Metamorphosis of the Haltiala vernal pools

 

This spring many wetlands had more water than they usually do. We had a lot of snow this winter, and when it melted, many ponds and rivers overflowed their banks and vernal pools were created. Great circumstances for observing how the environment is changing over time, and what creatures are lurking there.

Common frog (Rana temporaria)

I want to share my experience from the nature conservation area Ruutinkoski by the Vantaanjoki river in Haltiala. This place is especially our target in spring because of the mating Common frogs (Rana temporaria). It´s possible to watch them very closely and listen to their breeding calls. We went there for the first time at the end of April. The area with wooden paths was so heavily flooded that many of the ways were unwalkable. In normal conditions, there are two small ponds which were at that time part of one great flood connected to the river, and unrecognizable as individual wetlands. 

It didn´t take a long time to find frogs, just to approach the shore. We spent quite a while there, observing the aquatic life. I think I succeeded to make some nice photos. Compared to the last year, the frogs might have started breeding a bit later because we were there approximately at the same time, and  unlike last year we didn´t see any frogspawn.

A month later, in the end of May, we came back. The water level decreased substantially from our previous visit. 

Me at the same spot

All the wooden paths were approachable and there were again two distinct ponds; but still, holding more water than the year before. I was trying to spot some tadpoles, but I didn´t encounter any signs of frog activity. I´m wondering if they could successfully make it. I hope so.

In the water, there were plenty of caddisflies larvae. I enjoy how their protective cases vary in different environment according to the available materials. At the Saimaa lake, where we go to cottage, caddisflies larvae use gravel for constructing. Here in Haltiala, their cases were made mainly from pieces of old reeds and other vegetation. They looked at the first sight very inconspicuous. 

Caddisfly larva (Trichoptera)

There were also larvae and adults of diving beetles, mosquito larvae, water lice, leeches, and water mites.

Diving beetle larvae (Dytiscidae)

The best surprise was a Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) brood. There were at least seven ducklings, but it was a bit challenging to count them as they were diving and dynamically moving back and forth. 

Goldeneye duckling (Bucephala clangula)

Meanwhile, their duck mum was calmly sleeping aside, only occasionally raising her head and checking on them. 

Goldeneye brood (Bucephala clangula)

In a clump of vegetation in the middle of a wetland there also was a female Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). She appared to have a brood there herself, but it was so concealed that it was difficult to see the ducklings.

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris)

Very good was a stop in the nearby café Wanha Pehtoori for coffee and munkki (Finnish donut). We bought them at the stand outside and then sat under the blooming apple trees. There was also an ice cream stand by the parking lot. I eventually tasted mint flavour which I planned to try already last summer, but somehow I always got tempted by other flavours. My evaluation is that I´m glad I cherished my curiosity and tried it. It was all right, but not a keeper.

Mint ice cream with chocolate chips