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Overview
This town in eastern Finland is best known to birders as the premier site in Europe for Red-flanked Bluetail. It is also famous for the annual bird race in which as many as thirty teams take part, producing species lists of over 150 in mid-June.
Birds
Notable Species
There are many other typically Scandinavian woodland species in the surrounding coniferous forest covered hills. These include Siberian Jay, Siberian Tit, Tengmalm's Owl and Northern Hawk Owl, Common Crossbill and Parrot Crossbill, also Western Capercaillie and Hazel Grouse.
Higher areas have Golden Eagle and Willow Ptarmigan.
The lakes close to the town such as Toranki hold divers, grebes and various waterfowl, and in the wetlands around them, Temminck's Stint, Jack Snipe, Whimbrel and Broad-billed Sandpiper breed. Little Bunting and Rustic Bunting can also be found around the lakes.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver, Great Crested Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Whooper Swan, Taiga Bean Goose, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Velvet Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Smew, Goosander, Rough-legged Buzzard, Golden Eagle, Osprey, Hazel Grouse, Willow Ptarmigan, Black Grouse, Western Capercaillie, Common Crane, Ringed Plover, Temminck's Stint, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Jack Snipe, Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank, Wood Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, Little Gull, Northern Hawk Owl, Short-eared Owl, Tengmalm's Owl, Black Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Tree Pipit, Blue-headed Wagtail, Bohemian Waxwing, Bluethroat, Red-flanked Bluetail, Common Redstart, Redwing, Greenish Warbler, Arctic Warbler, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, European Pied Flycatcher, Willow Tit, Siberian Tit, Crested Tit, Great Tit, Siberian Jay, Chaffinch, Brambling, Eurasian Siskin, Common Crossbill, Parrot Crossbill, Two-barred Crossbill, Common Rosefinch, Pine Grosbeak, Little Bunting, Rustic Bunting, Reed Bunting
Other Wildlife
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Site Information
History and Use
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Areas of Interest
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Access and Facilities
Kuusamo is situated just east of Route 5 about 800 km north of Helsinki. There is hotel accommodation available as well as holiday apartments and a campsite.
Lake Toranki has an observation tower.
Contact Details
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External Links
Content and images originally posted by Steve
Reviews
stu's review
I cannot give a true 'birdwatching' review because I was there on a three day hiking trip,but I kept my eyes open.There was not the great numbers I was hoping for,but we encounted Siberian Jays every time we set up camp,they were almost tame in some areas.The highlight for me was a Black Woodpecker.You also get to see lots of Reindeer. Its a fabulous part of the world.
Pros
- Stunning contryside.Great roads into the area
