The mires and lakes of Karvia offer perfect sites for birdwatchers to observe the various species residing in the area.
Mires of Karvia
Karvia has many mires worth a visit, including the following:
- Mustakeidas
- Belongs to Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park
- Location: west of the municipal centre
- Pitkäniemenkeidas
- Location: southern part of the township
- Horjunkeidas
- Location: southern part of the township
- Jäkäläneva
- Location: Rummukkaperä, right next to the municipal border of Jalasjärvi
- Kaurakeidas
- Great mire for birdwatching
- Location: southern part of the municipality, along Niinisalontie road (273). The section of the mire located east of the road is easily accessible, and there is a lean-to near the road.
- Kauhaneva
- Best birdwatching mire in Western Finland
- Driving directions: Turn from the Karvia-Kauhajärvi road at Ellinharju, by the woodlark gravel pits, and take the museum road north. The road leads to a camping site on the south-eastern edge of Kauhaneva mire. Duckboards start from the northern side of the camping site, leading you to the mire and to Lake Kauhalammi.
Bird lakes of Karvia
Lake Karvianjärvi
Lake Karvianjärvi is the largest lake in Karvia, and it has become a great bird lake due to eutrophication. The southern end and the south-eastern shoreline in Kivistönkylä are the best areas to see coastal wetland birds such as greenshanks, ruffs, redshanks and shovelers.
Lake Kirkkojärvi
Lake Kirkkojärvi and Field Kärpäsenaukea on the northern side of the lake are great destinations, especially at the time of spring floods. During the migration season, the area is a perfect place to spot resting mallards, geese, swans and waders. Birds that nest in the area include the marsh harrier, kestrel, short-eared owl, long-eared owl and corncrake.
Field Kärpäsenaukea is located north of the municipal centre of Karvia, by the road leading to Kauhajoki (drive on the road for 500–1000 metres).
Lake Suomijärvi
A nationally valuable, very shallow and overgrown bird lake, where the water surface was recently elevated. In the summer, it is possible to see birds such as little grebes and long-tailed ducks – all on a single trip to this lake. The easiest place to explore Lake Suomijärvi is on the south-eastern shore.
The lake is situated approximately 8 kilometres south-east of the Karvia Town Centre, on the southern side of road number 274 to Parkano.
The lakes of Karvia also offer great opportunities for fishing. For more information, visit the website of Karvia’s fishing association.
Kärpäsneva birdwatching tower
Kärpäsneva is located in the village of Ämmälä, on the Kauhajoki municipal border. The nature trail leading up to the bird tower runs along a small river, which is home to European beavers. A view opens up from the bird tower across Kärpäsneva, which is an extensive field area dotted with old barns. River Karvianjoki is prone to flooding, and water rises to the Kärpäsenaukea fields almost every spring. However, the best feature of the tower is the abundance of bird species residing at Kärpäsneva, especially during the spring and autumn migration. In the spring, it is possible to see hundreds of swans, geese and cranes roaming around the flooded fields. Even many rare visitors find a home here for the summer, and stay on the fields, to the great delight of the spectators.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
The best way to get to Kärpäsneva from the Karvia Town Centre is to drive north on Sarvelantie road for approximately three kilometres, and then turn left at the crossroads on Kauhajoentie road. After the crossroads, drive for about one kilometre on Ämmäläntie road, after which you will reach a small parking area (GPS coordinates 62° 09.744 E 022° 33.922). This is the starting point of a nature trail, which is marked with signposts and takes visitors through a lush mixed forest for just over one kilometre, ending up at the bird tower.