birding sites in

south Finland

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The forests around Konttainen and along the Valtavaara ridge are as beautiful as any in Finland. Spruce branches extending to the floor and an under-storey that includes Juniper are always two really good indicators of good forests

All the sites in this section are treated, in detail and with precise maps and directions, in my book ‘Finding Birds in South Finland’

If you have any information which you feel would help to update the book, please email me at dave@easybirder.co.uk and I’ll add your observations to these pages

To view more sites in South Finland click here

Valtavaara and Konttainen

Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Despite the increasing popularity of Iivaara, I still prefer Valtavaara. Over the years I’ve had Red-flanked Bluetail, Two-barred Crossbill, Pine Grosbeak, Three-toed Woodpecker, Arctic Warbler, Greenish Warbler, Hawk Owl and Hazel Grouse though it is possible to spend hours here and see none of those species. 

The view looking down from Konttainen. Now, which spruce tree is that Bluetail singing from?

Looking north from Konttainen. There was a female Bluetail at a nest where the path begins to drop down

The eastern slope of Konttainen  included a large clearing in 2010 when a pair of Hawk Owls bred here. We first found the bird roosting in the main tree in this picture

This feeding station is great for getting views of Siberian Jay

The location of the Black Grouse lek is marked by a sign.