Dunnocks in Finland
When the Dunnock (Prunella modularis) is present in Finland, when it nests, and which native Finland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Finland
- Summer visitor
- Nesting season
- May–July
- Size
- 14 cm, 21 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect dunnocks in Finland
The Dunnock arrives in Finland in spring to breed and leaves again in autumn. Brief, bright summers; nesting is compressed into May–July.
Boreal continental, forested and lake-strewn.
Nesting in Finland
In Finland the Dunnock usually nests May–July. Nest site: cup deep in hedges or shrubs. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days; chicks fledge after 11–12 days, and pairs raise 2–3 per year.
- The Dunnock does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Finland plants for dunnocks
Of the native plants we track for Finland, these 8 provide food the Dunnock uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Catkin seed for Siskins and Redpolls; many caterpillars for tit broods.
Cones hold seed that Siskins and Goldfinches feed on all winter.
Hazelnuts for Nuthatches, Jays and Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
Pine seed for Coal Tits, Crested Tits and Crossbills.
Cone seed for Siskins and Coal Tits; Goldcrest nesting habitat.
Feeding in the garden
Insects and small seeds picked from the ground.
- Best foods: Sunflower hearts, Suet pellets, Crushed peanuts.
- Feeders: Ground tray.
- Shuffles mouse-like under feeders; scatter food near shrub cover.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are dunnocks in Finland all year?
No. The Dunnock is a summer visitor to Finland, arriving to breed and leaving in autumn.
When do dunnocks nest in Finland?
Typically May–July. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days, with 2–3 per year.
Which native plants help dunnocks in Finland?
Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Bramble, Silver birch, Alder, Hazel, Scots pine, Norway spruce are native to Finland and provide food or cover the Dunnock uses.
Dunnocks in other countries
Other garden birds in Finland
Sources
- Dunnock — RSPB bird guide
- Dunnock — BTO BirdFacts
- Finnish Bird Atlas — Finnish Museum of Natural History
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.