FINLAND & ARCTIC NORWAY Boreal and Arctic Birding at its best!

.The wild and unspoilt countryside of Finland and Norway are home to some of Europe’s rarest birds, and if you have ever dreamed of seeing the northern specialities then this tour is a must. We begin at the "owl mecca" of Oulu, which 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. Moving on to Kuusamo and the vast taiga forests of central Finland we have further chances of finding owls, as well as other sought-after specialities which are easier to find here than anywhere else in Europe such as Hazel Grouse, Capercaillie, Three-toed Woodpecker, Siberian Jay, Siberian Tit, Pine Grosbeak, Northern Red-flanked Bluetail, and both Little and Rustic Buntings. Then we head north into the Arctic Circle and 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 and Red-necked Phalarope, and we can always hope for a Snowy Owl or Gyr Falcon. The towering sea cliffs of Hornoya Island are home to numerous seabirds including the sublime Brünnich’s Guillemot, while the rocky coast and Barent’s Sea play host to White-billed Diver, King and Steller’s Eiders, Long-tailed Skua and huge White-tailed Eagles. With our expert local guide we will be in safe hands as we visit secret sites well off the beaten track in search of some of the Western Palearctic's most-wanted species.