Some year ticks and local birding. 21-22.4.2017

Yesterday I had time to visit Vanhankaupunginlahti. I chose Pornaistenniemi tower and when I arrived, I met Tuomas Seimola and Eino Hiekkanen there. Tuomas and hes friend had only lunch break, so they had to leave soon, but with Eino we had nice raptorwatch.
I spend little bit over an hour there and we had quite early Hobby, Kestrel, Osprey, two local Marsh Harriers and two local Goshawks. This was only raptors! Other birds we saw were nine Greater Curlews, two Common Cranes, Greenshank, Redshank, two Little-ringed Plovers, some Green Sandpipers and Caspian Tern. Hobby was nice. The situation was funny, because when I found the bird, I told Eino that there is some Falco flying and together we just watched it. In mid May the bird would immediately be a Hobby, but because we are still late April it is harder. Especially with these resent Northern winds and below zero nights.
Anyway, I had to leave too early to get Vilma from day care. Together we went to Kannelmä to get Sanni´s birthday present. Her b-day is next Tuesday.
Later we tested our new bicycle baby carrier. It worked perfectly.

Vanhankaupunginlahti.

Male Marsh Harrier.

Vilma and her baby in the carrier. Fun times with this combo.

Today we had to stay in Maunula, because we have plans for the afternoon and I had to put Vilma to bed quite early. My friends are going to visit us today.
We walked in Maunula and I tried to find something new from here, but no luck. Big numbers of Redwings, Fieldfares, Robins, Chaffinches around. I had one flock of Barnacle Geese going NorthWest. Raven showed to us and our local Goshawk was in the area.

Female Blackbird.

Female Chaffinch.

Fieldfare.

Male Bullfinch. 

Many rarities has been found today, so I hope I will have time to check the places tomorrow afternoon. Morning is going to be great, because we have tickets to Helsinki Coffee Festival and can´t wait to taste those goodies there.

-Tom