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[edit] Overview

The countless islands of the Gulf of Finland are important breeding sites for seabirds and the seas are resting and feeding areas for large numbers of divers, ducks and seabirds on passage and in winter. Many islands are protected as National Parks, bird sanctuaries and nature reserves.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

In the north-eastern part of the Gulf the Itainen Suomenlahti National Park covers both large wooded islands and small rocky islets as well as the seas between. Breeding here are Common Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull, Caspian Tern and Arctic Tern, Razorbill and Black Guillemot.

The Apskar Bird Sanctuary in the Pernaja Archipelago in the central part of the Gulf has a similar range of species with the addition of Common Guillemot and is the site of an ornithological station.

To the west, Soderskar and Kummelskar in the Porvoo Archipelago also have research stations. The Kirkkonummi Archipelago off Porkkala has a small summering population of Barnacle Goose and other breeding birds of the Gulf islands include Greylag Goose, Common Eider and Tufted Duck, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover and Common Redshank.

The waters of the Gulf of Finland are of great importance for passage and wintering seabirds with 25000 divers recorded in spring as well as tens of thousands of seaducks including Steller's Eider. Also present in winter or on passage is White-tailed Eagle.

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver, Greylag Goose, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Greater Scaup, Common Eider, Steller's Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter, Velvet Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander, White-tailed Eagle, Ringed Plover, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Common Snipe, Common Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Arctic Skua, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Caspian Tern, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Common Guillemot, Razorbill, Black Guillemot

[edit] Other Wildlife

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[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

Many of these numerous archipelagos are popular for boating, fishing and hunting, although a large number of islands are protected and landing on some is forbidden.

[edit] Areas of Interest

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[edit] Access and Facilities

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[edit] Contact Details

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[edit] External Links

• The Islands of the Gulf of Finland
• Gulf of Finland on Google Maps

Content and images originally posted by Steve