Part one of additional info about interesting mammal species occurring in Finland

In previous news items we put the carnivores in the spotlight. We outlined the year in the life of the Finnish brown bears and wrote down some atmospheric moments of encounters we had from the hides concerning the different carnivores in mutual interaction with each other. In this item we highlight, usually about lesser known but certainly just as interesting encounters, with local fauna seen during EB5 trips. We start, of course, yet again with a remarkable observation of a carnivore!

A genuine brown bear, away from the classic feeding places

Observing brown bears in a natural way, as we are used to in Spain, from high vantage points from which you can survey the surroundings; it is a virtually impossible mission in Finland. Mainly because such higher locations in the country simply do not exist. Only fire and birdwatching towers, that look out over the vast area of forest, offer a minimal chance of doing so. But even then, you must be extremely lucky to spot a brown bear. Driving around at night in spring is also a possibility. These near meadows that often show green vegetation first. Bears like to come there to graze since other alternative food is still absent. But even with many night drives and covering a large range, a bear sighting is and remains anything but guaranteed.

Patvinsuo National Park

This beautiful national park has a brown bear as an image on its emblem. We have been visiting this park for years during our visits to Lieksa. This is to observe Eero’s wolverines in the immediate vicinity. But we also regularly take a walk through the bog of Patvinsuo. This is mainly to stretch our legs after the long sitting sessions in the hides. The landscape, which is a patchwork of expansive mires and deep forests, is also simply breathtakingly beautiful.

Moreover, the swamps and forests of the national park offer a multitude of nesting and feeding places for numerous and often special species of birds. Especially in spring. At specific locations, the list of species that we have already seen there over the years is downright impressive: red-flanked bluetail, red-breasted flycatcher, three-toed woodpecker, hazel grouse, willow grouse, black grouse, capercaillie, whimbrel, smew, rustic bunting, short-eared owl, waxwing, pygmy owl, ural owl, tengmalm’s owl, great grey owl and hawk owl. So, the park never bores!

And yes, all four carnivores are also mentioned in the online information that you can find about the park: brown bear, wolverine, wolf and lynx. Spotting them in the wild is of course a different matter. Especially if you are only there for a short time and occasionally take a walk here and there. The luck in encountering them that others have had here in the past, at least so far, has never been on our side. However, Jan does know people who, during one walk in the direction of the birdwatching tower in the middle of the peatbog, walked into a brown bear and a wolverine. So, it is perfectly possible!

On July 23, 2024, it also happened to us! Because of the good weather that day, we first took a cooling dip and a swim near the sandy shore of the lakeside at Suomunjärvi. In the evening, we started the one way walk in the direction of the well-known birdwatching tower. Once there we arrived, one by one, at the top of the tower that looks out over the peatbog. The view you have of the surrounding area is downright impressive and well worth the brisk hike.

The first glances that Jan casts through his binoculars, immediately is a strike! A brown bear runs very fast through his binocular view. Given the relatively long distance, it takes a while before everyone has the bear in their sights. But that turns out to be no problem as we could follow the animal for the next hour during its active presence in the area. The behavior that the bear shows also provides the necessary enthusiasm and a lot of fun!

The bear, which almost continuously gallops, regularly jumps with full conviction into the many pools of water that the marshes have to offer. The bear also enjoys swimming in them just as much as he can! His aquatic behavior causes many startled water birds to fly away. The most memorable thing we observe is when the young animal suddenly decides to climb a tree. At breakneck speed, he goes to the top of the pine tree where a group of Hooded Crows are resting. The birds, who have no idea what is happening, fly away in amazement! Like a sailor in a crow’s nest, the bear, just like us, looks out over the area for a few minutes! What an observation!

Thank you

Sincere thanks to John Wright for his amendments and edits regarding the grammatical content of this news item. A professional contribution that is warmly appreciated by EB5!