Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
A long, shallow bay at the mouth of the Laajoki river. The site is dominated by an area of shallow brackish water with extensive beds of vegetation, especially reed
Phragmites. Farmland and settlements lie adjacent to the site.
An internationally important staging area and nationally important breeding area for waterbirds. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria:
Gallinago media (6-10 birds, passage).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Professional fishing disturbs the avifauna, especially in spring. for many years by nature conservationists have opposed plans to construct a small harbour within the IBA (`Infrastructure' threat). Cattle-grazing has been used to keep shore meadows open.
National Low
International High102 ha of IBA covered by Protected Area on Private Land (Topokari, 106 ha). 69 ha of IBA covered by Specific Protection Area (Laajoen suisto, 69 ha). 2,062 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Mietoistenlahti).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Mietoistenlahti bay (Finland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mietoistenlahti-bay-iba-finland on 25/12/2024.
