Boreal Bird & Wildlife Photographing

Do you long for the peace and quiet of the far north and at the same time want to see and experience the fascinating wildlife of Finland with your own eyes? Then this photography tour is a great choice. Discover many different species of birds and other wildlife such as brown bears, wolverines or wolves and capture great pictures of the animals with your photo camera from a safe distance. We take photographs of birds and wildlife from wilderness trails, bird watching towers and hides built for professional photographers. If you wish, you can also hire a floating hide for bird photography. The bear and eagle hideaways are solid wooden hides with photographing tables to which you can attach your ball head or gimbal. In addition, local guides will show you the best of nature in this part of Finland on our walks along pristine lakes, forests and wetlands.

Boreal Bird & Wildlife Photographing: Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival
You will be picked up from Oulu airport for the transport to Pudasjärvi and the Taigalampi cabin. Here, you will receive some information and maps and have dinner together with the group. Afterwards, we take a relaxed walk along a nature trail. You can hike on the Pytkynharju esker and admire the northern scenery. You can also seek out wild birds during the hike. The length of the one-way trail is four kilometers to the wooden shelter and four kilometers back. Today’s target species are goldeneye, red crossbill, redwing, and common redstart. A relaxing hot sauna, shower and dinner are available after a long traveling day.

Day 2: Bird watching in Syöte National Park
After a tasty breakfast, we start our guided birdwatching excursion with a local guide in the Olvassuo wilderness area. In this region, you will find a great variety of water birds and other birds species. We will have lunch in a hut in the woods. In the evening, we will visit the Syöte National Park Visitor Centre. Target species today are hen harrier, common crane and whooper swan. Dinner and shower in the cabin. Sauna is available.

Day 3: Hiking along lakes
After breakfast in the cabin, we drive for approximately 30 kilometers to the bird watching tower and a hiking trail to Sarakylä village. Lake Juutislampi is classified as a nationally valuable bird lake in the area. 20-25 typical water bird species nest in the area every year. We will have lunch by the open fire in a wooden shelter on the trail.

The most valuable nesting waterfowl species are the tufted duck, northern lapwing, goldeneye, smew and red-necked grebe. There are also about ten species of waders in the area. However, the most exciting species are jacksnipe, the common ringed plover, and the spotted redshank. Afterwards, we will transport you back to Syöte National Park and your cabin. Dinner, shower, and sauna available.

Day 4: On the bird tower
After an early breakfast, it’s time for a guided bird tower excursion with a local guide to Taivalkoski village. The bird towers are located by nice wetlands and ponds in remote areas where you can spot water birds, and if you are lucky, some vultures.

The nesting birds at the Latva-Juurikka and Tyrälampi lakes comprise of at least 30 wetland species. The most common nesting waterfowls are tufted duck, teal, and goldeneye. During the breeding season, birds of prey observed in Latva-Juurikka include, for example, the rough-legged buzzard, hen harrier, Merlin, and occasionally sea eagle and Eurasian marsh harrier. Afterwards, we will transport you back to Syöte National Park and your cabin. Dinner, shower and sauna available.

Day 5: Birds and bears
After an early breakfast we are off to a guided bear, wolf, and bird watching excursion with a local guide in the Elimyssalo wilderness area near the Russian border. You will first visit a bird tower in the Suomussalmi region. Then, we will make our way to Kuikka Camp, where the bear watching happens. The bird tower is located within a nice wetland and lake area where you can spot water birds and if you are lucky, some vultures. The nesting birds at Joutenlampi lake include at least 15 wetland species.

In the evening, we will make our way to a bear watching hide. From the safe log cabin hide, you can watch and photograph brown bears with possibilities to also spot birds like sea eagle, crow, raven, and the lesser black-backed gull. After the bear hide evening, we will enjoy some local food delicacies! Accommodation in Kuikka Camp in Kuhmo (driving distance approximately 300 kilometres from Pudasjärvi to Kuhmo with the visit at the bird tower).

Day 6: Chance to spot bears, wolverines and wolves
After a tasty local breakfast in the morning, you can take some photographs of birds in the camp yard and around it. Target species today include the great tit, blackbird, swan, crane, great spotted woodpecker and bean goose. Today, we will have accommodation and dinner in a camp log house. After dinner, we prepare a snack with hot drinks and take a short transport to the predator hides. Accommodation in the hide. Target species here are wolf, wolverine, brown bear, and sea eagle. There is a toilet and bed in the hide.

Day 7: Watching migratory birds in Liminganlahti Bay
Beautiful morning light is available from the hide! Transport back to Camp Kuikka. After a tasty and nutritious breakfast, the transfer by car will take you to Liminka Bay near Oulu Airport. On the way to Liminka, we will stop for lunch. Liminka Bay is an internationally significant resting and nesting site for migratory birds. In addition, the area is a meeting place for many northern and southern bird and plant species. More than 160 bird species nest in the Liminka Bay area, and over the course of a year, more than 200 species are sighted in the area. Amongst the important nesting species are the greylag goose, the black-tailed godwit, and the Western marsh harrier. Amongst the most visible migratory birds are the whooper swan, the bean goose, the common crane, and the ruff. Tonight, our dinner will take place in the Liminganlahti visitor center and accommodation will be at a hotel in the Liminganlahti Bay area.

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, our trip ends with many beautiful photo memories of the wonderful nature and wildlife that we have seen. The included transport takes you back to Oulu airport.

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