Ferry transfer leaves endangered house martins without nests

Finferries has begun moving ferries from the Hailuoto and Oulu route to Turku, despite endangered house martins nesting on board, Yle reports. Nature groups have condemned the permit allowing the transfer.

The reserve ferry Mergus left Oulu for Turku on Tuesday afternoon carrying about 20 nests containing chicks. The nests were inspected and removed in accordance with the permit conditions before the ferry departed.

Three flightless chicks were moved to a temporary shelter built on the shore. Finferries must monitor whether the parent birds continue feeding them.

If the parents do not return and a local bird shelter does not take the chicks into care, they will be euthanised, Finferries traffic manager Jussi Mäkitalo told Yle.

The main ferry, Merisilta, is due to leave during the week. Mäkitalo said there are no chicks on board.

The third ferry, Meriluoto, may not leave before August 9. The landing structures may not be touched before that date, and the ferry still has a couple of nests containing chicks, Mäkitalo said.

The permit was issued by the Permit and Supervisory Authority. Special permission was required because the house martins and their nests are protected.

The ferry transfer means the birds will no longer be able to use the nests at the ferry terminal next summer. House martins usually return to the same nests.

Finferries is required to install artificial nests in the area before next April. The company will then assess whether the birds use them or build nests elsewhere.