Bird experts estimate that the migratory birds on their way have now stopped to wait for better weather. Then they will continue their journey to Finland.
Since the beginning of the week, snow covered the ground in many places like it was in the middle of winter.
The temporary full turn of spring’s progress back to winter has confused migratory birds, which have already arrived in Finland in quite large numbers.
Last week’s southwesterly flow sped up the arrival of migratory birds. For example, flocks of more than a thousand forest geese and hundreds of larks have been seen at the busiest observation spots in Satakunta at the turn of the week.
Large flocks of whooper swans and geese were observed on Monday at least in Pori and Eurajoki. Even at the height of Lapvärtt, there are already about a thousand whooper swans.
If the last winter stretches for a week or more, it can already be a tough place for most birds, according to Lund. However, he believes that there is food in the fields and melted places even now.
The last winter made some of the birds turn back
The cackling of geese fills the air in Helsinki’s Viiki. Big birds, however, wade through the snow up to their stomachs.
– On Sunday, when the snowfall started, there was a strong return migration with both grebes, larks and finches.
However, many birds have prepared for the spring migration by refueling in the south, which allows them to survive the winter weather for a while.
The national bird, the whooper swan, which is one of the earliest spring migrants, is on the other hand well adapted to the winter conditions, and according to Mikkola-Roos, it will do well as long as it finds a thawed body of water.
Both ornithologists estimate that the migratory birds on their way have now stopped to wait for better weather, after which they will continue their journey to Finland.