A short break "Owling" in Finland

On 7 June Jerry joined Steve Roberts for a few days ringing Owls in Finland. They arrived at Kemi airport at about midnight and were met by Matti Seupajarvi (the contact who monitors most of the Owls in the area), and on the way to the campsite, stopped off at a quarry to try and get a response from the local pair of Eagle Owls.

Up at 08.00 on day one, and first stop was a Hawk Owl nest with five chicks (three had been previously ringed by Matti, and two of these were out of the nest and perched on low stumps nearby). The adults are usually very noisy (when anyone is in the vicinity), and the nest was fairly easy to find on the clearfell - in some retained Aspen trees with Black Woodpecker holes. Next up was a Pygmy Owl nest in a box, with five (close to fledging) chicks. The main event, however, was five Great Grey Owl nests, all in artificial nests, or open top trays, that Matti had put up. The third site had a very aggressive female, and she had to be caught, to allow Steve the chance to climb to the nest. The final nest was in a dead birch tree, where the surrounding woodland had been felled. Seeing the birds (both male and female) flying the 50m to alight on the tray, with Matti at the nest, was amazing - probably the highlight (of so many highlights) of the trip.

Hawk Owl fledgling

Nest box full of Pygmy Owl chicks

The aggressive female Great Grey lining Steve up for another strike

Day two was much the same, with five more Hawk Owl sites (ranging in age from just hatching to fledged young), a Tengmam's Owl nest with five chicks (another Black Woodpecker hole in a snapped off tree) and five more Great Greys. Two were in natural sites in old Goshawk nests (one of which had also been used by a Honey Buzzard). Steve had wisely decided that a cap with ear flaps, safety goggles and a thick coat were no longer adequate protection, and he was now in "full body armour". If it wasn't for the full face visor, he could have been an extra in one of Akira Kurosawa's movies. Other interesting sightings on the day were a family of Siberian Jay, Wood & Green Sandpipers, Hen Harriers (who nest amongst the trees rather than in the open areas), Cranes, Whooper Swans, Bean Geese, a Moose and two Reindeer (with calf).

adult Tengman's Owl at nest hole

brood of 5 Tengman's Owl

Day three was a bit of a "rest day", Matti was working (he's a paramedic working one 24 hour shift every fourth day), so Steve and Jerry took a taxi to a quarry where an Eagle Owl had previously nested. After about three hours, the nest was found with a single fledgling, a short distance from the nest. A Wigeon with c/10 was also found, but there wasn't enough time to look for the Greenshank and Little Ringed Plover also nesting in the quarry. After a quick lunch, it was a hike of about 4 km to a restock and another Eagle Owl. This nest was sheltered by a root plate, and had a younger chick that was still in the nest. Rain showers started in the late afternoon, so it was a call for a taxi to take them back to the campsite for an early night. The showers had the effect of bringing out a lot more mosquitoes for the next two days.

Day four was back to the usual routine, another Hawk Owl (which had failed, and the hole had been taken over by a Goldeneye), and the final four Great Greys. These included two more natural sites - in a 2014 Honey Buzzard nest (I expect the HBs had a bit of a surprise when they returned, hoping to replenish their nest), and on top of a snapped Aspen (about 15m up, with two chicks and two others recently fledged). Close to this latter site were a dead adult, and recent fledgling, Hawk Owl, presumably taken (but not eaten) by the Great Grey. More traveling was involved than on the first two days, as the sites were more dispersed, but they still managed to fit in a visit to a Three-toed Woodpecker nest.

Great Grey Owl at nest box with Matti

brood of 4 Great Grey Owl (2 still in nest, 2 fledged nearby)

Day five saw a return to ring the Eagle Owl chick (on the restock), and a walk over another restock, and a quarry, where Eagle Owls had previously nested, but these were not found. Another good sighting was a Scarlet Rosefinch, in full song, but no time to nest search, as it was then time for lunch and the flight home.

Eagle Owl chick

The final tally was Pygmy Owl - 5p, Tengman's Owl - 5p, Hawk Owl - 5p, Eagle Owl - 1p, Great Grey Owl - 34p & 8 + (2) adults, Three-toed Woodpecker - 2p.