We had another 3am meet the next day and met Mikko our guide. We started for the grouse again.
Willow Grouse, spotted by Chris
Capercaillie male at lek site
Capercaillie female
Black-throated Diver
Rustic Bunting
Taiga Bean Geese
Tengmalm's Owl
This dead tree was like a tenement block. The owls were nesting two holes up in 2022. A Goldeneye flew from next hole up just as we finished viewing.
Siberian Jay
Trying for Red-flanked Bluetail with no luck - too cold and windy on
Valtavaara hill. No three-toed Woodpecker either.
Northern Bullfinch
Pine Grosbeak
This was a much better trip. He gave us a site for Northern Hawk Owl, but there was no possibility of Pygmy Owl in this region.
Wood Sandpiper
Black Grouse female
Capercaillie female
Northern Hawk Owl
Our route took us along the border with Russia
The next day was another chance to retry these sites for Red-flanked Bluetail and Three-toed Woodpecker before moving on to the bear hide.
It was a much nicer day and we heard Wryneck but still no Three-toed Woodpecker or Bluetail.