Province of
Southern Finland, Uusimaa Region
Town of Espoo (www.espoo.fi)
Area: 1.8 sq. km. Established in 1979.
The area is managed by
Metsähallitus.
Laajalahti is one of the best bird wetlands within the
Helsinki-Espoo-Vantaa metropolis. It is a fantastic place to observe birds both
during migration and at other times. The nature reserve’s trails and bird
watching towers offer the perfect services for a day trip. Visitors will also
want to see Espoo’s nature centre at Villa
Elfvik (www.espoo.fi) on the north edge of the reserve.
For the most part Laajalahti Nature Reserve consists of open water. There are
also a broad reedbed and shoreline groves and meadows. It is an important area
for the plentiful nesting population in the region and for the thousands of
birds which stop there during spring and autumn migration in April-May and
August-September. The aim of the nature reserve is to conserve the shallow sea
water bay and its surrounding area and for the area to possibly be used for
outdoor recreation. The area’s landscape is maintained by using meadows as
pastures for livestock. Visitors can enjoy the area’s landscape and wildlife
from its bird watching towers and trails without disturbing
them.
