Last couple of months 17.3.2023

 This winter has been very slow and dark and frustrating birdvicely. I have had almost zero energy to go out with my camera and most of my free time I have spent at the martial art gym. I started Brazilian Jiu-jitzu last September and nowadays I train three times a week. I´m really hoping that upcoming spring will bring also my energy and passion about the birds back with the migrant birds of course. 

Anyway I have couple of short twitches during the winter months. 8th of January I visited Malmi Cemetery with Julius and we twitched Two-barred Crossbill and Eurasian Nuthatch. I had my camera, but no memory card inside it, so no pictures... 

On February 11th I stopped at Kuusisaari to see Little Grebe, which has been there all winter. This time no camera with me, so no photos.. I also saw same bird last year at the same spot. 

25th of February I was at Asikkala with kids and Sanni and there I was able to find Dipper from Vääksy. Shy bird let me take only distant photos, but here is some. We had nice winter holiday week at the time.

White-throated Dipper. 

Natural wintering habitat.

Nice scenery to dive some food. Might be cold though.

March is actually already a "spring" month, but very poor and stupid one. on 3rd I took my kids and we twitched Twite from Siltamäki. This species is pretty rare in Helsinki area and not too many birds for twitchers annually. Again, no camera with me, so only nice views of the bird and great memories.. 

12th of March was Sunday and I took some of my "me time" and drove to Espoo to see magnificent Great-grey Owl. Bird was showing well and I spend an hour there just watching it. This time I had my camera, so couple of photos here with one video in my Youtube channel here: 

Ghost of the forest. 

Very sunny day. 

This is really one bird I never get bored to watch and see. What a amazing creature. 

More to come, I hope. Spring is just around the corner and first migrants, like Skylarks, Woodpigeons, Geese area already coming. 

-Tom

Black Redstart 6.12.2022

 No bird watching during the November... My new hobby, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu takes most of my spare time, but I´m not worried. More to come when the warm and sun is back! ON 6th of December, our independence day I too Vilma and together we went to twitch Black Redstart from Viikki. Only my second during the winter months. 

Day was very dark and photographing was very hard, but here is few pics. Bird was also a year tick for me! 

Black Redstart. 

Wing panel was super bright white. Any ideas of the subspecies? :) 

Not everyday you van have snow and Black Redstart in same picture in Finland.

Happy holidays folks! Possibly some birding still coming this year, but if not, there is always another year just around the corner. I will make 2022 highlight post! 

Take care and stay warm.

-Tom

Mediterranean Gull in Helsinki 24.10.2022

 Timo Pettay found Mediterranean Gull from Töölönlahti and it was very first for Helsinki! Next day many people were searching the bird and soon it was relocated at the same place. On 24th I had short window to twitch this great bird and it was very successful trip. Bird was only a bit distant, but easy to see and photo. 

My second ever in Finland and one of my favorite Gulls.

Photos here.

1cy Med Gull.

Lots of Gulls around the area.

Med Gull again.

-Tom

Turtle Dove with kids. 23.10.2022

 On 23rd I took kids and together we went to Vartioharju to see a Turtle Dove which was found day or two before. 

Bird was sitting on a branch most of the time we were there, but soon after we started to walk toward car it took off and moved couple of hundred meters. 

Here is couple of shot of the bird. 

Turtle Dove.

Pretty rare bird in Helsinki area and declining rapidly in everywhere.

Later we visited also Vuosaari Hill, but not much bird there. Some pictures here. 

Julius and Vilma at the Hill.

-Tom