Foregross!
Finland’s popular beaches are grappling with an overwhelming presence of goose droppings, turning sunny spots into something of a nuisance. Sunscreen applications are being interrupted, as staff members try to navigate the extensive mess.
Hietu Beach in Helsinki has become a hotspot for barnacle geese, with thousands arriving to escape the intense summer heat. A report notes this influx has made the beach quite the challenge to maintain.
“There could be a shocking amount of poop,” said Juccaland Glen, who manages the public beaches in Helsinki. He mentioned that they’re dealing with more than 40 pounds of bird waste daily.
Lundgren, who has spent nearly two decades trying to keep the beach from turning into a dumping ground, stated his team is constantly searching for better methods to manage the increasing mess left behind by these birds.
This year, beach staff created wheeled cages that resembled lawnmowers to help sift through the sand and remove droppings. However, these contraptions are currently out of commission, as maintenance crews found them too difficult to drag through wet sand.
“That’s not a bad job,” offered Minnie Acco, the crew leader, but acknowledged it was not her favorite task.
Other approaches were attempted as well, like mixing the droppings into the sand or using Sea Eagle Calls to deter the geese. Ultimately, bringing in trained patrol dogs was deemed too pricey.
This ongoing issue has become a headache for sunbathers and families seeking to enjoy their summer days. Locals often find themselves having to clean the sandy and grassy areas before they can relax and soak in the sun.
Last July, experts estimated that around 5,300 geese were present in the Helsinki area.
