Finland

Day 1
FLY UK TO OULU
Our birdwatching tour to Finland begins with a flight to Helsinki and then onwards to Oulu where our local guide will be waiting to welcome us. We transfer the short distance to our hotel, which will be our base for a three-night stay.

Oulu is a port on the northeast shore of the Gulf of Bothnia, barely 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle. With almost round-the-clock daylight in late May (the sunrises at around 3.30am and sets again at 11.00pm), this evening we may have an opportunity to try for our first owl of the trip: the diminutive but fearless Eurasian Pygmy Owl.

With luck, the calls of Crested Tits and other small birds may lead us to find a male perched in a nearby tree. Night Oulu

Days 2 - 3
OULU WETLANDS AND FORESTS
We spend these two days birding around Oulu, making a special effort to find some of Northern Europe’s rarest breeding birds.

Nowadays, there are only few pairs of Terek Sandpiper left in Finland but Oulu is a reliable spot for them and with the help of our local guide and contacts, our chances of finding one here are considerably enhanced. Pallid Harrier and Citrine Wagtail are two even rarer possibilities that occasionally nest in the area and if they are about, we will also try for them.

More than anything, Oulu is a fantastic place to look for owls. In the extensive forests around the town, we will concentrate our efforts on finding the widespread but elusive Tengmalm’s and Ural Owls. We also have a first opportunity to try for the ‘monarch of the boreal forest’, the magnificent Great Grey Owl. Short-eared Owls quarter the meadows and most years there are also Hawk Owls to look out for.

Owl numbers can vary markedly from one year to the next and in these vast Finnish forests, it will soon become apparent why expert local knowledge is a prerequisite to enjoying any degree of success in finding Scandinavia's special birds.

Nearby, Liminganlahti is an internationally important wetland reserve that harbours thousands of waders and ducks. Whooper Swan, Garganey, Smew, Marsh Harrier and Little Gull are all regularly present in spring, along with a few pairs of Black-tailed Godwit, a scarce breeding bird this far north. After watching for Common Cranes, Greylag Geese and White-tailed Eagles, we will head out into the forests in search of Black and Three-toed Woodpeckers. Two further nights Oulu

Days 4 - 6
KUUSAMO AND THE FORESTS
From Oulu, we head northeast to Kuusamo, where we spend the next three nights. Along the way, we will stop to scan some of the country's extensive forest bogs and mass of lakes - there are 187,000 of the latter in Finland! Lying less than 40 miles south of the Arctic Circle, Kuusamo has a deserved reputation as the most exciting birding area in all Finland.

Goldeneye, Wood Sandpiper and Brambling are relatively common in the mixed hill woodlands and bogs around Valtavaara, where scarcer breeding species can include Red-necked Grebe, Great Grey Shrike and Parrot Crossbill but the real draw is the quite unparalleled list of boreal 'exotics'. From Waxwing and Siberian Tit to Little and Rustic Buntings and the inquisitive Siberian Jay, there is more than enough here to keep our pulses racing all day! Rarest of all, the dazzling Red-flanked Bluetail occurs here at the extreme western edge of its range. Although it may not be within our grasp every year, our forays into the hills in search of this shy Siberian jewel are invariably one of the most memorable and exciting aspects of the tour.

On one day at Kuusamo, we will make an early morning excursion to look for grouse, heading into the immense forests that extend around town in search of the magnificent Capercaillie as well as Black and Willow Grouse. A moderate walk in the beautiful old forests could also reward us with sightings of the elusive Hazel Grouse, along with singing Bramblings and Redwings, whilst nearby pools could hold summer plumage Black-throated Divers and Slavonian and Red-necked Grebes.

Golden Eagles breed and are well worth scanning for as they soar above the trees, and that wild northern nomad, the Hawk Owl, also breeds at Kuusamo most years. With the assistance of our expert local guide and a network of contacts, we have the best possible chances of finding this scarce, unpredictable and elusive bird.

Another potential highlight of our visit will be a visit to a Brown Bear hide and whilst these large and majestic mammals can never be guaranteed, we will hope for some luck and sightings. Three nights Kuusamo

Day 7
FLIGHT FROM KUUSAMO TO HELSINKI AND ON TO THE UK
There may be time for some final birding before we head for the airport at Kuusumao for a flight to Helsinki, connecting onwards back to the UK.

A note about the itinerary:

Please note that the itinerary we detail here is intended only as a guide. No two years are ever the same on our tours to Finland and our local guides may vary the itinerary to include places which offer the best birding opportunities at the time of our visit so we may visit places not mentioned on our our website or in the Tour Information Pack or not visit some we have mentioned.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Our birdwatching tours to Finland run at the best time of year to see Scandinavia's sought-after owls and taiga specialities and also include an evening at a Brown Bear hide.

Highlights from our last Finland birding tour included Broad-billed and Terek Sandpipers, Great Grey, Ural, Hawk, Tengmalm's and Eurasian Pygmy Owls, Siberian Jay, Waxwing, Siberian Tit, Greenish Warbler, Red-flanked Bluetail, Parrot Crossbill, Little and Rustic Buntings and many more!

With almost round-the-clock daylight in late May and early June (sunrise is at 03.30am and sunset at 11.00pm in Oulu) and a host of owls and other taiga specialities to look for, to enjoy this tour to the full you should be prepared for early starts and late finishes.

Although most excursions are entirely optional, these do offer the best chances of seeing the key specialities, especially the owls and grouse, which are usually at their most active during the 'twilight' hours.

This is usually an exceptionally good tour for owls, but please be aware that owl numbers do fluctuate greatly year on year in response to the relative abundance of their prey (principally voles). In the event owl numbers are low in any given year, our expert guides invariably manage to find at least some of the species and participants will also find there is still much to enjoy on this superb tour!

Finland has a cold-warm climate. In May, the weather is generally cool to mild with daily temperatures at Oulu typically in the range of 3-12C (38-54F), averaging a little warmer in the south around Helsinki (4-15C/39-59F) and one or two degrees cooler at Kuusamo.

Insects Just about everyone travelling to Finland asks about insects but by visiting in late May-early June, we will be in advance of the main ‘mosquito season’ but their prevalence in any given year largely depends on whether spring comes early or late.

As a precaution, we recommend that you pack some effective repellent as ‘mozzies’ can be a local nuisance in some forest areas, especially around dusk, when we may be out looking for owls and other species.

Good photographic opportunities from time to time. Young owls in particular can be very photogenic!

GROUP SIZE

Maximum of 12 participants.

Should the number of clients be between four (our minimum number to operate the tour) and six, we will be able to operate the tour with our local English-speaking guides. If more than six bookings are received, a Limosa Leader will be travelling on our recommended flights.

BIRDS
100-150 species

ACCOMMODATION
Six nights accommodation in Finland, staying at comfortable medium-grade hotels - in Oulu (3 nights), Kuusamo (3 nights). All rooms are en suite.

MEALS
Main meals are included within our tour price, commencing with dinner on arrival at Oulu on Day 1 and concluding with breakfast on Day 7. Food is good throughout.

WALKING
Short walks on mainly good tracks and forest trails. The walking effort is mostly easy, although there may be some hills to climb. Occasional forays over uneven ground or uphill away from tracks are optional but may be necessary to find some birds. Sturdy waterproof walking boots are advised and knee-length wellingtons are sometimes necessary for walking in the wetter forest and we recommend you do take these.

TRAVEL

Despite the end of pandemic restrictions, we have taken the decision to continue to price our holidays as excluding international flights.

To keep the process as simple as possible, we are working very closely with a dedicated agent at Travel Counsellors, Sacha Barbato, who is essentially now our “in house” flight consultant.

Sacha will be able to advise you which flights we are recommending for each holiday, and he will be able to book these for you.

This will also sometimes give you the option to travel from a regional airport if you prefer.

GROUND TRANSPORT

By minibus or suitable vehicle depending on the group size.

• FINLAND Trip Report 2018 updated