Southern Finland, Uusimaa Region
Town of Espoo
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 (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.
This is the web page nationalparks.fi/laajalahti
