 With the spring, huge amounts of migrating birds have come to Oulu, and the arrival of the Boreal and Arctic birds, or Arctica, draws bird enthusiasts in their droves to towers along the Bothnian Bay coast.
This world contains two kinds of migrating birds: those who leave before winter, and those who stay. Migrating birds leave Finland in autumn and return in spring. Some species–for example, Whooper Swans–spend winter in Central Europe; some, like the crane, fly off to Southern Europe and Africa. One small bird species, the Arctic Tern, even travels as far as the other site of the world for winter, to the coastal areas of Antarctica.
A Demanding Flight
The long journey is a not only physically extremely demanding but an often dangerous flight over huge water areas like the Gulf of Finland, where birds have no chance to break, however exhausted. A bird too weak or underfed is not likely to survive the trip. And global climate change has brought new obstacles; omithologists have noticed that numbers of migrating birds arriving north has declined in recent years. As the Sahara desert grows, birds have to fly over an increasing wad of inhospitable terrain.
But why make such a dangerous cycle? The reason is simple: lack of Finnish food. Winter fishing is prevented by thick ice, and digging for worms in frozen mud isn’t very productive. With no flying insects, no vegetation, every tarn covered with snow, and minus thirty temperatures, the conditions are better elsewhere–a few thousand kilometres south, as it happens.
Migration is the obvious answer, and again when spring arrives, days in the North get longer and warmer, food is available, and the birds return to their breeding grounds. Comparatively few species stay in Finland all year; grouse and owl are among the few who have developed special mechanisms to endure the long winter.
Mystical powers
Birds are sticklers for tradition: they usually migrate along the same routes, routes developed along the evolutionary path. Young birds follow the flock, and learn partly from more experienced birds and partly by instinct. Modern science doesn’t know everything about bird migration, though it is thought that birds use all sorts of cues to keep on tracks: stars, sun, the earth’s magnetic field, light polarity, smell, and even local landmarks.
Liminka, Your Local Paradise
When travelling back from the South to their breeding grounds in the North, large bird flocks have to make several breaks on their journey. The coastal area of Liminka Bay, just south of Oulu is one of the resting areas for many species of water fowl. Its shallow waters provide perfect conditions for food – and, if you’re interested, for observing the birds. A short drive down the E4, one turn towards Lumijoki, and another at the sign saying ‘Luontokeskus,’ the nature centre has two birdwatching towers, one in the centre itself.
Closed for several months last year, the centre was reopened in March with a bird exhibition, photos of the area, a cafeteria, and accommodation.
Early And Later Birders
For birdwatching, you’ll need good binoculars; a telescope would be even better. Don’t forget warm clothes: summer hasn’t arrived yet, and at a 4.30 am sunrise, the best time for watching birds, the wind can be chilly. Not-so-early-birds needn’t mind, though: around noon, in the afternoon, or in the evening works too, though you mightn’t see quite as many.
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