BirdLife Central Finland connects people interested in birds in the area. The club collects, stores, and publishes records of birds of the Central Finland. We promote knowledge on birds as well as the protection of birds and their habitat in our area. There are nearly 900 members in the club. The Red-throated Diver is our emblem.

The area of operation in Central Finland is about 250 km in length (S-N), and about 100 km wide (W-E). The biggest town is Jyväskylä (250 km N from Helsinki), situated at the centre of the area. Two thirds of Central Finland is covered by forests. Most of the woodland is influenced by forestry. The largest old growth forests are found in the National Parks of Pyhä-Häkki in Saarijärvi and Isojärvi in Kuhmoinen. One fifth of the area is peat land. The largest peat land bogs are situated in Pihtipudas and in Joutsa, Leivonmäki. One sixth of the area is covered by lakes, Päijänne, Keitele and Kolima being the largest ones. Cultivated fields cover one tenth of the area. Most of the bird species breeding in Central Finland are migratory, arriving mainly in April and May, and departing in August and September. The sedentary birds are mostly species of boreal forests. In addition, a good number of passing migrants are seen on their way to Arctic breeding grounds and back. The total number of observed bird species in the Central Finland is over 300. About 155 of these are regular breeders, about 15 species breed irregularly. About 30 of the remaining species can be regarded as regularly passing migrants and about 40 species are sedentary.

Which bird species do birdwatchers find most interesting?

Forest owls are perhaps the most wanted group: Eagle Owl, Hawk Owl, Pygmy Owl, Ural Owl, Great Grey Owl and Tengmalm’s Owl. Also other forest birds, such as Hazel Grouse, Black Grouse, Capercaillie, Black Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Siberian Jay, Parrot Crossbill and Two-barred Crossbill are among the local attractions. Species with North Eastern range are often on wish lists: Thrush Nightingale, the occasional Lanceolated Warbler, River Warbler, Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Greenish Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Nutcracker, Scarlet Rosefinch and Rustic Bunting. Moreover, some Central Finnish breeding species are mainly seen in non-breeding plumage elsewhere in Europe (e.g., Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver and Brambling). Also such species as Smew, Willow Grouse, Spotted Crake, Corncrake, Crane, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper and Waxwing are for most birders something to tell home about.

Noteworthily, some of the species mentioned here are local rarities or seasonal vagrants, and the most can only be observed, if ever, at a certain time of year. If you visit Central Finland and need help with planning a bird trip here, or you would like to have some company, you are welcome to contact the locals (e.g., Harri Högmander, harri.hogmander[at]jyu.fi) for tips and checklists.