Record-breaking early migration brings over half a million barnacle geese to Finland

Over 500,000 barnacle geese have arrived in Finland in an unprecedented early migration, with more than 200,000 birds recorded in North Karelia alone, reports the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Eastern Finland.

The mass arrival began immediately after May Day, marking the first time such large numbers have reached Finland this early in May. Estimates suggest nearly half of the 1.5 million barnacle geese from the Barents Sea population are currently resting and feeding in eastern and southern Finland.

Most of the geese likely landed in Finland between the night of 2–3 May. Since then, the highest concentrations have been observed in fields and waters across Eastern Uusimaa, Päijät-Häme, Kymenlaakso, and North and South Karelia. The largest single flock—around 80,000 birds—was spotted at Teutjärvi in Kouvola on 3 May.

North Karelia has seen the highest regional numbers, with over 200,000 geese feeding and resting in concentrated areas. The peak count there was 25,000 birds at Siikakoski in Liperi on 6 May. Northern Savo has also reported unusually high numbers, including 30,000 geese at Lapinjärvi and Patajärvi in Kuopio’s Maaninka district on 4 May.

Nineteen barnacle geese fitted with GPS transmitters have been tracked to locations including Parikkala (3 birds), Joensuu, Kitee, and Tohmajärvi (2 each), and single birds in Askola, Kouvola, Liperi, Myrskylä, Outokumpu, Polvijärvi, Ruotsinpyhtää, Rääkkylä, Savitaipale, and Tuusula.

Favourable weather conditions are expected to support continued migration over the coming week, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute.