Tervon Sääksikeidas: An Osprey Photography Paradise

Tervon Sääksikeidas, or the Osprey Oasis of Tervo, is a specialized bird watching area dedicated to providing exceptional photography opportunities of ospreys in their natural habitat. Located in the heart of Finnish Lakeland near Kuopio, this oasis has been carefully designed to attract ospreys, eagles, and other bird species, making it a prime destination for wildlife photographers and birdwatchers. The oasis features a natural pond stocked with fish, ensuring a reliable food source for the ospreys. Several photography hides are strategically placed around the pond, allowing visitors to capture close-range images of these magnificent birds as they hunt. The hides, named Aquila, Pandion, Halia, Etus and the Lutra low angle pro hide, accommodate varying group sizes and offer different perspectives, including a unique water-level view from the Lutra hide. The best times to visit Tervon Sääksikeidas are during the periods from early April to mid-May and throughout August until early September. During these months, osprey activity is at its peak, with up to 10-15 hunting dives observed in a single day. In addition to ospreys, lucky visitors may also spot gray herons, otters, foxes and eagles. By the end of September, most ospreys have migrated to their wintering grounds. The creation of Tervon Sääksikeidas stems from a lifelong passion for nature photography. Inspired by a photography trip to Scotland, the founder sought to create a similar location in the North Savo region of Finland. After initial trials, the oasis was established near Tervo, with a focus on providing a controlled environment where ospreys could thrive and photographers could capture stunning images.