This week we share more avian highlights from T.D.’s recent trip to Scandinavian Finland. Have any questions or comments about the birds or locations we’ve shared? Engage with us in the comment section below!
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Waterfowl of Finland Part I
Another good reason why birders go to Finland is to view its abundant waterfowl. While some geese and ducks are seen mostly as migrants to the far north, others breed in the large Lake District and even in Helsinki, the capital, and are relatively easy to see. We begin with two such species.
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus
This beauty is the largest of Finland’s waterfowl. There is a pair of whooper swans nesting on lakes and wetlands large and small. They often can be seen foraging in grain fields (to the farmer’s dismay). There is something truly regal in this swan’s personality.
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
This pair of barnacle geese resides in one of Helsinki’s many parks near the waterfront. In recent years they have also colonized the fortress islands just outside Helsinki’s waterfront. The video of this family illustrates the care the geese provide the goslings on the islands. But their main home is far to the north and thousands upon thousands can be seen staging on wetlands during spring migration.
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