When will the eiders return to Hanko in 2012?

The first migrationg eiders in the archipelago truly mark the onset of spring. Studies made at the Hanko Bird Observatory -on the southwestern tip of the Finnish mainland- show that eider migration is highly influenced by winter conditions. If the winter has been warm, eiders turn up already in February, and if the winter has been very cold, they might wait until the first week in April. The sea ice is the main factor here - a very severe ice-winter means a very late return. Ice during winter also predicts breeding success of eiders. Results from studies by the Aronia (Coastal Research Team) eider-team show that warm winters with less ice give good circumstances for a successful breeding season by females in good condition at the onset of egg laying.
The Hanko Bird Observatory and the Aronia eider-team now opens the second annual eider quiz!
Simply guess the date the first eiders in spring plumage turn up in Hanko in the spring of 2012!

We give away grand prizes for those who enter the best guesses - two birdbooks, two t-shirts from the Bird Observatory, and a day-trip with a guide to the Observatory (you will have to come to Hanko by your own, though!)
The Bird Observatory has a year-round lookout for birds - in 2011, the first eiders flew by on March 9. Good Luck!

Enter your guess on the link:
https://elomake.helsinki.fi/lomakkeet/31092/lomake.html
The dead-line is 10.1.2012!

More about Tringa rf
More about the Hanko Bird Observatory
There is more info on the life of the eider to be downloaded from the Observatory's publication list (items # 56 and 76), and please check out the Aronia homepage for more news!