1. Black, white, grey and gold in Finland

If you wish to see and photograph  rare birds, then Finland is the place to go. A winter visit to photograph Golden eagles and owls was amazing. The snow scenery on the Russian border was spectacular and the eagles, some resident and others migratory, were abundant. Hawk and great grey owls were extremely hungry and coming down to feed on the deep snow. At minus 30 degrees Celcius and only five hours of light, restraints were placed on the day to say the least.   A return visit in April proved equally rewarding. It is surprisingly cold in Finland in springtime. You still need at least six layers of clothes to fight the daytime and night temperatures. It is only just above zero during the day and minus eight or ten in the night hides, if you wish to photograph Capercaillie or Black grouse on their leks.  When you travel to the east, to the Russian border, you can be sure to encounter deep snow and heavy snow showers even in May. Finland has a mouthwatering list of birds beyond the grouse and eagles –  Great grey, Ural, Tengmalm’s, Hawk and Short-eared owls are in abundance and hosts of Bramblings, Bullfinches, Crested, Willow and Siberian Tits, Waxwings, Common and Siberian jays and the more common passerines plus Hazel grouse, Osprey hunting, Cranes, Bean  and Pink footed geese, Rough-legged buzzards, Hen and Marsh harriers, Smew,  Goldeneye, Whooper swans, Slavonian grebe and Black-bellied dipper. Over all ninety species were seen, plus moose, mountain hare, reindeer and red squirrel.  A veritable feast for birders and wildlife enthusiasts. You will enjoy this talk if you like the very cold and hear about some unusual birds and are interested in those that lek.