Birds of the Reed Beds

Birds found among the reeds in Vanhankaupunginlahti bay are typical wetland species, such as the spotted crake and the water rail. Outlying reed beds and small areas of open water are also a part of the habitat suitable for the coot. The reed bunting and the scarlet rosefinch, on the other hand, prefer living in the bushes bordering reed beds. A new species for the Vanhankaupunginlahti reed banks is the bearded tit. Most of Finland’s breeding pairs of these tits nest here.

Many of the birds, that live in the reed beds are nocturnal singers. Warblers nest in large numbers in the reed beds and their immediate vicinity. The most common warblers to be found in Vanhankaupunginlahti bay are the sedge warbler and the reed warbler, the marsh warbler being less common. Usually you will only be able to catch a brief glimpse of these birds, but you will easily be able to differentiate between the various warblers by listening to their song. Some birds, such as the water rail, you will almost never be able to see. Only their nocturnal noises reveal their presence.

The marsh harrier, whose hunting territory the bird bay is, feels most at home nesting inside the reed beds. Attempts have also been made to persuade ospreys to breed here. A large nesting platform has been built to make good the shortage of large enough trees along the shoreline. Ospreys have not yet given any signs of settling down, but they are commonly seen during migratory period, as well as other birds of pray.