Treecreepers in Finland
When the Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris) is present in Finland, when it nests, and which native Finland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Finland
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- May–June
- Size
- 12.5 cm, 10 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect treecreepers in Finland
The Treecreeper lives in Finland all year round. Long, dark, snowy winters; feeding is a widespread national habit.
Boreal continental, forested and lake-strewn.
Nesting in Finland
In Finland the Treecreeper usually nests May–June. Nest site: behind loose bark or ivy. Clutches are 5–6 eggs, incubated for 14–15 days; chicks fledge after 15–16 days, and pairs raise 1–2 per year.
- The Treecreeper 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 treecreepers
Of the native plants we track for Finland, these 8 provide food the Treecreeper 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
Tiny insects from bark.
- Best foods: Suet smeared into bark.
- Feeders: Suet cage.
- Rarely at feeders — rub fat into rough bark.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are treecreepers in Finland all year?
Yes — the Treecreeper is resident in Finland all year.
When do treecreepers nest in Finland?
Typically May–June. Clutches are 5–6 eggs, incubated for 14–15 days, with 1–2 per year.
Which native plants help treecreepers in Finland?
Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Bramble, Silver birch, Alder, Hazel, Scots pine, Norway spruce are native to Finland and provide food or cover the Treecreeper uses.
Treecreepers in other countries
Other garden birds in Finland
Sources
- Treecreeper — RSPB bird guide
- Treecreeper — 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.