The Spring is here

 The first spring month, March, was exceptionally cold this year, it felt like a winter. Very few birds arrived during March; mainly some Goosanders (Mergus merganser), Common Goldeneyes (Bucephala clangula) and Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus). But finally in the end of March, the weather changed and the spring rolled in to the north.

The rush of birds was great it continues still. Lots of species have arrived during last few days and they are rather easy to find as they concentrate in few places where the snow has already melted away. Skylarks (Alauda arvensis), Chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs), Bramblings (Fringilla montifringilla), Common Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), Reed Buntings (Emberiza schoeniclus), European Robins (Erithacus rubecula), Meadow Pipits (Anthus pratensis) and many other passerines can be found in the fields. Bigger birds have arrived as well; Northern Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus), Wood Pigeons (Columba palumbus), Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), Common Buzzards (Buteo buteo), Rough-legged Buzzards (Buteo lagopus), Common Cranes (Grus grus), Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus), Grey-lag Goose (Anser anser) and Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) can all be found now. And from now on, new species will arrive every day.

During last days I have found with my younger son Roni also some interesting species; an adult Western Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii / intermedius) was in  Viiala in the evening of 31st of March and today we found a Woodlark (Lullula arborea) from Metsäkansa. The Western Lesser Black-backed Gulls are rare in Finland and Woodlark is uncommon in this part of Pirkanmaa county. Oh, and few weeks ago we saw also 4 White-tailed Eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Lempäälä.

Snow is melting now very fast, daytime temperature has been +10 degrees Celcius and next two days we should get lots of rain... that means flooding, and as you can see from the photo below, much more water is not needed now...