Cranes vote with their wings on Finnish summer
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We humans are not the only ones to have noticed that this year’s Finnish summer weather has left something to be desired (unless you have been fortunate enough to spend July in northernmost Lapland). Birdwatchers reported late last week that a flock of around 1,200 cranes (Grus grus) had already gathered in the area of Söderfjärden, south of Vaasa on the west coast, in order to gather strength for their return to their winter homes in the south. The Finnish cranes winter mainly on the Iberian peninsula and in North Africa.
Northerly winds had apparently prompted the birds to set off, though one could hardly blame them for packing up and leaving a bit early.
The main migration of the cranes that spend their summers here generally takes place at the end of September or the beginning of October. In a normal year around 5,000 of the birds use Söderfjärden as a staging post and temporary landing-site. Two years ago a record number of 6,500 cranes was recorded.
Northerly winds had apparently prompted the birds to set off, though one could hardly blame them for packing up and leaving a bit early.
The main migration of the cranes that spend their summers here generally takes place at the end of September or the beginning of October. In a normal year around 5,000 of the birds use Söderfjärden as a staging post and temporary landing-site. Two years ago a record number of 6,500 cranes was recorded.
Helsingin Sanomat