Signilskär Bird Observatory

Signilskär Bird Observatory sits on a remote island in Finland's Åland archipelago, where researchers have studied migrating birds for nearly a century rather than the stars overhead.

About Signilskär Bird Observatory

Unlike most sites listed on star-register.eu, Signilskär is an ornithological research station, not an astronomical one: its work focuses on tracking migratory birds passing through the westernmost islands of Finland's Åland region.

History

Established in 1927, Signilskär is Finland's oldest bird observatory, with nearly a century of continuous ornithological research behind it. The island sits within the Signilskär-Märket Ramsar wetland site, protected since 1974, and is also designated part of the Natura 2000 network.

Location & getting there

Signilskär lies among the Åland Islands, off Finland's south-western coast in Europe, in a remote and protected stretch of archipelago.

Visiting Signilskär Bird Observatory

As a protected research site focused on bird migration, access is limited and best confirmed with the organisations that manage the reserve before planning a visit.

See your named star from here

Though Signilskär's researchers train their attention on birds rather than stars, the remote Åland archipelago's dark, unpolluted skies are a fine backdrop for finding a named star yourself: every star named through star-register.eu comes with real coordinates you can look up from anywhere on Earth. Browse our star catalogue or our naming packages to name a star of your own.