March birding in Helsinki and Päijät-Häme 10-11.3.2016

First four sick days then one day at work and then five days off. Weird when you have so much time in your hands. As soon I was healed I took Vilma with me and together we went to Fastholma to check if the famous Azure Tit would show up again. I parked my car near the place and with strollers we went to the feeding area where the bird has been almost every day. When I arrived there I met Pekka Komi and Ilpo Mutikainen. Soon Azure Tit arrived and I got my long waited stroller tick! Pekka also mentioned about Tawny Owl very near the place and of course I went to check the bird. 

Tawny Owls standard place. 

I also checked the bird tower near the owl and surprisingly I found a lone Reed Bunting to my stroller list. That day I had only my binoculars with me but still I managed to see some geese looking birds other side of the bay, so I drove to Viikki and I was right, there was flock of Canada Geese walking around the snowy fields! When I was leaving the place I found two Lapwings migrating quite high towards NorthEast! Spring birds are here! 

Next day I took my family and we drove to Vääksy to visit my mother in law. During the day I had just enough time ti twitch some local goodies. My first stop was Collared Dove from Vesivehmaa and this birds was very easy to see. Dove was sitting in a tree near the road and when I arrived, it took off and disappeared behind some buildings. 

second place was actually same place where I visited this January. Long staying, but highly secretive Northern Hawk Owl was my target bird. 

I drove around the fields and after 30 minutes of searching, I finally found the bird sitting on a branch quite far from the road. I took my change and drove some little and very snowy road, but finally I got good looks of the birds and even get my car back to the main road with out four-wheel drive! 

Northern Hawk Owl.

On same night I drove to another location to listen some owls. I knew in advance that the place holds two Great-grey Owls, some Ural Owls, Tengmalm´s Owl, Tawny Owl and Long-eared Owl. 

I arrived just before half ten and there was already one guy listening the area. I parked my car and together with the other dude, we heard all five species in 30 minutes! I was totally amazed how magical that was. Great-grey Owl was my target bird and boy, how cool was hear that deep call under the stars, in middle of nowhere. 

Also six species of Owls in one day is really outstanding! 

-Tom