Thousands of new species discovered in protected areas last year – rarities delighted discoverers

According to Metsähallitus Nature Services, several discoveries and achievements are significant for nature conservation and species protection.

For the experts at Metsähallitus Nature Services who map species in nature reserves, last year was an encouraging one.

Species were found in basic discoveries, but there were also great successes, with a few very rare species among the finds.

Metsähallitus Nature Services has special responsibility for the following species: the Saimaa ringed seal, the mink, the golden eagle, the kestrel and the peregrine falcon. Metsähallitus also plays an important role in the conservation of species such as the tortoise and the raccoon, as well as thousands of lesser known species.

Among the notable achievements is the fact that, for the first time, the Saimaa grouse was successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild.

The inspection of the nesting places of the weasel also produced results, as a total of 139 weasel litters were found in Fennoscandia – including three in Finland – which is a significant number.

A kestrel washed into a swinging pool

For the first time in the world, the peregrine falcon managed to nest in a nest box built for it. The golden eagle’s nesting result was average after two good years, and the sea eagle’s was good after last year’s weaker year.

A total of 137 whooper geese were observed during the spring migration in the Siikajoki resting area, which is the highest number of observations during the 40-year observation history.

Among the rare discoveries last year, among other things, mosses were recorded. The highly endangered teddy bear moss was found in the Kuusisto castle ruins, and the mysterious ruttakaula moss was found in Pohjois Savo’s Rautavaara.

A new occurrence of the highly endangered drawing moss was found in Kittilä’s Taljavaara, and in Lapland the highly endangered mountain moss was found in Käsivarre.