Red squirrel and willow tit in northern Finland

Still 11 March 2015. After the waxwings and other birds, we saw this red squirrel.

The squirrel was under one of two feeders close to a road near Oulu, northern Finland. It still had its greyish winter coat, not yet its more reddish summer fur.

The feeders attracted many birds as well. Like a yellowhammer. And a siskin.

And this willow tit.

Also great tits and blue tits.

This place reminded me of the artificial water holes for birds which I saw in the Gambia on 4 February 2012.

In both cases, on both sides of a footpath close to a road, at a forest’s edge, facilities for birds hung from trees.

Both places attracted, besides birds, squirrels: red ones in Finland; sun squirrels and striped ground squirrels in Gambia.

Also more differences, of course. No snow in Gambia, plenty of it in Finland. And dry season water in Gambia, winter food in Finland.

Controversy over charity’s help for mining in Finnish national park: here.

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