Expansive, shallow bays are valuable and protected habitats. Krottilanlahti and Härkälahti in the southern part of Ruissalo are typical examples of such shallow sea bays, which are unaffected by fresh river water and ocean currents. These bays have soft bottoms and their shorelines are lined with reeds. Natural shallow bays feature a rich and diverse range of bottom-dwelling flora and fauna. Because of this, these types of bays are also valuable from the perspective of bird species. The best way to discover Krottilanlahti is to visit the bird watching tower located on its shore.

Many formerly open coastal meadows have overgrown over the years. This happens gradually, with the low meadow vegetation first being replaced by tall grasses, followed by bushes and eventually a young forest. The open meadow thus turns into an entirely different habitat, with the valuable species typical of meadows disappearing in the process. The reasons behind the disappearance of meadows include a lack of mowing, reduced pasturage, and nutrient input from the air and the sea. Meadows are protected by clearing and continued pasturage and mowing. Removing or thinning trees increases the amount of sunlight, while grazers keep excess vegetation in check by eating. While they eat, their hooves also till the soil just right. The increasing light and spots of open ground cause the range of species to increase and meadow species to return. Cattle thus plays an important role in nature conservation, in addition to which the practice revitalises traditional grazing culture.

Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) / Photo: A. Kuusela

A great crested grebe at its nest / Photo: V-M. Suhonen

A pair of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) / Photo: V-M. Suhonen

Sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) / Photo: V-M. Suhonen

Common reed bunting (Schoeniclus schoeniclus) / Photo: V-M. Suhonen

Scarlet rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) / Photo: V-M. Suhonen

Shallow bays are favoured by waterfowl, and the reed beds bordering them attract reedbed birds. In Krottilanlahti, for example, you can see and hear tufted ducks, great crested grebes and mallards as well as the occasional common pochard or smew. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a white-tailed eagle flying overhead, scanning for prey. In the reed beds, you can find sedge warblers, Eurasian reed warblers and common reed buntings. Later in the spring, those with keen ears may also pick out the whistling of the scarlet rosefinch from the shore.