Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
Three adjacent, shallow and nutrient-rich lakes with lush vegetation on the upper course of the Lapijoki river. Some parts of the shoreline are bordered by wide marshes. The water-levels of Koskeljärvi and Pitkäjärvi lakes are regulated, which has increased the lake's value for birds on the former, but on the latter has caused over-eutrophication. Koskeljärvi, the most important ornithologically, is the largest lake in south-western Finland without any settlements on its shores.
An important breeding area for wetland birds, including nationally important numbers of
Circus aeruginosus (6 pairs). Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria:
Haliaeetus albicilla (max. 6 individuals, passage).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Part of the area is a candidate SAC.
National Low
International Partial18 ha of IBA covered by Protected Area on Private Land (Kirkkolahti, 1 ha). 17 ha of IBA covered by Protected Area on Private Land (Tanska, 17 ha). 1,539 ha covered by Special Protection Area (Koskeljärvi).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Koskeljärvi, Vaaljärvi and Pitkäjärvi lakes (Finland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/koskeljärvi-vaaljärvi-and-pitkäjärvi-lakes-iba-finland on 23/11/2024.
