Whale watching
Every year, from the end of June to the middle of August, these white dolphins gather near Solovetsky archipelago in the White Sea.
This period of Polar white-nights is a time for belugas for mating, socializing and birth of their young.
Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) is a polar small whale.
It is a highly intellectual species with an interesting social behavior.
They grow up to 5 meters long, feeding on fish and squid. Looking for food, grown-up males can dive up to a depth of 500 meters,
females and kids up to 350 meters. After the birth, calves are brown and while growing older their color becomes lighter.
At the age of 4-5 years whales become completely white.
There are several accumulations of belugas in the southern part of the White Sea, totally about 1500 whales.
One of them could be observed quite close to the Solovetsky Islands, where the famous medieval monastery is situated.
Seal watching
There are good opportunities for travellers to observe different species of seals in Karelia and neighbouring territories.
The northern part of Lake Ladoga is inhabited by Ladoga ringed seal. It is possible to encounter this species on the small islands
around Valaam (where famous Valaam Monastery is situated).
The White Sea is populated by three species of seals - Harp seals, Bearded seals and Gray seals. At the beginning of
March cubs of Harp seals get born on ice of the White Sea to the north from Arkhangelsk. In May older cubs turn
their color from white to grey and travel on pieces of melty ice over the Sea. Ecological trips by boats in
order spot them are arranged in the area of Kandalaksha Bay.
While the success ratio of seeing Harp Seals
from the boats in May is about 50%, meeting of Bearded seals and Gray seals is nearly 100% guaranteed.
These species can be also encountered on the shores of the Solovetsky Islands.
Bird watching
Karelia is considered to be an interesting place for bird watching. The region is located on the way of bird migration from
the south to the north (in spring) and from the north to the south (in autumn). The biggest part of the birds can be observed in April
and March on the fileds near the town of Olonets, some bird species can be seen near the city of Petrozavodsk.
Migrating birds include Great White fronted goose (Anser albifrons), Bean goose (Anser fabalis), some Barnacle goose
(Branta leucopsis), other geese species. Other bird species: diving ducks - Common (Black) Scoter (Melanitta nigra),
Tufted duck (Aythia fuligula), puddle ducks, Grus-grus.
The territory of the republic is mostly covered with taiga forests, in which there are plenty of forest birds.
They include woodepeckers, wood grouse, partridge, etc.
The prey birds are represented by Erne (they have nests on some territories including Vodlozersky and Paanajarvi national parks),
Hawks, Black Kites, Owls.
The region of the White Sea is inhabited by sea birds such as Eider Ducks, Sea Gulls, Sandpipers, Loons, etc.
In Karelia there are special protected territories where hunting is prohibited. These areas include Vodlozersky and
Paanajarvi national Parks, Nature Reserve Kivatch (located at the distance of 80 km from Petrozavodsk), Kostomukshsky Nature Reserve.
