Finland - The Owls Tour - Oriole Birding

Our Finland owls tour is designed to provide a superb opportunity to get to grips with some of Europe’s most wanted birds among some pristine habitats. From the magnificent Great Grey Owls that inhabit the deep and enchanting taiga forests to the enigmatic Siberian Jays the excitement begins at dawn and ends at dusk. There is literally so much to see that the birding is intense and long hours are spent in the field- this is the only way to get the most out of such a bird rich destination. Whilst every spring is different, our tour is timed so that owls and woodpeckers should still have young at the nest, and consequently, we have a realistic chance of encountering most of the species mentioned. The migrant passerines should also be well into breeding routines and still singing which makes them so much easier to find. Walks are short and much of the birding is done from the roadside or from tower hides. You can expect to see 130 + species.

DAY ONE

Fly London/Oulu via Helsinki. Upon arrival we make the five minute transfer to our hotel. After checking in, we take a short, pre-dinner excursion for some of the local specialties.

Overnight Airport Hotel in Oulu

DAYS TWO & THREE

The next two days are spent birding in the vicinity of Oulu. The Oulu region is best known for its breeding owls, which include Ural, Great Grey, Tengmalm’s, Short-eared and Eurasian Pygmy and Eurasian Eagle Owls, and in most years there are also Northern Hawk and Long-eared Owls, but these species are more nomadic than the other owls and are not always in the area. During these two days we will also visit Limminganlahti, an internationally important wetland that harbours thousands of shorebirds and wildfowl such as Eurasian Curlew, Common Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Ruff, Little Ringed Plover, Caspian Tern, Black-tailed Godwit, Northern Shoveler and Garganey. Great Bitterns can be heard booming, and a few pairs of Red-backed Shrike breed here. White-tailed Eagle and Marsh Harrier are regularly recorded. Numerous migratory birds come here to rest and young Common Cranes and Whooper Swans spend their summers here. Oulu is one of the last places in Finland where the rare Terek Sandpiper still breeds. There are only few pairs breeding in Finland and our local guide’s up to date knowledge will assist our efforts to find this enigmatic species. Citrine Wagtail is another rare breeding bird in the area, and once again we will endeavour to see this species. In the Bay of Liminka there are seven observation towers providing ideal vantage points. Little and Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns should also be present. We will also head to the forests to look for Eurasian Three-toed and Black Woodpeckers. Other possible forest species include Black and Hazel Grouse and Capercaillie. Although lying on the threshold of Lapland, some ‘night singers’ are found in Oulu area in most years. There might be a chance to find Thrush Nightingale and Blyth’s Reed Warbler – and perhaps even Corncrake.

Overnights Airport Hotel in Oulu

DAY FOUR

Following an early breakfast, we drive east through the beautiful northern landscape blanketed with forests and bogs, lakes and rivers to Kuusamo, a small city near the Russian border. We make stops en route for birds at some impressive wet bogs and large lakes, where we have good chances to see Smew, Common Crane, Osprey, Common Scoter and Whimbrel, amongst others.

Overnight Kuusamo

DAY FIVE

In Kuusamo, we can expect to encounter some real treats as we bird the expansive taiga forests. Whilst Common Goldeneye, Wood Sandpiper and Brambling are common, the real draw here is the undisputed list of eastern and northern species: Red-flanked Bluetail, Little and Rustic Buntings, Greenish Warbler, Siberian Tit and Siberian Jay are sure to be among everyone’s most wanted species. Other species might include a supporting cast of Bohemian Waxwing, Great Grey Shrike, Red-necked Grebe, Common Rosefinch and crossbills. Black and Three-toed Woodpecker, Black Grouse, Willow Grouse, Hazel Hen, Capercaillie and Little Gull all breed here but we’d need luck to see them all in a short visit. We will climb Valtavaara Hill for Red-flanked Bluetail. The terrain is mostly easy, but will involve one or two steep uphill climbs, so a reasonable level of fitness is required for this excursion, but the rewards are fantastic as we look across into Russia. We will take an early morning grouse drive during which we will head to the vast forests that extend around Kuusamo and look for Capercaillie and Black and Willow Grouse. A moderate walk to the beautiful old forest area, Oulanka National Park, might give us sightings of the elusive Hazel Grouse. A natural reserve adjoining the Paanajärvi National Park on the Russian side of the border, Oulanka is the westernmost extreme of the taiga or boreal coniferous forest zone. In addition to the spruce forests with beard lichen and thick moss, lichenous upland pine forests and wild river valleys, Oulanka also preserves wild life’s innumerable rarities. Its river valley flora and fauna is a distinctive mix of northern, eastern and southern species. North and south join hands in Oulanka. Narrow shouldered Siberian spruce forests, home of Brown Bears, Siberian Jays, Otters and Dippers create a strong sense of the boreal riverine wilds. It is a truly stunning place.

Overnight in Kuusamo

DAY SIX

After breakfast and some last minute birding we travel back to Oulu airport to catch our flight to Helsinki and the connection on to London where the tour will conclude.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Return flights London/Oulu via Helsinki, five nights en suite accommodation, airport taxes, dinners, lunches and breakfasts throughout, services of leaders, ground transport and reserve entrance fees.

NOT INCLUDED

Transport to/ from UK airport and any overnight stay that might be involved, travel insurance, drinks and items of a purely personal nature.

PASSPORT, VISA & HEALTH

Visas are not required by UK nationals. Passports must have 6 months validity beyond the return travel date. Standard health and inoculation requirements apply for UK nationals, visit www.masta-travel-health.com to check these and if necessary, download a free health brief to take to a travel appointment at your local medical practice.

Finland Tour Report May 2015

Finland 2016

Finland_Trip_Report_2022

Finland June 2023

Finland_30_to_4_June_2024

Finland_3rd_8th_June_2025

Finland 2026

“What a brilliant time we had in Finland! The whole holiday was very well organised by Oriole Birding, our two leaders were exceptionally gifted and helpful to the whole party. The hotels were very pleasing and well situated for local birding sites and the food provided was of good quality and quantity. The holiday ran smoothly from the start to the end. I would certainly go on another holiday with Oriole. The pre- trip details were very useful and covered everything I wanted to know. The birding was excellent, the only slight downside of the time away was the cold conditions but one became use to it and we were well prepared by Oriole.”

A.Davis, 2023 tour

“I would recommend this tour and Oriole Birding. Everything was well organised, the accommodation better than expected and allowed for on the doorstep birding, the food was good and varied throughout and the pre-tour info was very thorough. And obviously the birding itself was excellent, particularly the owls which the guides worked hard to find for us”

P.F, Norfolk

“Thanks for a very enjoyable trip – an excellent six days birding. It was very professionally led and great value for money. Well done Oriole Birding!”

M.H, Glamorgan

“Just a quick note to say thank you to you and Ari for your painstaking efforts to ensure we saw as many as possible of the targets and for your enjoyable company. The spectacular performances of the owls and grouse made it very worthwhile and more than made up for any missed species”

A.F, Southampton

“Thanks to Ari and everyone else on the trip for making it such a good experience. I can’t imagine travelling with anyone else as this was another great trip with Oriole Birding”

P.R, Kent

“Thank you for making the Finland birding trip so very exciting. We cannot get over the close views of the Great Grey Owls and family. Thank you also for the report, which I very much enjoyed reading. It reminded me of where we had seen so many species”

E.H & T.K, Australia

“The Oriole Birding trip to Finland for owls was superb. Well organised, efficient with an entertaining leader, and great value for money”

KA, London

“Keep up the standards, you are doing a great job! Nothing was too much trouble for the guides and the tour was excellent from every point of view; the birding, the weather, accommodation, vehicles and company. The pre-tour information was also very good indeed. A.P, Lancashire

“I finally got round to contacting you to say what a great trip this was. So much packed in to a relatively short time, but it never felt rushed. The owls were the obvious highlight, but so many good birds to see. A lovely country to visit and I would happily do the trip all over again.”

A.D, Edinburgh

“I thoroughly enjoyed my Finnish holiday with Oriole Birding. The guide and leader were both excellent but a particular mention must go to Ari who was always prepared to go the extra mile, quite literally at times, and what a bird finder. Paul made the trip relaxed and is an all round good guy.”

G.H, Carmarthenshire