Sharp frosts delay arrival of migrating birds in Finland
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The current chilly spell may postpone the beginning of birds' spring migration to Finland. No new observations have been made of the first migrant birds - six whooper swans - who headed for Central Finland from Turku a couple of weeks ago. However, the big birds are apparently capable of surviving in the frosty weather.
Lauri Hänninen of BirdLife Finland reports that the whooper swan is a very hardy creature, and in the current situation the swans are likely to seek for ice-free water.
"Big birds like this can survive without food for as long as a week. However, they might have turned back to the South to look for open water, as they were apparently coming back from the direction of the Åland archipelago", says Hänninen.
Even an large elderly white-tailed eagle was seen in Tampere's district of Kaleva flying toward the northeast some ten days ago. It was apparently on its way back from the migration areas on the coast and made a record of spring migration with its arrival in the Tampere region so early.
The proper spring migration of birds is not expected for a while yet. "If the weather stays cold through the entire country, it is likely to stop all migrant birds. But after the weather has turned warmer, we can expect a real spring wave", estimates Hänninen.
The first migrant birds are already in the Baltic States waiting for warmer temperatures.
Traditionally, the first migrating birds on the south coast of Finland are larks, stock doves, and black crows. After them come lapwings, starlings, and curlews.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 24.2.2005 - TODAY |
 Sharp frosts delay arrival of migrating birds in Finland
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