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Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)

GRAYLAG GOOSE (EUROPEAN) (Anser anser anser)

This otherwise unremarkable goose really shines in flight -- the frosty upperwing coverts are striking

TAIGA BEAN-GOOSE (Anser fabalis fabalis)

We found a few while playing Where's Waldo in the huge Barnacle Goose flocks

BARNACLE GOOSE (Branta leucopsis)

The enormous flocks were mesmerizing

CANADA GOOSE (Branta canadensis) [I]

A few early on in the tour

MUTE SWAN (Cygnus olor)

Only on two occasions

WHOOPER SWAN (Cygnus cygnus)

Finland's National Bird -- we saw this majestic beast almost daily. The really close birds on the second day of the tour, at the arboretum, were particularly memorable.

COMMON SHELDUCK (Tadorna tadorna)

Structurally, an interesting bird

GARGANEY (Spatula querquedula)

Not a common bird in Finland. The first one proved elusive but we finally caught up to an obliging drake at Oulu -- scoped from the tower

NORTHERN SHOVELER (Spatula clypeata)

Most days in the south

GADWALL (COMMON) (Mareca strepera strepera)

Early and late in the tour

EURASIAN WIGEON (Mareca penelope)

Common throughout; sightings daily

MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos)

Daily

NORTHERN PINTAIL (Anas acuta)

Just a few here and there

GREEN-WINGED TEAL (EURASIAN) (Anas crecca crecca)

Almost daily

TUFTED DUCK (Aythya fuligula)

Handsome drakes were seen daily

GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila)

We had distant scope views at Lake Sompiojarvi

VELVET SCOTER (Melanitta fusca)

Very similar to White-winged Scoter

COMMON SCOTER (Melanitta nigra)

Europe's version of Black Scoter

COMMON GOLDENEYE (Bucephala clangula clangula)

More days than not

SMEW (Mergellus albellus)

What a gorgeous duck! We enjoyed multiple good looks in the Kuusamo region

COMMON MERGANSER (EURASIAN) (Mergus merganser merganser)

This seems like a candidate for a split from our North American subspecies

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (Mergus serrator)

Only a few sightings; not nearly as numerous as the previous species

Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)

HAZEL GROUSE (Tetrastes bonasia)

We flushed several early on in the tour; Europe's equivalent of our Ruffed Grouse

WILLOW PTARMIGAN (Lagopus lagopus)

Plenty of cooperative birds in gorgeous breeding plumage toward the end of the tour up north

WESTERN CAPERCAILLIE (Tetrao urogallus)

Our first one was a beautiful female with her rusty chest but the absolutely colossal males were a sight to see

BLACK GROUSE (Lyrurus tetrix)

We saw lekking males on a couple occasions late in the evening, but we saw many more females foraging along the roadside.

RING-NECKED PHEASANT (Phasianus colchicus) [I]

A few in the Oulu area

Podicipedidae (Grebes)

HORNED GREBE (Podiceps auritus auritus)

Just a pair at Lake Saaperi

RED-NECKED GREBE (Podiceps grisegena)

Just a few sightings up north

GREAT CRESTED GREBE (Podiceps cristatus)

More sightings in the southern half of Finland

Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)

ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)

I didn't have to flag these birds as introduced, which is a nice change of pace

STOCK DOVE (Columba oenas)

The birds foraging in the plowed field at the research farm in Helsinki proved to be the only sighting of the tour

COMMON WOOD-PIGEON (Columba palumbus)

This impressively large pigeon was seen or at least heard almost every day

Cuculidae (Cuckoos)

COMMON CUCKOO (Cuculus canorus)

Their distinctive call could be heard from far away. We heard way more than we saw but we managed to get a few in the scope

Apodidae (Swifts)

COMMON SWIFT (Apus apus)

Olli was particularly good at spotting these overhead

Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)

EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

Heard in the marsh at the very first tower we visited on day one

EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra)

Teri spotted one for us at Oulu in the marsh behind the hotel

Gruidae (Cranes)

COMMON CRANE (Grus grus)

These elegant birds were predominately seen in pairs but a few flocks were still moving north

Burhinidae (Thick-knees)

EURASIAN THICK-KNEE (Burhinus oedicnemus)

Great spotting Donna! Wow - this was definitely the most unexpected bird of the tour. It even got the Finnish birders excited.

Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)

EURASIAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus ostralegus)

Darker than the American species

Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)

EUROPEAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis apricaria)

We caught up to migrants on a few days

NORTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus vanellus)

Reliably seen as breeders in every agricultural area we passed through

COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula)

Only when we were still in the Helsinki area

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius dubius)

More elongated structure than the previous species, with a yellow eyering

EURASIAN DOTTEREL (Charadrius morinellus)

Voted the bird of the tour and for good reason: gorgeous, cooperative, occupying a dramatic landscape, a memorable search effort and good spotting by Vivian

Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)

WHIMBREL (EUROPEAN) (Numenius phaeopus phaeopus)

For such a large shorebird in an open landscape, it was remarkable how that pair would disappear from view for prolonged stretches

EURASIAN CURLEW (Numenius arquata)

These massive shorebirds were seen most days; already paired up and on breeding territories

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (LIMOSA) (Limosa limosa limosa)

Arguably one of the world's most elegant shorebirds

RUFF (Calidris pugnax)

Wow. You read about and see photos of males displaying, but witnessing them fluffed up and strutting their stuff still managed to exceed expectations

TEMMINCK'S STINT (Calidris temminckii)

On the mudflats in Helsinki

EURASIAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax rusticola)

They seemed huge compared to woodcocks in North America. We saw quite a few in flight during our evening outing in the Oulu area

COMMON SNIPE (Gallinago gallinago)

Heard and seen most days of the tour

COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos)

Occupying the same niche as Spotted Sandpiper in North America

GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringa ochropus)

The most memorable one for me was the one in aerial display overhead as we were waiting to be escorted into the bear blind

COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia)

Along lake shores

WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola)

We seemed to find this species all over the place; whenever we were near water

COMMON REDSHANK (Tringa totanus)

Our best looks were right behind the hotel in Oulu

Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)

BLACK-HEADED GULL (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

Should be called the chocolate-headed gull

LITTLE GULL (Hydrocoloeus minutus)

Tiny and gorgeous. Observing the breeding colony on the small island in the lake outside of Kuusamo was thrilling.

COMMON GULL (EUROPEAN) (Larus canus canus)

Daily until we got up to the Ivalo area

HERRING GULL (EUROPEAN) (Larus argentatus argentatus)

Widespread

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (FUSCUS) (Larus fuscus fuscus)

This is the subspecies we found throughout the tour

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (HEUGLIN'S) (Larus fuscus heuglini)

This subspecies is at the pale-mantled end of the species complex. We had great looks at one while we were in the bear blind

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus marinus)

A few times when we were on the coast at the start of the tour

LITTLE TERN (Sternula albifrons)

Only in Oulu

CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia)

Just in Helsinki

COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo)

Daily

ARCTIC TERN (Sterna paradisaea)

We saw some migrants on the southern coast

Gaviidae (Loons)

RED-THROATED LOON (Gavia stellata)

On a lake when we were in the Kuusamo area

ARCTIC LOON (Gavia arctica arctica)

Plenty of good looks at this beautiful loon

Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)

GREAT CORMORANT (NORTH ATLANTIC) (Phalacrocorax carbo carbo)

Good numbers along the Baltic Sea

Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)

GREAT BITTERN (Botaurus stellaris stellaris)

Their distinctive display sounds were heard well but we never managed to spot one of those elusive creatures

GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea)

Very similar to Great Blue Heron

Pandionidae (Osprey)

OSPREY (HALIAETUS) (Pandion haliaetus haliaetus)

Not as common in Finland as one might expect

Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)

EURASIAN MARSH-HARRIER (Circus aeruginosus aeruginosus)

We had multiple good looks at this sexual dimorphic species

HEN HARRIER (Circus cyaneus)

Our only view of this species was WAY out over the marsh along the lakeshore near the end of the tour

EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter nisus)

Mostly birds in flight

NORTHERN GOSHAWK (EURASIAN) (Accipiter gentilis gentilis)

Recently published research has this super-species being split up. The birds we saw in Finland will be split from "American Goshawk" in the next checklist update. Our first bird was along the lakeshore near Russia, which got lots of ducks, shorebirds, and songbirds scattering in all directions. Watching the hunting bird from the blind was neat too

BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans)

This widespread species seems to be expanding its range in Finland

WHITE-TAILED EAGLE (Haliaeetus albicilla)

We witnessed this massive raptor on several days but none of the other sightings compared to the dramatic looks we enjoyed while we were in the bear blind

COMMON BUZZARD (WESTERN) (Buteo buteo buteo)

The extensive forests of Finland are less appealing than the ag lands for this open country raptor

Strigidae (Owls)

NORTHERN HAWK OWL (EURASIAN) (Surnia ulula ulula)

Definitely a highlight of the tour -- we savored an excellent experience with this remarkable raptor

URAL OWL (Strix uralensis) [*]

Just a distant, brief vocalization

GREAT GRAY OWL (LAPLAND) (Strix nebulosa lapponica)

The incubating (or brooding?) bird on the nest was so massive!

BOREAL OWL (TENGMALM'S) (Aegolius funereus funereus)

Pop goes the owl -- what a thrill to find an active nest

Picidae (Woodpeckers)

WHITE-BACKED WOODPECKER (WHITE-BACKED) (Dendrocopos leucotos leucotos)

This uncommon species is being carefully studied in Finland

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER (GREAT SPOTTED) (Dendrocopos major major)

The most conspicuous woodpecker in Finland by far

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Dryobates minor minor)

That individual we saw well at our very first birding site proved to be our only encounter of the tour

BLACK WOODPECKER (Dryocopus martius martius)

This huge woodpecker was absolutely a tour highlight. First hearing them in the distance got our pulses racing and then to see them fly right over us and perch in the tree for scope views was breathtaking.

Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)

EURASIAN KESTREL (EURASIAN) (Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus)

A fairly common sighting as we drove throughout the country

EURASIAN HOBBY (Falco subbuteo subbuteo)

We saw this particularly lanky and striking falcon in flight several times but the perched bird Betsy found for us was easily the best view.

PEREGRINE FALCON (EURASIAN) (Falco peregrinus peregrinus)

Overhead with other raptors at Lake Saaperi

Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)

SIBERIAN JAY (Perisoreus infaustus infaustus)

This subtle beauty was very cooperative; they remind me so much of their close cousin: the Canada Jay in North America

EURASIAN JAY (EURASIAN) (Garrulus glandarius glandarius)

We drove by this species on a roadside but when we circled back the individuals had moved off the shoulder and out of view

EURASIAN MAGPIE (EURASIAN) (Pica pica pica)

Common and widespread

EURASIAN JACKDAW (Corvus monedula monedula)

Many flocks

ROOK (Corvus frugilegus frugilegus)

This unusual Corvid has patchy distribution in Finland

HOODED CROW (HOODED) (Corvus cornix cornix)

Common and widespread

COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax corax)

The nominate race

Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)

WILLOW TIT (WILLOW) (Poecile montanus montanus)

We finally caught to a few outside Kuusamo

GRAY-HEADED CHICKADEE (Poecile cinctus lapponicus)

It took a special trip to a nest box outside of Ivalo to find this uncommon species

EURASIAN BLUE TIT (Cyanistes caeruleus caeruleus)

Pretty bird

GREAT TIT (GREAT) (Parus major major)

Most days

Alaudidae (Larks)

EURASIAN SKYLARK (EUROPEAN) (Alauda arvensis arvensis)

Their aerial displays were impressive

Acrocephalidae (Reed Warblers and Allies)

SEDGE WARBLER (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)

Thick in the marsh behind the hotel in Oulu

BLYTH'S REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus dumetorum)

Heard but I am not sure anyone got their bins on one

Hirundinidae (Swallows)

BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia riparia)

Not many

BARN SWALLOW (WHITE-BELLIED) (Hirundo rustica rustica)

Daily

COMMON HOUSE-MARTIN (WESTERN) (Delichon urbicum urbicum)

Good looks on multiple days

Phylloscopidae (Leaf Warblers)

WOOD WARBLER (Phylloscopus sibilatrix)

We had great looks in the birch forest just outside of Joensuu

WILLOW WARBLER (Phylloscopus trochilus trochilus)

Definitely the most conspicuous warbler of Finland

COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (COMMON) (Phylloscopus collybita collybita)

Distinctive song

Sylviidae (Sylviid Warblers, Parrotbills, and Allies)

LESSER WHITETHROAT (CURRUCA/BLYTHI) (Curruca curruca curruca)

This nondescript species was heard more than seen

GREATER WHITETHROAT (Curruca communis communis)

An edge species we found more readily than the previous species

Regulidae (Kinglets)

GOLDCREST (EUROPEAN) (Regulus regulus regulus)

Heard in the conifer forests on our first morning walk

Certhiidae (Treecreepers)

EURASIAN TREECREEPER (Certhia familiaris familiaris)

Also heard in the forest around Hotel Nuuksio

Troglodytidae (Wrens)

EURASIAN WREN (EURASIAN) (Troglodytes troglodytes troglodytes)

This sprite is the nominate race in Finland

Sturnidae (Starlings)

EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris)

Less common than in North America

Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)

MISTLE THRUSH (Turdus viscivorus viscivorus)

We finally got looks at this large, spotty thrush near the end of the tour

SONG THRUSH (Turdus philomelos philomelos)

Heard and seen well

REDWING (EURASIAN) (Turdus iliacus iliacus)

Lots and lots and lots

EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula merula)

A thrush, not an Icterid

FIELDFARE (Turdus pilaris)

The American Robin of Finland

Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (SPOTTED) (Muscicapa striata striata)

Tough to see "the spots"

EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula rubecula)

Tiny and vocal

THRUSH NIGHTINGALE (Luscinia luscinia)

What a fantastic song but geez it was tough to get a look

EUROPEAN PIED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula hypoleuca hypoleuca)

Seen well most days

COMMON REDSTART (COMMON) (Phoenicurus phoenicurus phoenicurus)

The singing male atop the spruce in Koli National Park was amazing

WHINCHAT (Saxicola rubetra)

Ditch bird

NORTHERN WHEATEAR (EURASIAN) (Oenanthe oenanthe oenanthe)

Good looks from the first tower

Bombycillidae (Waxwings)

BOHEMIAN WAXWING (Bombycilla garrulus garrulus)

Thankfully, our only encounter was with a very cooperative pair

Prunellidae (Accentors)

DUNNOCK (Prunella modularis modularis)

A subtle beauty

Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)

HOUSE SPARROW (GRAY-CHEEKED) (Passer domesticus domesticus)

A few here and there

Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)

WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (THUNBERGI) (Motacilla flava thunbergi)

Wow -- what a bright belly

WHITE WAGTAIL (WHITE-FACED) (Motacilla alba alba)

Daily

MEADOW PIPIT (Anthus pratensis pratensis)

More sightings as we got farther north

TREE PIPIT (Anthus trivialis trivialis)

Singing from atop a tree seemed very appropriate

Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)

COMMON CHAFFINCH (COMMON) (Fringilla coelebs coelebs)

Common and widespread

BRAMBLING (Fringilla montifringilla)

This was a targeted species for more than a few of you, so I was pleased we saw it so well during the last few days of the tour

COMMON ROSEFINCH (Carpodacus erythrinus erythrinus)

The Oulu bird was the best view

PINE GROSBEAK (EURASIAN) (Pinicola enucleator enucleator)

We finally caught up to this beautiful finch at feeders while we were enjoying delicious fish stew during the last lunch of the tour

EURASIAN BULLFINCH (EURASIAN) (Pyrrhula pyrrhula pyrrhula)

Gorgeous and obliging on several occasions

EUROPEAN GREENFINCH (Chloris chloris chloris)

Only a few sightings but seen well

COMMON REDPOLL (FLAMMEA) (Acanthis flammea flammea)

The display flights were neat

PARROT CROSSBILL (Loxia pytyopsittacus)

What a bill!

RED CROSSBILL (Loxia curvirostra)

Heard and eventually seen well on several days

EURASIAN SISKIN (Spinus spinus)

Almost daily; more colorful than Pine Siskin

Emberizidae (Old World Buntings)

YELLOWHAMMER (Emberiza citrinella citrinella)

A good-looking bunting

REED BUNTING (Emberiza schoeniclus schoeniclus)

It was a treat to watch the males sing and sway on the reeds of pretty much every marsh we visited

RUSTIC BUNTING (Emberiza rustica rustica)

Thankfully, our first cooperated nicely

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MAMMALS

EUROPEAN BROWN HARE (Lepus europaeus)

The giant bunny in the south

NORTHERN (BLUE) HARE (Lepus timidus)

The frosty bunny up north

EUROPEAN RED SQUIRREL (Sciurus vulgaris)

MUSKRAT (Ondatra zibethica) [I]

RED FOX (Vulpes vulpes)

One van got to see one before it ran off

BROWN (INCL. GRIZZLY) BEAR (Ursus arctos)

Our evening in the blind watching that sow and yearling will burn bright in my memory for the rest of my life

RINGED SEAL (Phoca hispida)

The subspecies in Lake Saimaa was isolated after the last glacial period with only several hundred remaining. Our boat cruise was a special treat and then to have that youngster come right up to us was fantastic

WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus) [I]

Introduced to Finland in the 1930s; a few were seen by some of us in the south

MOOSE (Alces alces)

Cow and calf running through the marsh was memorable

CARIBOU (Rangifer tarandus)

Fascinating cultural importance

ROE DEER (Capreolus capreolus)

A few of us saw some individuals while we were driving

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HERPS

VIVIPAROUS LIZARD (Zootoca vivipara)

A reptile that far north was surprising

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Totals for the tour: 150 bird taxa and 11 mammal taxa