Finland – Forests and Forestry

Finland - Forests and Forestry

Forest resources Finland is Europe’s most heavily-forested country. Forests as defined by the FAO cover 23 million hectares or 74.2% of the land area. In Europe, Finland is a “forest giant”, there being over sixteen times more forest per capita than in European countries on average. Finland’s forests have been intensively harvested over the last … Read more

Lycopodium Obscurum – Ground Pine – Lycopodiaceae (Clubmoss Family)

Ground Pine

Description General – Perennial from extensively rooting, deep creeping rhizomes; stems erect, 7 – 30 cm tall, unbranched towards the base, densely branched above, bushy, tree-like. Leaves – Many, dense, in 6 (sometimes to 8) vertical rows, sharp-pointed, linear-lance-shaped. Spore Clusters – in axils of greenish to yellowish brown, pointed, broadly egg-shaped bracts densely clustered … Read more

Cathartes Aura – Turkey Vulture

Cathartes Aura - Turkey Vulture

Distinguishing Features – Sexes similar. Large, broad-winged. Long and rounded tail. Plumage, dark brown except for paler flight feathers. Head, red, small, unfeathered. Longish, hooked yellow bill. Rather short, thick reddish legs. Holds wings in a dihedral angle while soaring and gliding. Size – average: 63.5 – 81 cm (25 – 32 in) Habitat The … Read more

Corvus Corax – Common Raven

Corvus Corax - Common Raven

Distinguishing Features – Completely black with purplish or violet reflections, most pronounced on back wings and tail. Male and female indistinguishable but female is slightly smaller. Size – 56 – 67 cm (22.5 – 26.75 in) Habitat Widespread; prefers wide open spaces for foraging and woodlots for nesting; anywhere with an easily accessed supply of … Read more

Corvus Brachyrhynchos – American Crow

Corvus Brachyrhynchos - American Crow

Distinguishing Features – Completely black with greenish or violet reflections, most pronounced on back wings and tail. Male and female indistinguishable but female is slightly smaller. Size – 43 – 53 cm (17.25 – 21.25 in) Habitat Widespread; prefers open spaces for foraging and woodlots for nesting; anywhere with an easily accessed supply of food. … Read more

Nyctea Scandiaca – Snowy Owl

Nyctea Scandiaca - Snowy Owl

Distinguishing Features – As large as the Great Horned Owl but lacks ear tufts. Overall colouration white, barred and spotted with brownish accents. Face, completely white; eyes, large, yellow; legs and toes, heavily feathered. Male is usually white or only lightly marked. Female (pictured below) is somewhat larger and more heavily marked than the male. … Read more

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Bubo Virginianus - Great Horned Owl

Distinguishing Features – One of the largest of Canadian owls. Overall coloration brown with white and blackish highlights. Chest; lighter. Large, yellow eyes ringed in brownish-orange. Beak, black. Prominent ear tufts. Female is somewhat larger than male. Size: Male: 46 – 58.5 cm (19.5 – 23.5 in) Female: 56 – 63 cm (22.5 – 25.25 … Read more

Pandion Haliaetus – Osprey

Pandion Haliaetus - Osprey

Distinguishing Features – Large, long-winged; dark brown above and white below with a white head and a prominent dark eye stripe. Bill brownish-black, blue at the base and margin; cere light blue. Iris yellow. Feet pale greyish-blue, tinged with brown; claws black. The male is usually all white below whereas the female has a necklace … Read more