Gåshällan

The place

A field station on a rocky island in the municipality of Närpes in Ostrobothnia (bordering Kristinestad), housed in the former Gåshällan coast-guard station. Run by the association Luontoasema Gåshällan ry since spring 2006. Metsähallitus leases the area to Skepparklubben Närpes ry, which has been based there since 1970. The pilot's cottage (Luotsimökki) dates from 1909 and is still standing, although the Gåshällan pilot station itself closed in 1968. The island is part of the Natura 2000 network: most of it is a bird sanctuary with restricted access during the nesting period, from 1 May to 15 July. An important educational and recreational site for the region.