SPECIES
WHAT TO SEE IN BOREAL WILDLIFE CENTER ?
You can observe many species at the Boreal Wildlife Center.
In addition to the 3 large predators of the region, bears, wolves and wolverines, you can also see elks, deers and beavers.
Many birds are also present in the area such as the white-tailed eagle and several species of owls are also common. Grey owl, ural owl, hawk Owl, barn owl and eagle owl are regularly seen seasonally. Bean goose, crane and whooper swan are residents as Siberian jay, jay, tits, goldeneyes and Eurasian teals.
At the season, from April to May you can observe capercailles and black grouses from specific hides.
SEASONS
WHAT TO SEE IN WHICH SEASON ?
Depending on the season the visible species are different.
Spring is the richest season of wildlife. The first bears arrive in April as soon as the temperature rises. Then they are more numerous in May and the maximum is visible in June and July during the breeding period. Bears remain present until October when they go to hibernate.
Owls are particularly active in spring although may see them until mid-summer. Wolves and volverine are present all around the year. Spring also marks the arrival of small migratory birds.
During summer from July to September bears, wolves and wolverines are always very active in the area. Elks and deers are there, white-tailed eagles and lot of small birds are present.
Autumn is the season of beautiful colors until the first snow in November. It is also the end of the bear season when bears go to hibernate towards the end of October. The months of September and October offer great opportunities for original pictures of wolf, bears, wolverines and the resident birds.
PHOTOGRAPHY ADVICE
WHAT TO BRING FOR PHOTOS
Making photos in hides requires some advice to be ready.
The most useful focals in the hides are between 200 and 500 mm. However it happens that a bear approaches very close to the hide, in that case a shorter focal length 70 – 200 mm can be very useful.
In hides it is better to have a pendulum head or a ball head but you do not need a tripod. You will find support for your head in each seat in the hide.
WEATHER
WHAT DO I NEED FOR THE WEATHER ?
Kuhmo has a subarctic continental climate without dry season in short and cool summer
The weather at the Boreal Wildlife Center is a continental climate. Durind winter season, from February to the end of April there is snow and temperature vary from -25° to 0°. From the May the temperature rises slowly to oscillate between -5° and +15° and in June.
From the end of June to September it’s summer, temperatures are positive and can increase to more than 30°, it is also the wettest season. But keep in mind that the weather can change very quikly in all seasons. It can be chilly even in summer. So, you must have a jacket always not too far from you …
To check the weather condition, have a look to www.yr.no