The new birdwatching tower will be larger than the current one and will be able to accommodate a greater number of visitors. The new birdwatching tower has been designed with a particular emphasis on vibration damping and ensuring that the stairs are easy to use. The bird hide will also be replaced, with the new hide allowing visitors to observe a wider area. The hide and the path leading to it will also be made accessible.
The design of the new birdwatching tower, bird hide and duckboards is based on ideas and suggestions collected from users. During the design process, the solutions were refined in workshops in collaboration with the users of the area and nature organisations.
Construction will begin in early August and be carried out between autumn 2026 and winter 2027, outside the bird nesting season. During the construction work, the nature trail circling the Pornaistenniemi nature reserve will be partially closed. Access to Lammassaari will remain open as normal.
Pornaistenniemi is home to a wealth of polypores, birds and reptiles
The Pornaistenniemi herb-rich common alder forest nature reserve is located in the northern part of Vanhankaupunginlahti, bordering the Viikki-Vanhankaupunginlahti nature reserve and the Vanhankaupunginlahti bird wetlands, which are a Natura 2000 area.
Pornaistenniemi is home to an exceptionally wide variety of polypore and corticioid fungus species, by Finnish standards. Some of the species are endangered or near-threatened. The area is also home to a very wide variety of herb-rich forest birds. These include endangered species such as the white-backed woodpeckers and the Eurasian penduline tit, which have been sighted in the area in several years. Pornaistenniemi is also one of Helsinki’s most valuable habitats for reptiles and amphibians.
Viikki-Vanhankaupunginlahti is Helsinki’s largest nature reserve, known especially for its diverse birdlife. In addition to being home to breeding birds, the area is an important stopover site for migrating birds.