Rare shrike draws hundreds of birdwatchers to Finnish cemetery

A rare white-fronted shrike has drawn hundreds of birdwatchers to the cemetery beside Virolahti church in Finland’s Kymenlaakso region, Yle reported. Some visitors have even spent the night in the church car park to see the bird.

The bird was first spotted at the cemetery on August 14. Finland’s previous and, until last summer, only recorded sighting was on Åland 44 years ago.

Virolahti parish caretaker Tuire Pulkkinen said hundreds of people had visited the cemetery during the summer. Birdwatchers regularly asked at the start of her workday whether the bird had been seen.

One visitor came directly from an airport abroad and waited a long time before eventually finding the bird. The visitors have also shown interest in the church building and asked about its age.

The birdwatchers have not disrupted the parish’s normal activities. When funeral services have been taking place, Pulkkinen has told them that the funeral party was coming to collect the coffin. The visitors then moved away and returned when the church bells began ringing.

The church grounds have remained clean, and some visitors have voluntarily offered to pay for using the toilets.

The most recent observation was made on Thursday, according to Eetu Paljakka, a member and secretary of the observation committee of the Kymenlaakso Ornithological Society. The bird was already undergoing a heavy moult when it was discovered, suggesting that it may have been in the area for several weeks before being noticed.

The species’ nearest breeding grounds are in Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece, making the sighting rare even internationally.

Birdwatchers ringed and examined the bird on Tuesday. Paljakka said it appeared to be in good physical condition, weighed a few grams more than individuals of the species normally do and had completed enough of its moult to be ready to migrate.

Paljakka expects the bird to leave Finland no later than the start of overnight frosts. It can remain in the country for now, while its close relative, the lesser shrike, has already begun its autumn migration.

In early September, the Birdwatchers’ Association gave Virolahti church a painting depicting the shrike as thanks for the parish’s cooperation. The painting is displayed in the church entrance.

Pulkkinen said the rare bird would be welcome at the church again next year, as would other rare birds. She added that the cemetery workers had not been disturbed by it and that the bird had probably become accustomed to the sound of the church bells.