truly classic ones with pure solid wing coverts 😍.

Caspian Gull - Kivenlahti 

I believe my total of Caspian Gulls found this year is somewhere around 15/16 which is a pretty excellent count and likely my best year for finding them (though would have to actually sit down and do tallies).

Will keep an eye on the marina for the next few weeks and try to dig out more. 

Let's see what the owl and Woodpecker season brings in.