Bird Wetlands of Vanajavesi Area. 02/02/04; Western Finland, Southern Finland; 702 ha; 61°13'N 024°15'E. Natura 2000 SPA, SCI, WHCP. Eight separate areas forming a representative wetland complex of four lakes and four bays with a valuable wetland bird fauna. Different wetland types include reed zones with small open-water areas and submerged or floating-leaved vegetation or extensive growths of water horsetail and wide sedge meadows. Bays are rather small and sheltered with vegetation dominated by common reed, common club-rush and water horsetail. During the breeding season the site supports more than 500 pairs of 16 species, among them 10 species of the EU Birds Directive Annex I, including several pairs of e.g. Slavonian Grebe, Bittern, Whooper Swan and Crane. The lakes and bays are also important staging areas for waterfowl during migration and molting periods. Eutrophication of the lakes and the impact of American Mink and Raccoon Dog populations on breeding birds affect the ecological character of the site. Visitors enjoy the site for outdoor recreation and birdwatching activities benefiting from facilities such as two observation towers at two different lake areas. Ramsar site no. 1509. Most recent RIS information: 2005.