Main target is still to find the Norwegian Rat, which I did not find in January... Secondary targets are Mountain Hare, Eurasian Lynx, Red Fox and Raccoon Dog. Oh, and also hibernating Northern Bat. Hmm, maybe some surprise species in addition to those...

I did a birding trip by mountain bike today, temperature about -1° C, calm and only some clouds, very nice winter weather. Mammals in mind too, naturally, but not very seriously in a bright, sunny, winter day. Two Eurasian Red Squirrels were on my feeding place and I thought it would be the only mammal observation today. My destination was a feeding place of my friend in lake shore, with a hide to photograph birds. I sat down in hide, took some photos of birds when I noticed something moving under the feeders in ground. Some rodent, but what? I changed my camera to my binos and got the ID: Eurasian Harvest Mouse, almost exactly in same spot as a year ago. Have to come back later this winter and try to get a decent photo of it.

12 days left of January. Main target is to see the Norwegian Rat, which should be easy anywhere in this planet. But not here where I live... it's population is very small in Valkeakoski, only solitary rats around the town and they don't come out until very late night or extremely early morning. So, I will wake up some morning really early, maybe 4 am and go to chase them...

Secondary targets are Eurasian Lynx, Red Fox and Raccoon Dog. Oh, and also hibernating Northern Bat, if I have time.