To see the birding sites of Kuusamo on a map, please click the attached thumbnail. Please be patient, the image-file is quite big.

Some hints to birding sites

This is a short guide to some of the best sites in Kuusamo. The site descriptions include some of the most interesting species. I hope these tips are helpful in introducing the interesting avifauna of Kuu-samo.

The Irni and Kero region

These represent some of the best sites in southern Kuusamo. Corncrake and Pallas's Sandgrouse have been recorded and there are breeding records of Temminck's Stint. There are several good observation sites, eg Heikkisenneva, the pond Heikkisenlampi and the bridge of Vuonnala, which is a good wader site particularly during migration (eg. Redshank, Knot and Curlew Sandpiper). There are arctic wildfowl at the lakes of Irni and Kero in spring and early summer.

Valtavaara - Konttainen

The legendary Red-flanked Bluetail sites, which also feature many other old forest species, including Greenish Warbler, Wood Warbler, Pine Grosbeak, Two-barred Crossbill, Black Woodpecker as possibles and Wren, Goldcrest, Siberian Jay and Dunnock as probables. also: Arctic Warbler, Capercallie, Hazelhen, Three-toed Woodpecker and Parrot Crossbill.

Oulanka

Kiutaköngäs is the best site for Grey Wagtail. There are several coniferious forest species in the area such as Golden Eagle, Three-toed Woodpecker, Merlin, Crested Tit, Treecreeper and Siberian Tit, with Dipper inhabiting the river valley. The Woodcock is comparatively common in the green valleys of Oulanka. All the three Crossbill species are possible in Oulanka region.

Torankijärvi

The best lake in central Kuusamo with the only Great Crested Grebes in the area. Other possibilities are Coot, Shoveller and Garganey, and arctic wildfowl in early summer. Other wildfowl are ocassionally seen. Several pairs of Little Bunting sing most years in the willows near the shore. Arctic Warbler is almost annual. There are two observation towers, one at the south-eastern end and the other at the north-western end of the lake.

Ahvenlahti

This pond is one of the best of the birding lakes in Kuusamo. Temminck’s Stint, Grey Plover, Jack Snipe and
Broad-billed Sandpiper are seen here. Steller’s Eider, Marsh Sandpiper and Little Stint have also been recorded. The value of the site has perhaps gone down slightly in recent years.

Antinperä

There is a observation tower at this site. E.g Temminck's Stint, Jack Snipe and many other wader species have been recorded. Bean Goose, Crane and Whooper Swan are regularly seen.

Helilampi

A pond which has been eutrophied by the waste water, situated by the main road no 5 north of Kuusamo centrum. Sometimes more demanding wildfowl are seen such as Gadwall (some breeding records), Shoveller, Garganey and Pochard. The first Finnish Wilson’s Phalarope was seen here and it is a good site for Red-necked Phalaropes during migration.

Määttälänvaara ja Vuotunki

The best and most extensive fields in Kuusamo can be found in this area. The largest geese flocks, often including Pink-footed and White-fronted Geese, usually roost at this site. Skylark, Starling, Ortolan Bunting, which are rare in Kuusamo, are possible here as are other rural species. In some summers certain rare warblers are seen here. There is an observation tower at the shore of Vuotunkijärvi
Yellow-breasted Bunting, Quail have been observed in Vuotunki region.

Kuratti

A natural pond, very valuable to waders as a breeding site. In early summer late migrators such as Stints, Phalaropes, Velvet Scoter, Common Scoter and Long-tailed Ducks can be found here. Bar-tailed Godwit and Greylag have been recorded.

Kiurusuo

Cranes breed yearly in this largish wet bog Canada Geese have been recorded. Good place for ma-ny waders

Kirkonkylä - Kuusamo Centrum

You can find Feral Pigeons only in the centre of Kuusamo. Blue Tit and House Sparrow are common there. Hawfinches and Jackdaws are sometimes recorded and it is possible to see Black Kites, Great Black-backed Gulls and Siberian Gulls (Larus fuscus heuglini) at the rubbish tip.