First new birds in Finland
Six new additions to the list! Within minutes of arrival in Helsinki, we were watching a beautiful Long-eared Owl sitting in full view in broad daylight. Our guides Pekka and Mika had immediately proved their worth as this is a species we had missed on several occasions previously this year. But there was more to come as we walked deeper into the wood to see five recently-fledged juvenile birds. all eyes and fluff as they peered down at us, apparently just as interested in us as we were in them. What an amazing experience to be this close to such incredible birds. Two Finnish journalists, Eva and Peter, plus a cameraman, were along for the ride, so they immediately got the idea of what the Biggest Twitch was all about. Pekka and Mika were keen to move us on as they had more treats in store. A five-minute drive took us to a singing Blyth's Reed Warbler which sang in full view. On again to a shallow lake with muddy margins where we were astonished to see not just one, but sixty-seven Broad-billed Sandpipers, another bird that had eluded us previously. This was a great birding venue where we also enjoyed views of Red-necked Phalarope, Thrush Nightingale and, also new for the year, singing male Common Rosefinch. Arctic Tern and Barnacle Geese were also new additions on adjacent islands. All this in just a couple of hours on the outskirts of Helsinki: what a great start to the Finnish leg of our trip. As a finale, as we drove to our hotel a Black Woodpecker swooped low across the road, roll on tomorrow.Bird species list: 2236Posted 10pm, 30th May, Hauho, Finland