Birdwatching towers in Liminka Bay

The most popular destination in the Liminka Bay area. An accessible gravel trail (about 600 meters) to the birdwatching tower starts from the visitor centre's yard. There is no winter maintenance at the trail. Tower’s lower platform is accessible. The Virkkula birdwatching tower is maintained by the municipality of Liminka.

Coordinates: ETRS89 (~WGS84) 64° 49.745', 25° 18.631'

The best time to watch birds and the specialities:

• From the beginning of April to the end of September.
• Ideal lighting conditions over the water area, almost completely throughout the day.
• The best place to sight the black-tailed godwit.
• Curlews, ruffs and many species of Tringa thrive in the grazing area to the east of the tower.
• Large numbers of waterfowl in the autumn, due to the sanctuary area.

The River Temmesjoki flows into Liminka Bay from the southeast. The path to the birdwatching tower is in poor condition, and the distance to the tower is one or two kilometers, depending on which parking area you choose. The birdwatching tower is maintained by the municipality of Liminka.

Coordinates: ETRS89 (~WGS84) 64° 51.672', 25° 21.102'

The best time to watch birds and the specialities:

• From the end of April to mid-August.
• Ideal lighting conditions over the water area in the morning.
• The evening flight of the geese at the end of April.
• A good place to listen to the Eurasian bittern.

Sannanlahti birdwatching tower is situated on the western side of Liminka Bay. The panorama opening out from the birdwatching tower is dominated by wide reed beds and disc-like reed islets. Lamunkari island, situated to the east of the birdwatching tower, is favoured by feeding birds and an important nesting area. The distance from the parking area to the tower is 400 meters. The birdwatching tower is maintained by the municipality of Lumijoki.

Coordinates: ETRS89 (~WGS84) 64° 52.755', 25° 12.270'

The best time to watch birds and the specialities:

• From the beginning of May to the end of September
• Ideal lighting conditions in the evening.
• A good spot for observing spring migration.

Puhkiavanperä is situated in the south-western part of Liminka Bay. A duckboard trail (800 meters) takes you through the small forest, former hayfields and reed beds to the birdwatching tower. The path can be very wet, especially towards the end, after rain due to the tall reeds. There is an observation hut at the edge of the field halfway along the route. North of the tower, you can see the Pitkänokka reed bed, which is the bay's most important nesting area for the greylag goose. Birdwatching tower is maintained by the municipality of Lumijoki.

Coordinates: ETRS89 (~WGS84) 64° 50.786', 25° 17.295'

The best time to watch birds and the specialities:

• From the beginning of May to the end of September.
• Ideal lighting conditions in the evening.
• The best prospects for spotting the bittern.
• The feeding area favoured by waterfowl and waders.

Papinkari is situated in the north-eastern corner of Liminka Bay. The Papinkari birdwatching tower offers a panoramic view of Kylänpäänlahti Bay. The distance from the parking area to the tower is 600 meters. Papinkari birdwatching tower is maintained by the local communities of Oulunsalo.

Coordinates: ETRS89 (~WGS84) 64° 54.524', 25° 22.857'

The best time to watch birds and the specialities:

• From the beginning of May to mid-August.
• Ideal lighting conditions in the morning.
• A good spot to sight forest species.