Open breeding habitats are becoming increasingly scarce. The condition of breeding habitats for gulls and waders is being improved through the graveling of nesting holes.
On Lake Oulu, graveling is being trialled to save bird nesting holes. Grading will ensure that cleared caves do not become overgrown, thus improving nesting opportunities.
According to Metsähallitus, a major problem is that there is less and less open breeding habitat. Tern and gull colonies nesting in the marshes have disappeared or their numbers have declined significantly.
The first grading work will start this month at Siniluoto, where the clearing was carried out in 2021. Siniluoto is part of the Lake Oulu Bird Islands Natura area. If necessary, grading may also be carried out on other bird islands if the results are positive in the Siniluoto area.
In the Oulujärvi area, graveling is being used for the first time in the work to improve the breeding grounds, and a similar method has not been used before in this area. Gravel is also a fairly new method for renovating nesting burrows on a national scale.
Graveling slows down the siltation of the islets and thus guarantees better nesting conditions for the birds. Gravel also significantly reduces the need to maintain islets.
*You can discuss the topic until 23:00 on February 22.*