Mandarin Duck 23.9. and 25.9.2019

Recent days there has been few Mandarin Ducks around our capital area. I had crazy week at three different jobs, but finally managed to visit one bird with Vilma on 23rd.
We arrived to Tapaninkylä quite early morning and grass was still under white frost. Our target was active and it was feeding in a small pond with local Mallards. Mandarin Duck might be little smaller than Mallard, but damn it made very clear if someone was too close to its personal space.
I let Vilma take some photos with my phone and that gave me a few moments to take some nice morning light photos. One Red-throated Pipit migrated over the park during the time we were there. Nice morning and great bird. Now the fall is here, bring out the real rarities!

I also tried to twitch Yellow-browed Warbler from Paloheinä, but missed it for about 10 minutes. Good that I had one in Kaivopuisto earlier last week!

Mandarin Duck.

Open wings.

Mandarin Duck.

Something different. 

What is that!?!

My favorite pic with nice light. 

Vilma took some photos with my cell. 

Today on 25th I went to look the bird again, this time with my friend Tyron. He had nice lifer of showy duck and we were happy. I got some new pics and this time the bird even came to the dry land.

Rainy day light. 

Walking Mandarin. 

Great looking bird. 

More birding coming soon I hope. Best times coming and I need to go out more often!

-Tom

Early autumn summerhouse trip. 7.9-8.9.2019

Last weekend we had pleasant two full days at our Loviisa summerhouse. This time we got windy and even a bit rainy weather, so not much birding activity, but I had few nice sightings.
On our way I stopped at Gammalby area where I had nice flock of 17 Honey Buzzards. Bigger flock was about 14 birds and the area hosted also six Kestrels, two Common Buzzards and lone Marsh Harrier. Clearly there was active raptor migration going that moment. I was hoping to see Red-footed Falcon from that place, but no luck this time.

Phone scope picture of Common Buzzard and Kestrel. 

At the summerhouse I didn´t have much time to look around cause our kids are quite active and especially Julius is running everywhere and need constant watch. He also ran into the sea... Thank god we have sandy beach which is perfect with kids! Wet clothes were only damage.
Beautiful sunset impressed Vilma so much that she made little dance.

Sunset. 

At the evening I watched moths coming to our terrace and I got pretty impressive collection of new ones for me. nice bird record was also singing Tawny Owl quite far, but still it was easy to hear from the patio.

Staurophora Celsia

Staurophora Celsia.

Hypomeis Roboraria.

Chloroclysta Siterata.

Colotois Pennaria.

Xestia C-nigrum

Ennomos Alniarius.

Thera Firmata.

On 8th we just hanged around the area and I had few nice birds including migrating Two-barred Crossbill and Red-breasted Flycatcher. I took only few pics of Vagrant Darter dragonfly and played with my kids. After dinner we left back home.

Vagrant Darter, Sympetrum Vulgatum. 

Thanks to my Father and Sari for hosting us. Always a pleasure to visit!
After the weekend I started my work again and now there is almost too much work to do and I have promised to do some shifts in three different places. Wish me luck.


-Tom 

Short walk close by and little bit raptor watch. 3.9-5.9.2019

On 3rd of September I had only little time to take Julius out and check the fields near by. Nothing really interesting until we had gorgeous 1cy Hen Harrier. Later I realized that it was new stroller tick for me! Bird was migrating quite high, so no reason to take any photos of the little dot in the sky. With binoculars it was relatively easy to id.

Tree Sparrow.

Scenery near my house. 

Juvenile White Wagtail.

On 4th I picked Vilma from daycare and when we walked back to our house I noticed a huge flock of Jackdaws and Crows in flight. First year (1cy) Peregrine Falcon was flying above us! So that was the reason for all the birds in the air! Nice record and year tick.

Jackdaws. I tried to catch that Peregrine, but no success. 

Yesterday on 5th I had two hours and I decided to spend it at the Vuosaari Hill. I arrived after nine a clock and Mikko Salonen was only observer when I came.
Together we did what we could, but only three adult Honey Buzzards, one Common Buzzard, male Marsh Harrier, few Hobbies and local Ospreys were all we had. One distant Harrier which never came to id distance.
Anyway even with out the birds I enjoyed to stay there. Next time maybe something more, but generally watching birds from one spot is the way I like it.

Vuosaari Hill. 

Migrating Honey Buzzards. 

Weekend in summerhouse, so maybe pot from there next.

-Tom