Before the storm

It was still autumn. Sure, there were fewer golden leaves on the trees, and it was getting colder, but nothing announced the forthcoming storm. I was out, looking for the elusive Siberian accentor (Prunella montanella), first in Vuosaari, then in Myyrmäki. I followed tenuous paths, wandered through secret places, and ultimately found the bird. Oh it was a short sighting, and most of the time I only saw its rufous back, when it fled my approach from one bush to the other. But still, from the distance I saw this wonderful yellow face, and that made my day.

Below are some pictures from these glorious days in Helsinki, in Keskuspuisto, Vuosaari and Honkasuo. I admired the squirrels, in their grey winter coat, cautiously coming near the feeders, or the thrushes, Fieldfares (Turdus pilaris) and Redwings (Turdus iliacus) alike, feasting on rowan berries, like the Bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) before them.

Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)

Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris)

Redwing (Turdus iliacus)

I saw stunning colors at sunrise (in Vuosaari) and at sunset (in Malminkartanonhuippu), and some twigs in flames.

Good days.

Common redpoll (Acanthis flammea)

Common redpoll

Red squirrel

Great tit (Parus major)

Common blackbird (Turdus merula)

And something that will make my French readers smile…

Next time: the storm!

Bird inventory