Scarce/intresting birds in Kuusamo

The following list includes the distribution of scarce species in Kuusamo.

The listed sites are only intended as a hint to sites, where the species are worth searching for. There are of course no certain sites for the rare species. This list is made for the participants of Annual Birdrace.

Red-throated Diver (Gavia stellata)
Almost disappeared from the area. Can be found fishing in the larger lakes (Kuusamojärvi 8, Kitkajärvi 9 and Kerojärvi 14). Most of the records are usually from around May 20 - June 10.

Great Northern Diver (Gavia immer)
Only one record

Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps griseigena)
Common breeder

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus rufisollis)
Very rare

Slavonian Grebe (Podiceps auritus)
Recorded occasionally, but hasn't become regular yet. Two known breeding records.

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Is recorded regularly on migration to the White Sea/Arctic Sea in spring and autumn. Later in spring or early summer there are sometimes roosting birds at the lakes (sites 1, 8 and 9).

Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Only one record

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
There are only 15 records from Kuusamo. The species seems to be surprisingly rare in these parts, although perhaps increasing in recent years.

White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) and Bittern (Botaurus stellaris)
There are only few records of both species.

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) and Bewick's Swan (Cygnus columbianus)
Only two records of Mute Swan from Kuusamo. Both records are from 1991, one from May, the other from June. Also two records of Bewick's Swan.

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
Occasional in spring and autumn, sometimes even in small flocks.

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) and Brent Goose (Branta bernicla)
Sometimes seen on passage to the Arctic Sea. Barnacle Goose is more common than Brent and is sometimes seen in the company of Bean Geese.

Taiga Bean Goose (Anser fabalis)
Migrating from April to May common. And in September.

White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons), Greylag (Anser anser) and Pink-footed Goose (Branta brachyrhynchos)
Seen occasionally, but almost yearly on migration in company of Bean Goose (site 13 and 15).

Lesser white-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus)
Very rare, last record 1986.

Snow Goose
Very rare

Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)
Rare

Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea)
Very rare

Gadwall (Anas strepera)
Some breeding records, from e.g. Helilampi (4) . Single records almost yearly.

Garganey (Anas querguedula) and Shoveller (Anas clypeata)
Only in the best waters. The yearly numbers vary a great deal. Try sites 1 and 4. Shoveller is the more common of the two. It arrives around May 9th, while Garganeys usually only appear after mid May.

Mandarine Duck (Aix galericulata)
Only one record

Pochard (Aythya ferina)
Occasional records, not annual. Most records are from Torankijärvi (1) and Helilampi (4). The first spring records are from mid May.

Steller´s Eider (Polysticta steller)
Very rare

Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) and Scaup (Aythya marila)
The spring migration continues until late June and often a bird or two over-summer in Kuusamo. The median arrival date of Long-tailed Duck is May 21st. Both are seen rather regularly in autumn also, Long-tailed Ducks at eg Kitka (9) in flocks of several hundreds as the first snow has arrived in the north.

Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) and Common Scoter (Melanitta nigra)
The small breeding population of Velvet Scoter is concentrated to north Kuusamo. The breeding population of Common Scoter has decreased to almost nil. Good sites are Juhtilampi (11) and Kuratti (15). Non-breeders can also be encountered in summer. The first Velvet Scoters arrive around May 26th and the Black Scoters in mid May. During migration they can be found at eg Torankijärvi (1) and Kitkajärvi (9).

Smew (Mergus albellus)
Kuusamo is one of the strongholds for this species. The population seems to be increasing and today the species also breeds at barren lakes if suitable nest boxes are available. An almost certain site is Torankijärvi (1) and Kuusamojärvi (8), where non-breeders can also be seen in spring. The first birds arrive in early May.

Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus)
The spcies is at its northern limit in Kuusamo. The population is concentrated to the south-eastern part of Kuusamo, but there are records from the northern parts, eg from Oulanka (12). There are no passage records.

Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
In the middle of this century there were probably several breeding pairs in Kuusamo. Nowadays there are occasional records. In 1991 and 1993 birds which spent the summer at the dump area were seen in the birdrace. There should be suitable breeding habitat for the species in the forests and lake districts. Recent years annual near the Russian border.

White-tailed Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)
Birds on passage to the White Sea are seen in spring. As the population increased in Finland, the first breeding record occured in Kuusamo in 1996. Stragglers or birds possibly breeding on the Russian side are also seen in eastern Kuusamo. Estimation of the breeding pairs nowadays more than 5, perhaps 10.

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaëtos)
The breeding population varies between 5-10 pairs. The decrease in size of the wilderness areas leads to disturbance at the breeding sites. Active disturbance has not really been observed, although many of the nests are generally known. The species has shown itself to be adaptable in accepting artificial nest sites and the spring traffic of snow mobiles does not seem to disturb all pairs. The immatures wander around, some move further south and return in spring. In summer 1999 we intend to attach satellite transmitters to the young eagles born in Kuusamo, to acquire a better picture of the movements of immature Golden Eagles. Oulanka (12) is a good area.

Imperial (A. Heliaca) and Steppe Eagle (A. nipalensis)
Imperial Eagle two recirds and Steppe Eagle one record.

Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus)
On migration April-May and September-October. Some years when the level of voles is high breeds also numerous in Kuusamo

Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
A scarce breeding bird. The population fluctuates with the rodent populations, but is small even in good years. Hunts over fields in reserve, marshes and shores. The first arrive around May 1st.

Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus)
Very rare

Merlin (Falco columbarius)
Uncommon breeder

Peregrine (Falco peregrinus)
Peregrines are not currently part of the regular avifauna in Kuusamo. The last breeding records are from 1973. Two pairs of the species formerly bred on the steep cliffs of Oulanka. Peregrines are nowadays recorded occasionally. The nearest breeding pairs occur in Salla, Which is close Oulanka (12).

Hobby (Falco subbuteo)
There is only a small breeding population, therefore this flight specialist is seldom seen in the Kuusamo skies.

Osprey (Pandion haliaeetus)
Common May-September. More than 50 breeding pairs

Quail (Conturnix conturnix)
Rare. Few calling males in June-July

Moorhen (Callinula chloropus), Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana) and Coot (Fulica atra)
All three are occasional: there are 7 records of Spotted Crake, 4 of Moorhen (the last from spring 1998), while Coot is the most common, almost yearly. The best site for Coots is Torankijärvi (1).

Water Rail and Little Crake
Extremely rare

Crane (Grus grus)
Common breeder (100-200 pairs). In September possible to see more than 100 birds in one flock in eastern Kuusamo on the ryefields.

Oyster-catcher (Haematopus ostralegus), Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) and Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
All three are occasionally recorded on passage (May-June).

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax)
Common breeder

Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus)
The mysterious knocking display can be heard at the larger wet bogs (3 and 5). The species is difficult to find after the displaying ceases due to difficulties in accessing the breeding sites and the secretive behaviour. The first arrive around May 18th. The earliest record is from 6th May.

Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola)
A Uncommon breeding bird, with regular territories in the Oulanka river valley (12) and Määttälänvaara (13). Has become more common in recent years. Few spring records, the earliest records in April. Sometimes (un)common in October

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)
Very rare. Three records (May-June)

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)
A scarce passage bird in spring and autumn.

Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis)
Three records in the Birdrace (1987, 1991 and 1993) in mid June.

Terek Sandpiper (Xenus Cinerea)
Very rare.

Redshank (Tringa totanus)
Annual. No breeding records so far.

Little Stint (Calidris minuta) and Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
Seen yearly on passage at eg Ahvenlahti (3) and Helilampi (4).

Temminck's Stint (Calidris temminckii)
There has been a small but growing breeding population of a few pairs for some time in Kuusamo. In recent years the records during the breeding season have increased. Seen on passage in early summer ( e.g. sites 3 and 15).

Broad-billed Sandpiper (Limicola falcinellus)
Breeds on almost all wet marshes. Easy to observe when displaying, but can be difficult to find later in the summer when they hide in the boggy marsh. Seen in spring on passage on mudflats (site 3) together with stints. The first arrive around May 26th. The earlieast record is from May 10th.

Wilson´n Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor)
One record in May 1973 (site 3)

Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus)
Uncommon breeder. Some years common on migration late May and late July.

Pomarine Skua (Stercorarius pomarinus)
Very rare on migration in May-June.

Artic Skua (Stercorarius parasiticus)
Uncommon on migration (May-June) e.g Kitkajärvi (9).

Longtailed-Skua (Stercorarius longicaudatus)
Annual on migration.

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus)
Annual at the dumb area and Torankijärvi (1) from April to June.

Siberian Gull (Larus fuscus heuglini)
Annually seen at the dump area near Kuusamo centrum from May to July.

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)
The records from eg the lakes in Kuusamo have increased in recent years. A pair or two may breed.

Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)
A few records from last decade from lakes Kuusamojärvi (8) and Torankijärvi (1).

Little Tern (Sterna albifrons)
One record 29.5-1.6.1979 (not reported to Rarity Committee)

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne tschegrava)
One record summer 2003 Juumajärvi.

Puffin (Fratercula arctica) and Little Auk (Alle alle)
Few old winterrecords. One Puffin was found in the middle of the Kuusamo "swimming" in snow in January 2004.

Pallas´s Sandgrouse (Syrrhaptes Paradoxus)
One amazing record 10.6.1992. A lucky Birdrace team saw migrating bird flying to west.

Stock Dove (Columba oenas), Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) and Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur)
All three species are recorded occasionally as visitors from the south.

Ural Owl (Strix uralensis), Long-eared Owl (Asio otus), Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) and Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca)
Occasionally recorded. Long-eared and Ural Owls may possibly breed in small numbers in some years.

Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo)
25-30 breeding pairs. Very difficult to find.

Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum)
A rare breeding bird in old spruce forests. Difficult to find especially in summer. Try sites 2 and 12. Uncommon in winter near the bird feeders all over the Kuusamo.

Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa)
An interesting species, recorded yearly, but probably does not breed annually. Breeds in old twig nests and "chimney" stubs. In good years there can be more breeders. Some winters (Feb-April) many GGOs seen on the fields hunting voles.

Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula)
Scarce or almost missing in bad rodent years. In good years sometimes even a common breeder. Usually easy to find, as it moves at daytime even during summer and sits openly.

Tengmalm´s Owl (Aegolius funereus)
Common resident, but very difficult to find.

Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)
There are three records, one of which concerned a breeding at Iivaara. Our light nights are unsuitable for this night hunter. The last record is from summer 1998.

Hoopoe (Upupa epops)
Mainly recorded in autumn. Altogether just over 10 records.

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
Only one record at Kuusinkiriver

Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus maritius)
Common breeder in right habitat.

Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus)
Occasional in autumn. Nowadays every winter 5 -10 records. Only one summer record.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus minor)
The breeding population seems to be nowadays less than 10 pairs. Wandering birds are seen in autumn.

Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus)
Uncommon resident in old forests

Woodlark (Lullula arborea)
There are only four records from Kuusamo.The decrease of the population in the main area has lead to a decreasing number of records.

Skylark (Alauda arvensis)
The population has crashed since the seventies. During the breeding season it is necessary to actually search for them, but it is still a scarce breeder in the larger field areas (sites 18). Arrives around April 17th.

Crested Lark (Galerida cristata)
Only one record winter 1987/88

Shore Lark (Eremophila alpestris)
Rare on migration (April-May and October)

Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica)
Only one record 17.6. 1994

Rock Pipit (Anthus petrorus)
Rare on migration (April-May)

Red-throated Pipit (Anthus cervinus)
Is mostly recorded on passage in spring, but sometimes also in summer, eg in the birdraces in 1990 and 1991. Has not been recorded breeding however.

Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola)
Only one record

Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)
One of the Kuusamo specialities. In the late eighties and nineties there has again been more records than in previous years. The streams of Kuusamo offer suitable breeding habitat for this demanding species. The most surprising record concerning a strange breeding site was at the Ruka ski-centre in summer 1989. A male spent the same summer at Kiutaköngäs-fall (12) at least until July. In 1987 there was a breeding pair at Jyrävä-fall. The species probably breeds almost yearly in the area of Oulanka and Kitkajoki. The early arrival and the secretive habits during the early stage of the breeding makes it difficult to find.

Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)
Common resident/partly migrator. Some winters in big flocks (up to 1000 birds) in Kuusamo center eating rowenberries.

Dipper (Cinclus cinclus)
A scarce breeder at the streams. The total population is probably fairly large as there are plenty of suitable streams. In winter the largest concentration is at Kiveskoski (40-60). In warm winters it winters at many of the smaller rivers as well. The wintering birds are probably of Norwegian origin, although so far no there are no recoveries of ringed birds.

Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
Prefers to breed on the mountain slopes and by streams where there is enough ground cover. The best sites is Valtavaara (2), where there is usually 3-5 breeding pairs. Also breeds at site 12.

Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia)
The Nightingale song is a rare treat in Kuusamo, as there are only five records.

Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos)
Only one record

Red-spotted Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)
Common breeder

Red-flanked Bluetail (Tarsiger cyanurus)
The most legendary species of Kuusamo. Recorded breeding again in the last years in addition to several singing males. In the eighties there were only a few records of this taiga forest species. In the fifties and seventies there were more records and then also from eastern and central Finland. The best site is Valtavaara-Konttainen (2), but the species can be found on other fells with old growth forest, eg Iivaara (20). Seems to arrive fairly early in mid May, when there is still snow at the breeding sites.

Eastern Stonechat (Saxicola torquata maura)
The birds seen in Kuusamo have been of the eastern race maura, which seems to be spreading westwards. The first two Finnish breeding records were in summer 1992 in Kuusamo, when a single male was also seen. As there are later records as well, the species can be regarded as an occasional breeding bird in Kuusamo.

Desert wheatear (Oenanthe deserti)
One record in October 2003

Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus)
There are scarce/annual spring passage records of this species.

Blackbird (Turdus merula)
Scarce in Kuusamo. There may be a few breeding pairs. There are more spring records, median date 23th April.

Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella naevia) and Icterine Warbler (Hippolais icterina)
A few singers have been recorded.

Blyth's Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum)
First records 1975 and 1979. Decades 1980/1990 more than ten records. Very warm June 1995 were at least 8 singing birds, first came 28.5. The earliest ever 21.5. 1988.

Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris) and Black-cap (Sylvia atricapilla)
The weather during the passage season affects the numbers considerably. In bad years these species are hardly recorded at all, but in good years there are some singing birds.

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca) and Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)
Lesser Whitethroat is a scarce breeding bird, while Whitethroat is rare/uncommon.

Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) and Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
Wood Warbler prefers the spruce forests of the hill slopes, while Chiffchaff breeds in lush spruce forests. The population of especially Wood Warbler varies from almost nil to common, eg in the top year 1989 there were at least tens of pairs breeding in Kuusamo. According to the general trend Chiffchaff has in recent years been almost missing. The top site for both species is Valtavaara (2). Wood Warbler arrive on the last days of May, while Chiffchaff is recorded from the second week of May.

Arctic Warbler (Phylloscopus borealis)
Kuusamo is a good area for Arctic Warbler, although the population fluctuates yearly. The singing period starts immediately after arrival and the non-breeding males may sing until July. Valtavaara (2) is among the best sites. The last species to arrive, in mid June. Median date is 13th, the earliest was on 29.5.1995.

Greenish Warbler (Phylloscopus trochiloides)
Greenish Warbler typically breeds in old spruce and spruce - birch forests. Valtavaara (2) and Iivaara (20) are the best sites for the species, where there usually are several males singing. Arrives before Arctic Warbler, sometimes at the end of May.

Pallas Warbler (Phylloscopus proregulus)
Only one autumnrecord

Yellow-broved Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus)
Only one autumnrecord

Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva)
In some years a Red-breasted Flycatcher sings in the old forests of Kuusamo. The records are mainly from the Oulanka (12) area in June

Siberian Tit (Parus cinctus)
Common resident in Northern Finland

Crested Tit (Parus cristatus)
A scarce breeding species. The population seems to have decreased with the decrease of the old forests and the severe winters. According to old data it was more common than Siberian Tit in the forties and fifties. Try old coniferous forests, eg Oulanka (12).

Coal Tit (Parus ater)
The species rushed into Kuusamo in autumn 1990 and there were several breeding records in the following summer. Previously it was a rarity. In recent years the population has again decreased.

Tree-creeper (Certhia familiaris)
Prefers the same kind of habitat as Crested Tit. The severe winter has restricted the population growth, as this species can hardly survive the most severe winters. Try eg the Oulanka area (12) and Valtavaara (2).

Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)
Rare in June-July

Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)
Uncommon resident, in some autumns invasion

Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)
Are usually only recorded on autumn influxes. A Nuthatch pair stayed on after the autumn 1996 influx to breed in Kuusamo centrum (7).

Red-collared Shrike (Lanius collurio)
A scarce, probably not yearly, breeding bird at this northerly latitude. Usually arrives at the end of May. Records from eg Irni (14).

Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor)
Uncommon from April to October

Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor)
Only one record

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
Does not belong to the regular breeding avifauna. Is occasionally recorded at feeders (7). The records have decreased in recent years. Last record during ten years summer 2003 in Oulanka/Liikasenvaara village.

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
A garden bird of which the numbers have gone down dramatically. There used to be a breeding pair in more or less every garden. Breeding records have been quite rare in recent years. The last known breedings took place at Vuotunki (13). Arrives around April 4th.

Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) and Rook (Corvus frugilegus)
Seen in spring especially when some birds migrate further north than usual. Jackdaw is more commonly seen in summer than Rook.

Siberian Jay (Perisoreus infaustus)
This "shadow of the wanderer" breeds fairly commonly in Kuusamo, usually in old coniferious forests. Silent and descrete during the breeding season, but easier to find once the young are out of the nest. In autumn the Sibe Jays move around some. Strong populations at eg Oulanka (17) and Valtavaara - Konttainen (2).

Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
The scarce breeding population more or less disappears into the spruce forests during the breeding season. In autumn Jays are often seen feeding in the fields. A part of the population may stay to winter around settlements and at feeders.

Nutcracker (Nugifraga caryoocatactes)
Uncommon, some autumns influxes from East. Usually they stay at bird feeders all winter.

Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), Linnet (Carduelis cannabina) and Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)
All three are occasional, not yearly.

Serin (serinus serinus)
Only one record 22.10.1991

Twite (Carduelis flavirostris)
Rare on passage (April and October)

Arctic Redpoll (Carduelis hornemanni)
Yearly at the feeders in winter. In spring (April-May) there are usually tens together with Redpolls in Kuusamo centrum (7).

Scarlet Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus)
Common breeder. The earliest record 17th of May and median 24.5.

Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator)
The southernmost breeding sites of this species are in Kuusamo. Fairly common, but very hiding and secretive, in fact mysterious, during the breeding season. To find it at this time it is necessary to move quietly and persisently at the breeding site. The fearlessness of the parents and the slow feeding rhythm increase the difficulties in finding the birds. Valtavaara (2) is one the best sites to try. It is the first migrant to arrive in Kuusamo, ie. after February 20th. Easiest to record during wintertime in centrum while eating rowanberry.

Two-barred Crossbill (Loxia leucopterus)
Seems to be a regular breeding bird in Kuusamo. Breeds in spruce forests, as its favourite habitat larch forests are not available. As the other crossbills, this species is also capricious in its appearance, but occurs in larger numbers in good spruce seed years. Try eg Valtavaara (2) and Oulanka (12).

Common Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra)
Common breeder. Good place e.g. Oulanka (site 12). Usually seen only overflying flockcs, which sometimes stop for few minutes on the top of threes.

Parrot Crossbill (Loxia pytyopsittacus)
Common breeder and some years more common than Common Crossbill. Behaviour same as other crossbills and many times they fly in mixed flocks all three species.

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) and Lapland Bunting (Calcarius lapponicus)
Both are seen on passage. Although there are summer records of Lapland Bunting there are no known breedings.

Rustic Bunting (Emberiza rustica)
Uncommon breeder. Usually arrives last days of April.The singingperiod is very short and after that it is difficult to find. On autumnmigration some years possible to see in big flocks e.g. 4.9.1973 were 35 birds at the Torankijärvi (site 1)

Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla)
There is a strong breeding population. Breeds on pine and spruce swamps, near rivers and on bushy shore meadows. The population fluctuates yearly. In the best years the song is heard at nearly all potential sites. A late migrant, appearing in late May - early June. The median date is 4th June. A regular sites is Torankijärvi (1) with surroundings.

Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra)
One record 11.5. -30.5.1996

Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana)
The species is a scarce breeder in the larger field areas such as the Määttälänvaara - Vuotunki area (13). Arrvies at the end of May or in early June.

Yellow-breasted Bunting (Emberiza aureola)
Singing males are recorded occasionally. As the species is a long distance migrant from the south-east the weather has a great influence on the occurrence. The decreasing trend in Finland shows also in Kuusamo. Last records in 1986 and 1993.