Bird Trips

  
Photos: Pirkka Aalto

One of the first signs of spring in Enontekiö is the increasing occurrences of greenfinch in built-up areas and the arrival of the pine grosbeak in the forests. Gradually we start to spot more tits, crows, redpolls and bullfinches. The official spring opening, however, is evident with the occurrences of the first snow buntings by roads and in gardens, and the first thawed waters welcome swans, mallards and goldeneyes.

The first thawing water regions favoured by birds in the spring include, for instance Vajemuotka located in between lakes Muotkajärvi and Ounasjärvi, as well as Joentekiäinen located in front of the Yrjö Kokko Bird Tower. The riverside areas of the Peltovuoma village, as well as Vähäniva and Markkinan Mannakoski between the Palojoki River mouth and Kuttanen are also good places to spot birds in early spring. You can also try and spot the first migratory birds of spring at the Hetta landfill site, where already as early as April you can, for instance, spot jackdaws, rooks and starlings among the ravens, crows and magpies.

Once the Sotkajärvi Lake thaws, the Sotkajärvi Bird Tower is often the best place in the region to spot birds. A little way from Sotkajärvi in the direction of Hetta is the Porokotajärvi Lake, which is also well worth the visit, especially during years when the water level of the regulated lake is low. Other bird lakes worth experiencing and easy to reach include, e.g.   Vuontisjärvi, Peltovuoma’s Angelijärvi and Ylikyrö’s Vuontisjärvi.

In particular, during the summer interesting bird observations may be made just about anywhere. Indeed the bird populations of Enontekiö is very versatile, including northern and southern species. The bird populations of the wetlands, forests and waterways are plentiful and well worth exploring. Fell birds such as the rock ptarmigan, dotterel, long-tailed skua and Lapland bunting can be found from the Pyhäkero Fell just south of Hetta, and for instance the Vuontiskero and Lumikero fells, or the Saana Fell surroundings in Kilpisjärvi are good spots for fell bird watchers that don’t have to much time to wait around. The best way to explore the wetland bird populations is for instance with the Pippovuoma nature trail, or the Jietajänkä wetland located between Kaaresuvanto and Markkina, i.e. by watching from the Markkinajänkä parking place. Good spots for wading birds with spotted redshank, jack snipe and red-necked phalarope can be found from e.g. Saaravuoma in between Peltovuoma and Lake Vuontisjärvi, and Suinavuoma east of Nunnanen.  The most handsome old birch forests can be found in the southern sections of our area, such as Ylikyrö at Lake Vuontisjärvi, where the spruce stand hillside favoured by e.g. the goldcrest, common treecreeper and wren can be found along the trail running from Vuontispirtti to the Montell Cabin. Naturally the best way to explore the wilderness countryside is with longer treks to, for instance,  Pallas-Ounas, Halti district or even the Lake Pöyrisjärvi wilderness region. The Enontekiö Species List lists 227 bird species found in the region.

Also during the autumn the Sotkajärvi Lake has plenty of species to spot as long as the lake remains unfrozen. When the water level is low, the Arctic waders may be sought from the shore drifts of Lake Porokotajärvi. As the first freezing temperatures set in, trips in late autumn should be planned to places that are not frozen, such as Lake Ounasjärvi and Lake Kilpisjärvi, or e.g. Yrjö Kokko bird tower and the thawed areas of Könkämäeno-Muonionjoki River.

As the first snowfall arrives and the last lakes freeze over, birds are normally seen in feeding places of built-up areas. The few places in the region that remain unfrozen, such as the Periläkoski rapid water section of the river between Lake Ounasjärvi and Periläjärvi, and the River Palojoki along the Näkkälä road are worth checking now and then, as the overwintering dipper and mallard, and other surprise occurrences may be spotted.  Berry eating birds may normally be seen where there are mountain ash trees and rowan berries. You will find berry-eating birds in, for instance, the centre of Hetta in the Aitta and Municipal Office environs. Despite the long twilight period, the Enontekiö Wintertime Bird Population is very diverse.