Republic of Finland
Finland is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It borders Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the south, opposite Estonia. Finland covers over 338,000 km2 (over 130,000 square miles) and has a population of 5.6 million. Around 1.36 million line in its capital and largest city, Helsinki. The distance from the southernmost point – Hanko in Uusimaa, to the northernmost – Nuorgam in Lapland, is 1,160 kilometres (720 miles). The majority of the population are ethnic Finns. The official languages are Finnish and Swedish; c.85% of the population speak the first as their mother tongue and 5% the latter. Finland’s climate varies from humid continental in the south to boreal in the north.
The land cover is predominantly boreal forest biome, with more than 180,000 recorded lakes and 179,000 islands. Its largest lake, Saimaa, is the fourth largest in Europe. Finnish Lakeland has the highest density of lakes in the country; many of the major cities in the area, most notably Tampere, Jyväskylä and Kuopio, are located near the large lakes. The Finnish coastline is speckled with the world’s largest archipelago, encompassing more than 50,000 islands, the greatest concentration of which is found in the southwest, in the Archipelago Sea between continental Finland and the main island of Åland.
Lake Pielinen from Paha-Koli in Lieksa – ©Ximonic (Simo Räsänen) CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Much of the geography of Finland is a result of the Ice Age. The glaciers were thicker and lasted longer in Fennoscandia compared with the rest of Europe. The eroding effects have contributed to a mostly flat landscape in Finland, characterised by hills. However, in the northern regions, including areas bordering the Scandinavian Mountains, the terrain features mountainous elevations. At 4,344 feet, Halti is the highest point in Finland. It is found in the north of Lapland at the border between Finland and Norway.
The landscape is covered mostly by coniferous taiga forests and fens, with little cultivated land. Of the total area, 10% is lakes, rivers, and ponds, and 78% is forest. The forest consists of pine, spruce, birch, and other species. Finland is the largest producer of wood in Europe and among the largest in the world. The most common type of rock is granite. It is a ubiquitous part of the scenery, visible wherever there is no soil cover. Moraine or till is the most common type of soil, covered by a thin layer of humus of biological origin. Gleysols and peat bogs occupy poorly drained areas. A third of Finland’s land area originally consisted of moorland, about half of this area has been drained for cultivation over the past centuries.
Joutsenenpesäaapa string bog in Sodankylä, Lapland – ©Simo Räsänen CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Phytogeographically, Finland is shared between the Arctic, central European, and northern European provinces of the Circumboreal Region within the Boreal Kingdom. It can be subdivided into three eco-regions: the Scandinavian and Russian taiga, Sarmatic mixed forests, and Scandinavian Montane Birch forest and grasslands. Taiga covers most of Finland from northern regions of southern provinces to the north of Lapland. On the southwestern coast, south of the Helsinki-Rauma line, forests are characterised by mixed forests, that are more typical in the Baltic region. In the extreme north of Finland, near the tree line and Arctic Ocean, Montane Birch forests are common.
Similarly, Finland has a diverse and extensive range of fauna. There are at least sixty native mammalian species, and around 250 breeding bird species. Large mammals found in Finland are the brown bear, grey wolf, wolverine, and elk. The endangered Saimaa ringed seal, one of only three lake seal species in the world, exists only in the Saimaa lake system of southeastern Finland, down to only 390 seals today. The species has become the emblem of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation.
Helvetinjärvi National Park taiga landscape – ©kallerna CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Winters in southern Finland (when mean daily temperature remains below 0 °C or 32 °F) are usually about 100 days long, and in the inland the snow typically covers the land from about late November to April, and on the coastal areas such as Helsinki, snow often covers the land from late December to late March. Even in the south, the harshest winter nights can see the temperatures fall to −30 °C although on coastal areas like Helsinki, temperatures below this are rare. Climatic summers (when mean daily temperature remains above 10 °C or 50 °F) in southern Finland last from about late May to mid-September, and in the inland, the warmest days of July can reach over 35 °C. Although most of Finland lies on the taiga belt, the southernmost coastal regions are sometimes classified as hemi-boreal. The Finnish climate is suitable for cereal farming only in the southernmost regions, while the northern regions are suitable for animal husbandry. A quarter of Finland’s territory lies within the Arctic Circle and the midnight sun can be experienced for more days the farther north one travels. At Finland’s northernmost point, the sun does not set for 73 consecutive days during summer and does not rise at all for 51 days during winter.
Birding Finland
Why come birdwatching in Finland?
As the easternmost country completely in Europe, Finland has many species of birds that are not easy to get to see elsewhere, e.g. Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Red-flanked Bluetail, Arctic Warbler, Pine Grosbeak, Yellow-breasted Bunting and Little Bunting, to name but a few.
Repovesi National Park – ©M Passinen CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The fact that Finland is located in the coniferous forest zone means that there are good chances of seeing many of the northern forest species. Of the game birds, the Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Hazel Hen, Willow Grouse and Ptarmigan are frequently to be seen, and of the woodpeckers one finds the Grey-headed, Three-toed, White-backed and Black varieties. The most interesting species of all, however, are owls, of which there can be as many as 10 species nesting in Finland in a good year, ranging from the tiny Pygmy Owl to the huge white Snowy Owl. The pine forests and mountain birch zone of Northern Finland have numerous species with a markedly northern distribution, such as the Parrot Crossbill, Lapland Bunting, Siberian Jay and Siberian Tit.
Many birds of open habitats, e.g. the Ortolan Bunting, have become rarer in other parts of Europe but are still relatively common in Finland, while the largest of our terns, the Caspian Tern, is an example of the impressive range of seabirds. The waders that nest on our bogs are also of interest, as many of them are seen in other parts of Europe only in the course of migration or in their winter plumage. These include the Broad-billed Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, Jack Snipe, Wood Sandpiper, Temminck’s Stint and Ruff.
The sight of a Crane or a Whooper swan, the Finnish national bird, building its nest is something one can never forget. Similarly, diurnal birds of prey such as the Gyrfalcon; that magnificent master of the wildernesses, the Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle and Rough-legged Buzzard of Forest Lapland abound. Finland’s popularity with ornithologists is also greatly enhanced by the incomparable sights provided in late May and again in September-October by the mass migration offshore and water birds over the country on their way to and from the arctic.
Winter in Oulu – ©Estormiz CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
The best times for seeing this are the middle of May in Southern Finland and the end of May in the Oulu area, while the summer migrants and eastern rarities reach Lapland sometime in the middle of June. July and August are usually somewhat quieter nesting months. There are often interesting rare eastern species such as Richard’s Pipit or Yellow-browed Warbler to be seen in September or October. Autumn is also the best time for seeing eastern migrants such as Waxwing, three species of crossbill, Pine Grosbeak and Nutcracker on their invasion.
A virtual birdwatching tour of Finland
Unspoiled nature and the peace of the countryside. When you arrive in Finland on a birdwatching tour you will be coming to a country with an unspoiled natural environment, to enjoy the wind sighing in the forests, the light sparkling on the surface of its lakes and the freshness of the clean air. Finland has 69% of its area covered by forests and 10% by water (a total of 187,888 lakes). The majority of the forests are owned by ordinary private citizens, and the Right of Common Access allows everyone to benefit from nature by walking, skiing, hiking, canoeing, rowing, gathering mushrooms or berries or watching the birds in the countryside wherever they please provided they do not cause any damage to the environment or any inconvenience to the landowners. Separate permits are required for hunting and fishing.
Elimyssalo Nature Reserve – ©Xanara CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
You will also find peace and quiet in the Finnish countryside. As the country is very sparsely populated (only 17 inhabitants per square kilometre on average); it is easy to find a peaceful spot where you can hear nothing but the sounds of nature itself without any human disturbance. You can study the birds of the area entirely on your own if you so wish – by hiring a cottage in the depths of the countryside and sitting out on its porch. It is in the countryside that you will meet up with the historical roots of everything that is Finnish. The whole panorama of the peasant farming culture will be there before your eyes. You can enjoy tasty Finnish food prepared from high-quality, pure local ingredients, and will have the opportunity to experience the closeness to nature that is characteristic of the traditional Finnish way of life.
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Jouni Riihimäki
PL 131 (Birger Jaarlin katu 13); 13101 Hämeenlinna, puh: 03-2420 446, gsm: 0503 657 391, fax: 03-2420 556 | jouni.riihimaki@vyh.fi
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Teemu Lehtiniemi
BirdLife Suomi ry, BirdLife Finland rf, PL 1285, 00101 Helsinki Puh. (09) 685 4700, Fax (09) 685 4722 | toimisto@birdlife.fi
https://www.birdlife.fi
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Number of bird species: 501
(As at April 2025)National Bird: Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus
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Avibase
PDF ChecklistThis checklist includes all bird species found in Finland , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them. -
E-Bird
PDF ChecklistThis checklist is generated with data from eBird (ebird.org), a global database of bird sightings from birders like you. If you enjoy this checklist, please consider contributing your sightings to eBird. It is 100% free to take part, and your observations will help support birders, researchers, and conservationists worldwide. -
Wikipedia
Annotated ListThis is a list of the bird species recorded in Finland. The avifauna of Finland included a total of 501 confirmed species as of October 2024, according to BirdLife Suomi.
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Birds of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East
| Photographic Guide | By Frédéric Jiguet & Aurélien Audevard | PUP | 2017 | Paperback | 447 pages, 2200 colour photos, colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9780691172439 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Collins Bird Guide
| By Lars Svensson | Harper Collins | Edition 3 | 2023 | Paperback | 478 pages, 4000+ colour illustrations, 700 colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9780008547462 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Finding Birds in South Finland
| By David Gosney | Easybirder | 2010 | Paperback | 40 pages, maps | ISBN: 9781907316258 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Finding Birds in South Finland - The DVD (Region 2)
| By David Gosney | Easybirder | Runtime 95 minutes| ISBN: #189124 Buy this book from NHBS.com
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Jurmo Bird Observatory
Observatory WebsiteSatellite ViewFounded in 1962 and managed by Turku Ornithological Society, the Jurmo Bird Observatory is located in the southern rim of the Turku Archipelago. The vegetation and scenery in Jurmo are unique, which attracts a wide and distinct range of birds both to breed on and to migrate via the island and the surrounding waters. -
Tankar Bird Station
Observatory WebsiteSatellite ViewContact Details: Tankarin lintuasema, Harri Hongell, Raahenkatu 46, 67200 KOKKOLA, puh. 06-8314903 tai 050-5110047 e-mail: harri.hongell.ymparisto.fi
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Finnish Museum of Natural History
WebsiteThe vertebrate collections presently comprise about 140 000 specimens. Mammals and birds are usually represented as skins or skeletons, and sometimes as stuffed animals. Fishes, amphibians, and reptiles in turn are kept in alcohol. A majority of the vertebrate samples are from Finland. The museum also hosts a large, internationally valuable bird egg collection. A frozen tissue collection of vertebrate material has been started for purposes of DNA analyses. The collections are primarily used for research purposes, but some specimens are on display in the museum’s public exhibition. -
Turku University Zoological Museum
WebsiteThe Department of Biology is one of the most productive and successful science departments at the University of Turku. The department produces internationally esteemed research mainly with outside and competed research funding.
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BirdLife Suomi-Finland
WebsiteBirdLife Finland is a bird conservation and recreation organization that promotes the preservation of biodiversity. BirdLife Finland is part of BirdLife International, the world's largest environmental NGO network. -
Birdlife Kanta-Häme
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Central Finland Bird Club
WebsiteThe aims of the Central Finland Bird Club are to connect birdwatchers, to promote bird watching, common knowledge on birds as well as the protection of birds and the environment of birds. The club collects, stores and publishes records of birds of the area. Red-throated Diver is the symbol of the club. The club is a member in BirdLife Finland. There are about 400 members in the club… -
Etelä-Karjalan Lintutieteellinen Yhdistys
WebsiteSouth Karelian Bird-based Association -
Etelä-Savon Lintuharrastajat Oriolus
WebsiteWelcome to our association, the Oriolus Association of Southern Savo Bird Watchers, on our homepage! Our association is an association of wild bird watchers. -
Finnish Ornithological Society
WebsiteThe Finnish Ornithological Society promotes scientific research of birds in Finland and publishes the scientific ornithological journal Ornis Fennica. Finnish Ornithological Society is a member of BirdLife Finland, the Finnish partner of BirdLife International. The Society was established in 1924. -
Kainuun Lintutieteellinen Yhdistys
WebsiteThe purpose of the association is to define the protection of birds and other nature, bird research, compilation of bird information as a link between the site and the interest of people interested in birds. -
Kemin lintuharrastajat Xenus Ornithological Society
WebsiteWelcome to Kemi-Tornio's Bird Watchers on the Xenus ry's website. Xenus ry is a local association of Kemi-Tornio regional bird watchers, also a member of Birdlife Finland's association. -
Keski- ja Pohjois-Uudenmaan Lintuharrastajat Apus ry
WebsiteApus ry is a birdwatcher's club in Central and Northern Uusimaaan association that aims to promote bird hunting and bird conservation in its own territory, in Finland and internationally. -
Keski-Pohjanmaan Lintutieteellinen Ornithological Society
WebsiteYhdistyksemme on BirdLife Suomen jäsenyhdistys. Yhdistyksen havaintojenkeruu- ja toimialue ulottuu rannikolla etelästä Uusikaarlepyyn ja Oravaisten rajalta pohjoiseen Kalajoen ja Pyhäjoen rajalle. -
Kymenlaakson Lintutieteellinen Ornithological Society
WebsiteKyLY is an association of birdwatchers in Kymenlaakso. As a member, support for bird conservation, learn more about birds and get involved in diverse activities ... -
Lounais-Hämeen Lintuharrastajat Ornithological Society
WebsiteBy 30 June 2018 Tiira has recorded 130,314 observations from Southwest Häme. By municipality the findings are divided as follows: Forssa 27 552, Humppila 1 771, Jokioinen 29 673, Somero 12 171, Tammela 31 924, Urjala 12 186 and Ypäjä 15 037. -
Merenkurkun Lintutieteellinen Ornithological Society
WebsiteThe Kvarken Bird Training Association r.y. was established in 1979 as a link to birdwatchers and researchers in the area. The purpose of the association is to guide bird hunting and bird observation activities, promote bird awareness and exploration in the area, and protect birds and nature. -
Pirkanmaan Lintutieteellinen Ornithological Society
WebsitePirkanmaan Lintutieteellinen Yhdistys (PiLY) works to promote bird conservation, research and bird hunting. PiLY has about 1,200 members, BirdLife Finland's second largest member association - join us! -
Pohjois-Karjalan Lintutieteellinen Yhdistys [North Karelian Ornithological Society]
WebsiteNorth Karelian Ornithological Society was founded in 1974. The aim of the society is to promote birdwatching, research and protection of birds in the province of North Karelia. This includes systematic gathering, filing and publishing of bird observations, arranging meetings and excursions. Society, a partner of BirdLife Finland, has more than 200 members… -
Pohjois-Pohjanmaan Lintutieteellinen Ornithological Society
WebsiteNorthern Ostrobothnia Birdlife Association (PPLY) is one of the local associations of national BirdLife Finland association. The association was founded in 1973. Our goal is to promote bird protection, bird hunting and research and to act as a link to birdwatchers in Northern Ostrobothnia. -
Porvoon Seudun Lintuyhdistys ry
WebsiteThe Porvoonseudun Lintuyhdistys ry. is the second oldest regional bird association in Finland. The foundation of the association is bird observation, protection and research support. You can find out about us using the links below the main menu to see the staff members and rules. -
Päijät-Hämeen Lintutieteellinen Ornithological Society
WebsitePHLY is the home base of the Päijät-Hämäläinen birdwatcher, a club where industry enthusiasts work together. The word association and the word scientific may sound very rigid, but basically bird watching is anything but rigid. -
South Karelia Ornithological Society
WebsiteFounded in 1969, the South Karelian Bird Training Association (EKLY) is Birdlife's local association in Finland, whose mission is to promote and maintain bird hunting and bird conservation in the province of South Karelia. The main activity of the association is the volunteering and acting of bird watchers and the collection of observation material in the EKLY area. -
Suomenlinna Ornithological Society
WebsiteAt the core of "Suomenlinna Ornithological Society" is the invention of new bird species with electronic birdsongs. The concrete sources of these birdsongs are samples taken from a museum film about the history of the island of Suomenlinna, a Finnish sea fortress witness to scenes of conflict since the 18th century. -
Södra Österbotten Ornithological Society
WebsiteOstrobothnia Australis r.f. (OA) is one of Finland's oldest natural science associations founded in 1924. The association's hometown is Vaasa, but we are active throughout Ostrobothnia. Ostrobothnia Australis is Latin for "Southern Ostrobothnia". -
Tringa Ornithological Society
WebsiteTringa is the ornithological society for the Uusimaa province in southern Finland. With its over 2000 members, Tringa is the largest member of BirdLife Finland… -
Turku Ornithological Society
WebsiteThe Bird Watching Association The Turku Bird Training Association (= TLY), despite its name, operates throughout Southwest Finland - from Uusikaupunki to Salo, from Parainen to Loimaa. -
Ålands Fågelskyddsförening rf
WebsiteVi håller vårt årsmöte tisdagen den 18 mars klockan 18.30 på Restaurang Nautical. Alla medlemmar är varmt välkomna!
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Finland's IBAs
InformationSatellite ViewOver 100 IBAs -
IBA Kaamanen
InformationSatellite ViewKaamanen near the city of Inari is particularly renowned for its variety of bird species which are difficult to spot elsewhere and is especially popular with bird photographers. Bird species include pine grosbeaks, Siberian jays, grey-headed chickadees, willow warblers, and willow grouse. There are also rare opportunities for seeing Finland’s magnificent owls such as the mouse or short-eared owls. -
IBA Kokemäenjoki River Delta
Observatory WebsiteSatellite ViewThe number of bird species breeding in the area is ca. 110, and the total number of bird taxa living and resting during the migration periods amounts to 220 species (i.e. nearly the whole range of the 248 bird species of the permanent Finnish bird taxa) -
IBA Liminka Bay
InformationSatellite ViewThe largest bay on the Gulf of Bothnia with up to 200 bird species to see. As early as August, birds will start migrating south and you can spot Caspian terns, white-tailed eagles, black grouse and so many flocks of geese you will lose count. -
IBA Vimpa islands on the Hamina Archipelago
InformationSatellite ViewThe Vimpa islands on the Hamina Archipelago are popular for fishing trips but offer excellent bird watching too. Millions of arctic birds pass over the islands during the migration periods, including white-tailed eagles, which can be seen from the bird watching towers. -
NC Harakka
Facebook PageSatellite ViewThe Harakka Nature Centre offers visitors encounters with nature, activities, and information on the Baltic Sea, maritime nature and sustainable living. The Nature Centre operates in historical surroundings on the magnificent Harakka (“magpie”) Island featuring extraordinarily rich flora and bird species. Only a short distance from the Kaivopuisto Park, Harakka takes visitors to delicate archipelago nature that overlooks open sea. -
NP Nuuksio
InformationSatellite ViewThe park spreads over an area of forests and lakes in Espoo, Kirkkonummi and Vihti. North-west from Helsinki, it is the second-closest national park to the capital behind the recently established Sipoonkorpi National Park. The name is derived from the Nuuksio district of Espoo. Within the park there are eight marked trails for hiking. These trails vary in length and difficulty, being between 1.5 km and 17 km long. In addition, there are 30 km of biking trails and 22 km of horse riding trails. Designated spots for grilling, camping and skiing are scattered across the park. The Siberian Flying Squirrel (Pteromys volans) is the emblem of the national park due to its high density population density there. Dozens of endangered or near threatened species animals, plants and fungi are known to inhabit the area, for instance the Siberian flying squirrel, the European nightjar and the woodlark. -
NP Torronsuo
InformationSatellite ViewFinland’s finest bog and the largest raised bog in Europe provides a highly different bird watching opportunity. The duckboards laid out over the area and the bird watching towers giving views across the entire bog allow visitors to see cranes and geese which stop by during migration. Torronsuo is valuable for its birdlife and butterfly species. Roughly a hundred species nest in the area. Part of the birds and insects are species that typically live in the northern areas, and they aren't seen much elsewhere in southern Finland. -
NR Laajalahti
InformationSatellite ViewLaajalahti is one of the best bird wetlands within the Helsinki-Espoo-Vantaa metropolis. It is a fantastic place to observe birds both during migration and at other times. The nature reserve's trails and bird watching towers offer the perfect services for a day trip. For the most part Laajalahti Nature Reserve consists of open water. There are also a broad reedbed and shoreline groves and meadows. It is an important area for the plentiful nesting population in the region and for the thousands of birds which stop there during spring and autumn migration in April-May and August-September. The aim of the nature reserve is to conserve the shallow sea water bay and its surrounding area and for the area to possibly be used for outdoor recreation. -
North Karelia Nature Reserves and National Parks
WebsiteSatellite ViewIt has been estimated that 52,250 hectares (3.4%) of the forest land in North Karelia are protected by law. This area includes the national and nature parks, the conservation areas of groves, old forests and swamps and the private nature reserves… -
Protected areas of Finland
InformationSatellite ViewInteractive lkinks toi National Parks, Strict Nature Reserves etc. -
Wetlands
WebpageSatellite ViewFinland currently has 49 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface area of 799,518 hectares.
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Barcelona Birding Point
Tour OperatorThis tour is very carefully timed so that we will be visiting Finland and Finnmark early enough to give us an enhanced opportunity to see owls and other forest specialities... -
BirdFinders
Tour OperatorTour news 2008 news 2006 news Other information 2007 species list Terms and conditions Booking form Insurance Google Search Birdfinders Search the web Translate this page Select Language Powered by Google TranslateTranslate FINLAND OWLS AND NORWAY 11–16 May 2025 Extension 16–21 May 2025 Finland’s bird-rich forests, lakes and marshes, Norway’s tundra, the Varanger Fjord and the Arctic Ocean form the backdrop to this exciting tour. Target species will include Hazel Grouse, all five northern owls, Black and Eurasian Three-toed Woodpeckers, Siberian Jay, Grey-headed Chickadee (Siberian Tit)... -
BirdQuest
Tour OperatorFINLAND & ARCTIC NORWAY – Birding in the Land of the Midnight Sun. -
Birding Ecotours
Tour OperatorOulu is a famous area for breeding owls and we will find other forest species. We then visit Finland’s most important wetland, the Bay of Liminka, where lots of shorebirds will be seen and perhaps find some exciting migrants, before continuing to the expansive taiga forests in Kuusamo and the pristine Oulanka National Park. -
Birdwatching Helsinki - Samuel Bloch
Local Tour OperatorBest of Birding in Finland's capital -
FieldGuides
Tour OperatorA superb itinerary from the capital to the Arctic Circle, following the flow of spring migration in search of displaying grouse, nesting owls, lekking Ruffs, and special mammals, including Wolverines.... -
Finnature
Local Tour OperatorFinnature offers travel arrangements and itinerary services for groups in Finland, Norway and Estonia, Highly trained English speaking birding guides, Brown Bear watching and photography opportunities, Wildlife and landscape photography tours and Wildlife photos and lectures… -
HeatherLea
Tour OperatorGreat birding with chances of all the northern Scandinavian specials! -
Naturalist Journeys
Tour OperatorNaturalist Journeys tour to Finland and Norway at the height of spring bird activity in the far north of Europe! This tour offers opportunities to observe a wonderful collection of Arctic and boreal birds, including Great Gray and Boreal Owl, Red-flanked Bluetail, Siberian Jay, Black Grouse, Western Capercaillie, and so many more. -
NatureTrek
Tour OperatorFinland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. It has thousands of lakes and islands, and most of the land is flat, covered in taiga forest and fens. -
Oriole Birding
Tour OperatorOur 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. -
Rockjumper Birding Tours
Tour OperatorWe offer a short birding tour of Finland to the forests and coastal area of the Oulu region, with the highlights being the numerous owls to be found in the area. Other targets include Smew, Black Grouse, Western Capercaillie, Red-flanked Bluetail, Siberian Jay, Grey-headed Chickadee, Bohemian Waxwing, Pine Grosbeak and Two-barred Crossbill. -
Sunrise Birding
Tour OperatorWild and unspoiled, Finland is home to some of Europe’s most sought after birds... -
The Travelling Naturalist
Tour OperatorFinland’s unspoilt land of thick forests and salmon-rich rivers provides the best opportunity in Europe to see brown bear.... -
Wild Finland
Tour OperatorWildlife Safaris Finland Oy gives neither guarantees for any animals to be seen nor pictures to be taken. It is about wild animals for which behaviour we cannot take any responsibility. -
Wise Birding Holidays
Tour OperatorWolverines & Bears with Saimaa Seal Extension
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2018 [03 March] - Nina Johanlon - Winter Finland Birding
ReportAfter arriving in Kuusamo late the evening before (and finding out that we didn’t actually have a hire car to get around) we spent the morning walking around the frozen, snow covered Lake Toranki. The surrounding woodland areas were quiet with the occasional Blue Tit, Great Tit and Chaffinch calling, with the most birds seen around some garden feeders. One of the highlights of the day was a couple of ‘trumpeting’ Northern Bullfinches flying over, with slightly obscured views of them in the trees. In the afternoon we took the bus to Ruka and then to Valtavarra to suss out the best places to spend the rest of the weekend. -
2018 [06 June] - Hannu Jännes - Finland & Arctic Norway
PDF ReportThis year’s Birdquest tour to Finland and Norway was once again a great success. Not only did we find the great majority of target birds, we were able to enjoy them in the stunning landscapes of the “Land of the midnight sun” with its almost endless boreal forests, countless lakes, wet bogs, mighty rivers, partly snow covered fells and the rugged coast of the Arctic Ocean that teems with birdlife -
2019 [05 May] - David Karr
PDF ReportA four-day birding excursion to northern (sub-Arctic) Finland. The private visit was designed to connect with two eight-hour organized tours offered by the Finnish company, Finnature at Oulu (27 May) and at Kuusamo (30 May). All target species were seen, with the notable exception of Little Bunting, Emberiza pusilla which had been reported around Kuusamo at the time of the visit -
2019 [05 May] - James Dee - Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden
PDF ReportI’ve split this summary up into countries and regions in case anyone gets bored of the rambling, especially in the Varanger section. It may seem long, but covers a six-month period, 26 countries and 16,000 miles driven so I hope it’s relatively succinct. -
2019 [06 June] - Nigel Redman - Finland & Norway
PDF ReportNorthern Fenno-Scandia (Lapland) is a classic European birding destination. This year’s itinerary combined the boreal forests, lakes, and marshes of northern Finland with the fjords and tundra of northern Norway, with great success. -
2022 [06 June] - Finland & Norway - Gerard Gorman
PDF ReportThis first Naturalist Journey’s trip to Finland and Norway was a great success! A fabulous tour that took in two captivating and friendly countries and many wonderful places and habitats within them. From the taiga forest, peatbogs and lakes of Finland to the tundra, mountains and Arctic coast of the Barents Sea in Norway... -
2022 [08 August] - Frank van Groen
PDF ReportI made this birdwatching holiday to Finland with my wife Inka. During 3 weeks we stayed overight at 15 different places. Our roadtrip to Finland was from Helsinki to the Norwegian border and back, almost 4000 km by hired car. We had practically no problems with insects like mosquitos or mitches. Unfortunately the wheater was cool, cloudy most of the time and sometimes rainy periods occured. In the south the weather was better, especially in Lahti and Helsinki, where warm and dry conditions prevailed. Most of Finland is forested (70%), the rest conists of water and agricultural fields. The country is known for its many lakes, as much as 168.000. -
2023 [03 March] - Lapland
PDF ReportFinland, Norway & Swedn -
2023 [06 June] - Carles Oliver
ReportAgain, we did very in Owls and Grouses, enjoying all 5 possible species of grouses with multiple views on all of them, and 5 species of Owls plus lovely views in rather scarce species including Gyrfalcon, White-billed Diver, Three-toed Woodpecker, Steller’s Eider and Rustic Bunting. -
2023 [06 June] - Gerard Gorman
PDF ReportAnnotated list -
2023 [06 June] - Gerard Gorman
PDF ReportThis second Naturalist Journeys trip to Finland and Norway was an immense success... -
2023 [06 June] - Hannu Jännes
PDF ReportAnother successful Birdquest tour of Finland and northern Norway produced not only the great majority of target birds, but they were seen against the stunning backdrop of the “Land of the Midnight Sun” with its seemingly endless boreal forests, countless lakes, wet bogs, mighty rivers and partly snow-covered fells. -
2024 [03 March] - Jon Lehmberg
PDF ReportSeeing StellerÕs and King Eiders in large numbers on the Varanger Peninsula in Norway, and seeing them really well, has been a wish for the both of us for such a long time... -
2024 [03 March] - Menno van Duijn
PDF ReportArctic birds in the winter speak to the imagination from the colorful eider ducks, splendid Pine Grosbeaks to the seabird colonies... -
2024 [05 May] - Doug Gochfeld
ReportBirds weren’t the only animals we were on the hunt for during the tour. We also spent a couple of evenings at wildlife-viewing blinds in the wilderness... -
2024 [05 May] - Gina Nichol
PDF ReportOur Finland and Norway Tour was a wonderful success with most of our target species not just seen, but seen well. It was apparently a bad Vole year which meant that owls were also in short supply -
2024 [06 June] - Carles Oliver
ReportOne of the most noticeable things during the trip was the almost total absence of Crossbills, with extremely few contacts and only a couple of proper sights. Parrot Crossbills seemed disappeared, with no records at all in the area. We got excellent views on all the Grouses during the trip, plus 5 species of Owls despite the low density of them both around Oulu and in Varanger. -
2024 [06 June] - Dominic Rollinson
PDF ReportWith this trip taking place in early summer, it meant that we had 24 hours of daylight, and so, if we had the energy, we were able to bird late into the evening. -
2024 [06 June] - Paul Varney
PDF ReportFinland and Norway is a wonderful place to visit. The land of the midnight sun, we headed to more than 70° north to the very extreme top of Norway crossing into the Arctic Circle where the sun never sets and the birds many of us are familiar with in winter adorn bright spangly summer plumage and frolic and dance to attract a mate...
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Birds of Inari Lapland
WebsiteChecklist of the Inari Lapland bird species - Written by Heikki Karhu, Olli Osmonen and Olli Karhu -
Tarsiger
WebsiteFrom Finland's most popular birding site, Tarsiger.com, you will find tens of thousands of bird pictures from more than 4300 species around the globe and more will come all the time. Images can be searched by search engine based on different criteria. In addition, we offer the latest rarity observations in Finland and WP, and older search results can also be obtained through a search engine.
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Tom Nordblad - Finnish Birding
BLOGWelcome to follow my occasional birding in Finland and other countries around the Western Palearctic. Helsinki, FinlandBirdwatcher and twitcher from Finland. This blog tells about my birding activities. As you can see, my photos are not spectacular or amazing. Nevertheless, please do not copy my pictures without permission. Hope you enjoy!
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Bird Photography with Finnature
GalleryFinnature Ltd is a ground tour operator specialized in wildlife- and birdwatching tours and wildlife photography. Finnature's company philosophy is to raise public perception of the value of Finland's natural environments and to help preserve them for future generations. Finnature's tours offer clients opportunities to enjoy the wonders of nature under expert guidance -
Gallery - Pictures of Finnish Birds
GalleryTop quality images from Markus Varesvuo, Tomi Muukkonen, Jari Peltom -
Photographer - Antti Below
GalleryI mostly show my bird pictures on my website, but other nature photographs are also available. There are about 4100 bird specimens on more than 500 species. The bird pictures pages can be found among others. the entire nesting species of Finland and a wide selection of Western Palearctic species. Tap the pictures below or the texts on the left to get to know the bible images. -
Photographer - Arto Juvonen
Facebook PageSome excellent images from this Finnish photographer… -
Photographer - Harri Vainola
GalleryBird photographs and essays, portraying birds as individual beings -
Photographer - Jukka Könönen
GalleryBird Pictures from Finland and Estonia / Birdphotos from Finland and Estonia / © Jukka Könönen -
Photographer - Vesa Huttunen
GalleryWelcome. BIRDS.FI is a site dedicated to high quality bird and wildlife imagery. The first version was released in 2003 and on the current platform it has been running since 2006. Most of the photos are from Viikki-Vanhankaupunginlahti, Uutela and Kallahdenniemi in Eastern Helsinki. There are also few pictures from elsewhere in Helsinki, Finnish Lake Region, Lapland and the Mediterranean area. The home page shows variable weekly or monthly pictures and the photos page contains the best hits of the current year and the archive folders. All images are copyrighted and unauthorized access is prohibited. Have a nice moments with BIRDS.FI pictures.