Birds, animals and other friends
The birds are nesting on the shore and in the forest
A sea eagle is calling out in the area. In the 1980s, Särkisalo had its own bird friends group that fed white tailed sea eagles for over 20 winters. There were three pig farms in our village, and when a pig died for any reason, the body was taken to a secret eagle feeding site in Niksaari. The meat was free of toxins and thus a safe food source. Winter feeding was heavy and difficult; the bodies were transported by pulling sleds while skiing, in the trunks of cars, on trailers, and by hand. But now the sea eagle is very common and vitale here. 💕❤️
We have a great cormorant community on the island in front of the villas. Mute and whooper swans, greylag geese, brant geese, and Canada geese are common large birds in Särkisalo. Other big birds are common crane and grey heron.
We have over 50 birdhouses where the most common species of small birds nest.
More sea life
The most common predator fish arts are pike, zander and perch. Sea trout, whitefish and Baltic herring complete the rich fish selection. The cyprinids, including almost 20 species like bream are very common, and food for birds, fish and grey seals.
If the water is still, you might see a gray seal, which is very curious.
The Snakes and frogs are protected
A pond created on a former field near the cottages has become an important amphibian breeding site. Thousands of small frogs and toads start their life from the pond, being food for e.g. snakes and grey herons.
A former mine of Förby is home for one of Finlands biggest bat community. On summer nights, bats come out to eat mosquitoes while you’re sitting outside and attract them. Please avoid using Thermasil insecticides to repel mosquitoes, as these poisons kill insectivores like birds and bats.
Fox as a neighbour
There are foxes and Asian raccoon dogs trying to find something to eat.
We have a large lynx population here in Särkisalo, but they are very quiet and mostly active at nights.
There are also plenty of wolves in Finland, but they rarely visit us here on the islands.
Moose and deer
Moose are the kings of Finland’s forests. Roe deer and white-tailed deer also feed in the fields. The hare is a smaller animal commonly seen in fields.
Many of our cottage guests enjoy seeing wildlife. In Särkisalo everything is close by.
