Finland
Finland is a northern European country dominated by boreal forests, lakes, peatlands and glacial landscapes. Thousands of lakes cover the interior, while an intricate Baltic coastline contains countless islands and sheltered bays. Much of central and eastern Finland is densely forested, whereas the north transitions through open taiga to the treeless fells and tundra of Lapland. Extensive bogs and mires remain important features of the landscape. Finland has a strongly seasonal climate, with cold, snowy winters and relatively mild summers; above the Arctic Circle, winter polar nights contrast with the summer midnight sun.
Overview
Finland is one of Europe's premier destinations for boreal and Arctic birds, particularly owls, woodpeckers and grouse. The Oulu and Kuusamo regions are classic birding areas for Great Grey, Ural and Northern Hawk Owls, Siberian Jay, Siberian Tit, Three-toed Woodpecker and Capercaillie. Northern Lapland adds Gyrfalcon, Long-tailed Jaeger, Bluethroat and other Arctic specialties, while eastern forests can hold Red-flanked Bluetail. Wetlands support breeding waders, cranes and waterfowl, and the Baltic coast provides excellent migration birding. Finland has highly developed infrastructure and specialist birding guides, particularly around Oulu and Kuusamo. Long distances can require substantial driving, but the country is otherwise easy to explore. Late spring and early summer are especially rewarding for breeding northern species.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Tit Parus major | 48.4% | 58.1% | 61.4% | 57.8% | 48.3% | 40.1% | 28.2% | 29.5% | 34.4% | 44.9% | 59.2% | 61.1% | 57.6% |
| Hooded Crow Corvus cornix | 45.2% | 43.1% | 44.7% | 56.8% | 51.5% | 43.2% | 34.4% | 38.2% | 43.0% | 47.6% | 50.5% | 46.0% | 43.2% |
| Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus | 41.7% | 51.5% | 54.8% | 49.4% | 41.2% | 32.9% | 20.7% | 25.9% | 31.4% | 39.7% | 47.4% | 53.2% | 52.4% |
| Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula | 30.3% | 33.5% | 29.5% | 33.7% | 41.4% | 38.3% | 30.8% | 25.9% | 14.4% | 19.7% | 32.7% | 30.1% | 34.2% |
| Eurasian Magpie Pica pica | 29.8% | 37.2% | 38.1% | 34.5% | 26.4% | 21.1% | 18.5% | 21.9% | 22.1% | 28.5% | 34.2% | 38.4% | 36.7% |
| Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major | 25.0% | 31.6% | 32.1% | 28.9% | 23.0% | 18.7% | 16.7% | 17.0% | 23.1% | 25.1% | 26.1% | 28.9% | 28.5% |
| Eurasian Jackdaw Coloeus monedula | 24.3% | 24.3% | 26.5% | 32.6% | 29.0% | 24.3% | 17.1% | 12.8% | 17.7% | 28.4% | 33.3% | 23.3% | 22.5% |
| Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs | 23.8% | 4.7% | 3.6% | 9.4% | 51.5% | 51.1% | 43.7% | 25.9% | 25.7% | 38.6% | 21.2% | 6.4% | 4.3% |
| Mallard Anas platyrhynchos | 23.7% | 13.7% | 10.1% | 20.1% | 40.2% | 33.4% | 21.5% | 23.7% | 29.5% | 27.5% | 27.1% | 21.8% | 15.9% |
| Common Gull Larus canus | 23.0% | 7.2% | 5.0% | 10.8% | 42.5% | 44.1% | 38.3% | 40.9% | 25.6% | 18.4% | 19.0% | 14.2% | 10.1% |