Tornio

A wildfire burned across an uninhabited grassy river island in the Tornio River near Karunki, just north of Tornio in Finnish Lapland. Rescue services monitored the blaze but did not extinguish it, while wildfire warnings remained in effect across much of Finland.

An NSD reader photographed an unusual rainbow during winter conditions in Hedenäset, Sweden, on February 6.

Extremely icy conditions in Haparanda, Norrbotten, are forcing round-the-clock sanding. Small paths and tight areas must be re-sanded about every two hours as gravel quickly sinks into the ice.

Three reindeer were seen calmly moving through central Tornio, Finland, on Sunday, an unusual sight outside the reindeer-herding area; authorities say they likely crossed from Sweden and posed no danger.

Large numbers of geese are moving in from Russia, with barnacle geese drawing attention in Sea Lapland, where they are usually scarce. The article notes growing flocks on fields and renewed conflict with farmers over crop damage, especially in Karelia.

Sustained high temperatures have led to algal blooms at several sites in the Haparanda Archipelago, and local authorities are advising people to avoid bathing.

Finland recorded 20 days above 30 °C in July and Norway saw July average 2.8 °C above normal, with unprecedented heatwaves extending into northern Sweden.

Ice cover over Finlands sea areas is very low. Experts warn that the ice is now very thin over sea, and with spring slowly arriving, the situation is not likely to improve.

Authorities have warned residents and food and lodging businesses in downtown Kemi about a renewed rat problem. Inspections found deficiencies especially in waste bins and waste management, and rats were seen even during the daytime.

A rare black stork that strayed to Tornio, Finland, was found emaciated, taken into care, and moved to a bird rehabilitation center in Oulu. Its recovery is expected to take at least two weeks while experts consider how and where to release it.

A warm spell brought bees out nearly a month earlier than usual in Vojakkala in the Tornio Valley of Finnish Lapland, raising concerns that the main honey flow period in summer could be shorter than normal.

Birders in Sea Lapland (Meri-Lappi), Finland report abundant vole tracks on late-winter snow, raising expectations for an active breeding season for vole-eating raptors. The article also notes an unusually early arrival of the common kestrel.

This summer’s prolonged drought and high temperatures in Southwest Lapland are harming insect populations, with fewer spring butterflies observed and breeding habitats limited by lack of snowmelt pools.

A warm spell after a very cold winter prompted overwintering butterflies in the Meri-Lappi region of Finnish Lapland to emerge earlier than usual, with multiple mourning cloaks observed in Simo in week 16.

As snow melts and temperatures rise, ticks have become active across Finnish Lapland, with more than 1,300 tick observations reported from Sea Lapland via the Punkkilive app. The northernmost reports this spring have come from Utsjoki, and experts note a distinct local tick population around Rovaniemi.