Aggressive terns attacked children at Finnish daycare for five years – authorities now permit nest disruption

For half a decade, aggressive terns have terrorised children and staff at a daycare centre in Iisalmi, eastern Finland, prompting authorities to grant rare permission to disrupt the protected birds’ nesting, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

The PikkuKenguru daycare, housed in a former municipal building, has faced repeated attacks as terns dive-bombed people in the courtyard to defend their nests. Minna Taipale, the daycare’s managing director, confirmed the birds had caused lasting fear among children and even pecked at their heads.

“The terns would swoop down from the roof at anyone moving in the yard,” Taipale said. “We’re relieved the property group can now take preventive action.”

The building’s owner, Paloisvirran Sonaatti, secured an exemption from Finland’s Permit and Supervision Agency this spring to deter nesting after five years of failed attempts with decoys like plastic owls and rubber snakes. Bird droppings had also created hygiene risks.

Iisalmi’s harbour has faced similar issues. Last year, 72 gull nests with 196 eggs covered a breakwater, forcing officials to install netting after birds attacked boaters and rescue vessels. “The netting went up early this April, and now the birds stay away,” said Jorma Korhonen, the city’s streets and environment supervisor. Previously, evasive manoeuvres risked collisions in the narrow channel used by emergency boats.

Ecologists link the urban nesting surge to eutrophication—nutrient pollution—degrading natural habitats. Jarmo Yliluoma of the Kuikas bird association noted that mink and raccoon dogs now raid ground nests more easily, driving terns and gulls to rooftops. “Without rapid restoration of waterways, species like the endangered lesser black-backed gull will keep declining,” he warned.