There is no unbroken nature trail in the Liminka Bay area. The trails (along which there are campfire sites) in the area lead to the birdwatching towers. The trails are in good condition.
You can find driving instructions to the towers from here (www.ouka.fi, pdf-file).
1. Virkkula Birdwatching Tower, Liminka, Visitor Centre
The most popular destination in the Liminka Bay area. A gravel trail (600 meters) to the birdwatching tower starts from the visitor centre's yard. The wide trail running to the birdwatching tower is accessible by wheelchair and pram. There are two campfire sites next to the visitor centre. Camfire sites and the birdwatching tower are maintaned by Liminka municipality.
The best time to watch birds and the specialities:
- from the beginning of April to the end of September
- ideal lighting conditions over the water area, almost completely throughout the day
- the best place to sight the black-tailed godwit
- curlews, ruffs and many species of Tringa thrive in the grazing area to the east of the tower
- large numbers of waterfowl in the autumn, due to the sanctuary area
2. Temmesjokisuu Birdwatching Tower, Liminka
The River Temmesjoki flows into Liminka Bay from the southeast. A wet duckboard trail to the birdwatching tower starts from the small boat harbour located next to the parking area in the end of road Penkkatie. A short part of the 2-km trail runs along the road leading to a fishing village. It is advisable to wear rubber boots on the excursion. More dry half of the 2-km trail is also reachable via road Kalatie, from the parking area of a hut in the fishing village . The Temmesjoki birdwatching tower commands the best view over the whole of Liminka Bay. There is a old campfire site (no firewoods maintained) by the parking area and a map of the area next to the campfire site. Camfire sites and the birdwatching tower are maintaned by Liminka municipality.
The best time to watch birds and the specialities:
- from the end of April to mid-August
- ideal lighting conditions over the water area in the morning
- evening-time flight of the geese at the end of April
- a good spot for listening to the song of the Eurasian bittern
3. Papinkari Birdwatching Tower, Oulunsalo
Papinkari is situated in the north-eastern corner of Liminka Bay. It is advisable to wear rubber boots on this excursion. The Papinkari birdwatching tower offers a panoramic view of Kylänpäänlahti Bay. The distance from the parking area to the tower is 600 meters. The birdwathingtower is in poor condition.
The best time to watch birds and the specialities:
- from the beginning of May to mid-August
- ideal lighting conditions in the morning
- a good spot to sight forest species
4. Sannanlahti Birdwatching Tower, Lumijoki
Sannanlahti is situated on the western side of Liminka Bay. The panorama opening out from the birdwatching tower is dominated by wide reed beds and disc-like reed islets. Lamunkari, situated to the east of the birdwatching tower, is a shoal favoured by feeding birds and an important nesting area. There is a parking area and a map of the area by the Sannanlahti birdwatching tower. The distance from the parking area to the tower is 400 meters. Camfire site and the birdwatching tower are maintaned by Lumijoki municipality.
The best time to watch birds and the specialities:
- from the beginning of May to the end of September
- ideal lighting conditions in the evening
- a good spot for observing spring migration
5. Puhkiavanperä Birdwatching Tower, Lumijoki
Puhkiavanperä is situated in the south-western part of Liminka Bay. A duckboard trail (800 meters) takes you through the small forest, former hayfields and reed beds to the birdwatching tower. North of the tower, you can see the Pitkänokka reed bed, which is the bay's most important nesting area for the greylag goose. Camfire site and the birdwatching tower are maintaned by Lumijoki municipality.
The best time to watch birds and the specialities:
- from the beginning of May to the end of September
- ideal lighting conditions in the evening
- the best prospects for spotting the bittern
- the feeding area favoured by waterfowl and waders
