Contact information
What does the Kivinokka birdwatching platform offer?
The accessible birdwatching platform of Kivinokka is located at the end of an accessible trail that is marked with wood signs. There are bird information boards and seating on the platform.
Observe waterbirds
The Kivinokka platform offers views towards the north and the reeds in front of the platform, which enclose the water area of Saunalahti. Here you can see the great crested grebe and the coot nesting. In late summer and early autumn, gadwalls, wigeons and tufted ducks gather in front of the birdwatching platform. Often, there are also pochards and greater scaup near the platform. The marsh harrier can sometimes be seen hunting at the pool.
Sounds from the reeds and the old forest
The Kivinokka birdwatching platform is an excellent place for observing the soundscape of nature. Listen to the singing of the reed warbler in the reeds or the coarse singing of the great reed warbler in the sturdy reeds of Saunalahti. If you are keen-eared, you may hear the sound of the goldcrest, the common siskin, the treecreeper and the coal tit in the old Kivinokka forest. The sounds of the forest also include the drumming of the great spotted woodpecker and the hum of the oldest spruce trees in Helsinki along the nature trail.
Arrival at the Kivinokka birdwatching platform
The distance from the Herttoniemi and Kulosaari metro stations to the Kivinokka birdwatching platform is about two kilometres. From Kulosaari, you can also reach the start of the nature trail by bike. There is a parking place for people with reduced mobility at the start of the nature trail. The nearest car parks are in front of Kulosaari Manor, at the address Kipparlahdensilmukka 5.
Location
The route to the nature site
- There are 2 parking spaces marked as accessible in the parking area. The information board is less than 20 m away and can be seen in the parking area. The surface of the parking area is stone ash.
- The information board has a map of the area marked with the spot "You are here". You can also look at the information board up close.
- The pick-up and drop-off area is located under 20 m from the information board.
- The length of the route from the information board to the birdwatching platform is less than 400 meters. There are no signposts, but the route is otherwise clear.
- The digital map can be found at https://www.hel.fi/static/hkr/viher/kuvat/puumerkkipolku.pdf
- The route is hard all the way but partly uneven (bumps). The passageway has a fine crushed rock surface, augmented by wood in wet areas.
- The route is at least 1.5 meters wide the entire way. The route is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
- The route has steep hills, the largest of which has 5 meters height difference from bottom to top (steepest angle of ascent 12 %).
The nature site
- The height of the birdwatching platform from the ground is 3 meters. The platform is also spacious for a wheelchair. The guardrail has a wire mesh part for nature observation. A shelf attached to the guardrail facilitates binocular use and photography.
- A narrow ramp more than 6 m long leads to the birdwatching platform, with no intermediate platform, with handrails on both sides.
- There are benches near the birdwatching platform for taking a break. The benches are sized for adults, children.