Saturday 24th May – Monday 2nd June 2008

These wild and unspoilt countries are home to some of Europe’s most sought after birds, and if you have ever dreamed of seeing the northern specialities then this tour is a must.

We begin north of the Arctic Circle in Lapland, before moving on to the great wilderness of the Varanger peninsula, where the landscape of barren treeless tundra echoes to the sound of breeding waders, and where spectacular mountain peaks, steep fjord bottoms and glaciers can provide us with White-tailed Eagle, Ptarmigan, Dotterel, Red-necked Phalarope and maybe a Snowy Owl. The towering sea cliffs are home to numerous seabirds including Brunnich’s Guillemot and quite often the spectacular Gyr Falcon, while the rocky coast and Barent’s Sea play host to White-billed Diver, King and Steller’s Eider, Long-tailed Skua and huge White-tailed Eagles. Moving south to Kuusamo the huge forests are home to Hazel Grouse, Capercaillie, Three-toed Woodpecker, Siberian Jay, Siberian Tit, Pine Grosbeak, Red-flanked Bluetail, Arctic Warbler, and both Little and Rustic Buntings. But the area around Oulu is home to arguably the most sought-after species, with the magnificent Great Grey, Ural, Hawk, Eagle, Tengmalm’s and Pygmy Owls all exceedingly possible.
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