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Reed Bunting

Emberiza schoeniclus

Reed bunting perched on a sedge strand. Photo Aaro Toivio.

General information. The reed bunting thrives in open areas, semi-open brushwood as well as in reed beds. It thrives close to wetlands, beaches and ditch edges. Long term surveys indicate that the nesting population in Finland has remained stable for roughly the past 20 years.

  • Length 15 cm
  • Nests on the ground under vegetation cover
  • Migrates to western and southern Europe for the winter.
  • Small groups of reed bunting have also been found recently wintering in vast reed belts along the south and west coast of Finland. Feeds mainly on insects but also takes seeds, buds and plant material

Habitat. The reed bunting is a common nester in reed beds. It can also be found nesting in willow- and birch thickets in wetlands and along waterfronts.

Distribution in Vaasa. The thriving of the reed bunting species has been concentrated to areas which are in close proximity to water bodies. The largest uniform nesting areas are located outside the city, especially in the reed beds by Utterö in Sundom. Closer to the city it can be observed in the bird conservation area in the Eteläinen Kaupunginselkä-bay or by the waterfront of Onkilahti, for example. The reed bunting has been recorded in about 100 survey blocks in Vaasa.