This cracking tour will take us through Siberian taiga forests of central Finland through to the northern coasts of Norway. We begin our birding in Ivalo, first heading northwards to cross the border into Norway, birding the scenically superb, bird rich Varanger Peninsula. At such a northerly latitude, this really is the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’. Amongst the numerous specialities we can expect to see are such sought-after species as Rock Ptarmigan, Red-throated, Black-throated and Yellow-billed Loons, King Eider, Common Merganser, Glaucous Gull, Common and Brunnich’s Guillemots (Common and Thick-billed Murres), Razorbill, Atlantic Puffin, Bluethroat, Red-throated Pipit, Arctic Redpoll and Lapland Longspur.

Heading back south into Finland, we will visit Kuusamo where we can expect a veritable feast of specialities, including Hazel Grouse, Western Capercaillie, Willow Ptarmigan, Red-necked Grebe, Little Gull, Black and Eurasian Three-toed Woodpeckers, Siberian Jay, Bohemian Waxwing, Siberian Tit (Grey-headed Chickadee), breeding Red-flanked Bluetail, Parrot Crossbill, and Little and Rustic Buntings. Moving on to Oulu, we will search for numerous breeding owls such as Great Grey, Ural, Northern Hawk, Boreal, Eurasian Pygmy and Short-eared Owls. Comfortable accommodation and long summer days, surrounded by spectacular landscapes and birds, ensures that Lapland and the Arctic Circle are one of Europe’s classic birding destinations.