The numbers of terns and seagulls are decreasing in Oulujärvi, so about 200 cubic meters of gravel are taken to Siniluoto by tractor and trailer. Gravel is used to combat the overgrowth of nesting sites.
New methods are being introduced in Lake Oulujärvi to ensure bird nesting. One of them is the graveling of nesting sites, from which lessons are gathered to improve other important bird areas as well.
Gravelling in Oulujärvi is used to combat the overgrowth of nesting sites, which has accelerated, among other things, due to the regulation of the water level.
There are only a few open nesting places left in the area, and the number of terns and gulls has clearly decreased. Oulujärvi’s bird islands are valuable nesting habitats for birds.
Oulujärvi is located in Vaala in Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu in Kajaani and Paltamo.
Nesting sites on valuable bird islands are decreasing
The shallowness of the islets also contributes to the loss of nesting areas. In a regulated lake, low-lying areas remain under water and the nests are destroyed. With graveling, the ground rises to a safe high level.
Metsähallitus’ Nature Services improves the living conditions of Oulujärvi’s birds with funding from the Ministry of the Environment’s Helmi habitat program.
– It seems good. It is excellent that there is funding and that we are able to do such projects, Helo praises.
Grading lessons are also being implemented elsewhere
First, the snow is removed from the islets and then they are gravelled. A filter cloth is placed under the gravel and about 200 cubic meters of gravel is taken on top with a tractor and a trailer.
Although gravel has been used a lot to restore fish spawning grounds, the method is quite new in the restoration of nesting burrows for birds. In Oulujärvi, we are now monitoring whether Pesiminen succeeds or not.
– We have bird water sites in the Pärämere and the coastal area where the lessons learned from this can be replicated. For example, where you can get to with an excavator, says Ilkka Immonen from Metsähallitus.
Teppo Helo thinks the use of gravel is good, although someone may ask if it changes the existing biotope.
– These areas are protected areas for birds in Natura. These are taken care of before the birds and in this case we have reached this solution.
If necessary, graveling can also be done on other islets of the Oulujärvi bird islands if the results in the Siniluoto area are positive.
Excavator drivers never get bored
The wind tip in February–March is cold in Oulujärvi, but it is not felt in the cabin of the excavator.
– Yes, it was found, after all, there are pebbles here, but it was already known.
Puumala herself has, among other things, ringed birds. Everything related to natural diversity and restoration interests him.
He believes that the crowding will work when the birds come to Siniluoto next summer. Puumala plans to grab the next similar washing machine when it becomes available.
– The two are more interesting, you won’t get tired of this.