Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
Higher elevation
Picea abies forests in the heart of Kuusamo. Sloping bogs and herb-rich mires are concentrated in the lower parts of the area.
An important breeding area for boreal avifauna. Also the most traditional site to observe
Tarsiger cyanurus in Finland.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The area is a candidate SAC.
National High
International High810 ha of IBA covered by Specific Protection Area (Valtavaara-Pyhäraara, 810 ha). 808 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Valtavaara-Pyhävaara).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Valtavaara-Pyhävaara (Finland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/valtavaara-pyhävaara-iba-finland on 05/01/2025.
