We were glad we did pack warm clothing as we headed out at first light the next morning for a walk in the forest of a national park just outside Helsinki. Under clear skies, temperatures had dropped during the night and the ground was frozen hard. Antero and Annika led us on a walk through mature pine forests along a mixture of tracks, footpaths and slippery boardwalks. At first, all was quiet, but then as the sun rose we heard some bird calls. We were rewarded with close views of Willow Tit and Crested Tit, pecking for seeds on the side of the trail. Willow Tits in Finland are larger and paler than the birds we’re used to seeing here in the UK. Deeper into the forest, we heard the calls of a Nutcracker but unfortunately the bird didn’t show. A sudden whirring of wings erupted from close to the path, bringing us all to an abrupt halt. We waited in silence, and luckily a beautiful Hazel Hen hopped up onto a bare branch and showed in the weak morning sun.
We stopped at a campsite in the middle of the forest where we fortified ourselves with hot tea and boiled eggs taken in the field, then we carried on and as we reached a clearing in the forest, a Grey-headed Woodpecker swooped across the path in front of us and luckily, landed in view, treating us to prolonged looks at this great bird. In the clearing, there was also a carcase of a roe deer which was providing a feast for a large gang of Ravens.
All too soon, it was time to say goodbye to our great hosts, Annika and Antero and fly back to Manchester, even wetter than the Finland we’d left behind us.We’re giving an all-new talk on The Biggest Twitch on Friday, 11th December at 7pm at Conwy RSPB. We’ve got new stories and pictures to share so call 01492 584091 to book your ticket now! We’ll be selling more of our limited edition Biggest Twitch calendars for 2010, and there will be an opportunity to register for a signed first edition copy of The Biggest Twitch book, due to be published in April 2010.