<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Lancaster and District Birdwatching Society Newsletter
Newsletter of the Lancaster and District Birdwatching Society
Finland late April 2002   (LDBWS Members only)
Summer 2001
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The outline has already been set up for a trip to Finland in the last week of April 2002 guided by Dick Forsman and utilising the many contacts that Dick has throughout the country.  The exact dates are not quite finalised yet but will be known approximately five months before departure.   There are limited places available and already some people have shown interest.  Therefore you may need to show an interest fairly quickly.  No deposits or any 'obligatory' commitment is required at this stage but obviously it will be first come first served and a deposit will be required by late autumn.

I had an opportunity to go there in late April 2001 and can make the following comments:

1)      Suitable for people wanting to take their time in non-arduous terrain (the birds were all fairly close with the exception of a nesting Grey-headed Woodpecker)

2)      Species seen included:   Hawk Owl, Ural Owl, Pygmy Owl. Tengmalm's Owl, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Nutcracker, Hazel Grouse (Hen),  Siberian Tit, Siberian Jay, Pine Grosbeak (very difficult if not impossible later in the spring) then the best of the lot,  Heuglins and Baltic Gulls .   Next best: rogue Capercaillie, Rough-legged Buzzard, Caspian Tern and huge numbers of migrating Black-throated Divers

3)      Leadership was excellent.  The pace was excellent and I can assure any readers that there will be plenty of time to study all the specialities, providing they behave themselves.  It will not be a 'tick and run' trip

4)      Initially open to LDBWS members (& partners, if not a member) ONLY.

5)      Cost.  I see no reason at present for it to be more than £630*, allowing for at least 8 people on the trip.  This will not include lunch & evening meals where the choice is yours as to how much you want to spend, or travel to and from Stanstead   In this respect, the cost of living (i.e. eat-out food) was pretty similar to the UK and much cheaper than Sweden and Norway.

6)      Accommodation in 2001 was a mixture of en suite and chalet - all clean and upmarket and in beautiful settings.   A s.r.s. will apply in any hotels used 

Please contact Pete Marsh at:    pete@pbmarsh.prestel.co.uik

01524/66775 (answerphone message)
07989866487  (mobile - no messages on here, please)

*   Note change from Newsletter = related to extra night/day as well as allowing for the highest  theoretical cost of flight

** This trip is "full" in the sense that enough people have expressed interest with varying degrees of "committment".  There is a single vacancy retained at this stage for a LADY willing to share with another lady to avoid s.r.s. (and assist general logistics).  However, several have not committed themselves so the waiting list could be fruitful.

Dates are either going to be Monday 22nd to Monday 29th or Tuesday 23rd to Tuesday 30th  

(April 2002)




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