Dippers of Kuusamo, Finland, 15 March 2015

After 14 March 2015 in north-east Finland came 15 March. Our last full day in Finland. Again, we went to the dipper nest where we had already been on 14 March. On this video, you can hear the dipper sing. You can also see the dipper’s environment; the water, flowing fast through ice and snow. But, you cannot see the dipper.

On this photo, you can.

The dipper sang on rocks in the river, and on the wooden bridge.

A second dipper, extremely probably his female partner, joined him on the bridge.

Then, back to the river for a song.

And back to the bridge again.

Then, together in the snow.

Then, to an ice-covered rock.

While the water kept speeding past the birds.

Every now and then, the dippers would bring nesting material to the wooden nestbox under the bridge.

Meanwhile, a red squirrel crossed the bridge, covered with snow.

Other birds near the dipper nest: great spotted woodpecker. Great tit.

A raven flies past, calling.

Then, we continue to a field where a northern hawk-owl has been seen. However, we don’t see the owl. We do see mountain hare tracks.

A bit further, pine grosbeaks high up a tree. They are not feeding on Swedish service tree berries this time, but on coniferous tree cones. Like their scientific name says: Pinicola enucleator; literally, ‘inhabitant of coniferous trees, removing cones’ cores’.

In another big coniferous tree: a siskin.

Back to the garden of photographer Hannu Hautala. There is a yellowhammer at a feeder; not many other birds.

We continued to a Siberian jay spot. That will be a separate blog post.

This video is called Hazel Grouse / Bonasa bonasia.

A bird species which we saw once in Finland, in the evening dusk.

In the morning of 16 March, our last morning in Finland, we still saw dippers and other birds. So, stay tuned!

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