Did you know that in Lapland there are many more reindeer than people living here? The reindeer population is about 200,000. Most reindeer roam freely but they all belong to the herders. Reindeer are born in May or June; they drop their antlers every year over the winter. They regrow them again the spring at the incredible rate of about 2cm a day! Their favourite food is lichen that grows on the forest floor, they also eat birch leaves and mushrooms. When they come to Foxfires, they really love eating the leaves of our wild growing rowen trees and rosebay willowherb.
Autumn is reindeer mating season so be careful as big males might be a bit aggressive. So it is best to give them a wide berth. Their antlers are now at full size and drop the soft velvet covering to reveal sharp hard weapons used to intimidate and fight other males. Autumn is also the time when the herders round up the reindeer, to be counted and checked by a vet. In the past they would have taken them south to find food. In this modern world with roads and cars it is now safer to keep them in fenced enclosures until the spring.
Where can you see a reindeer?
If you visit Lapland before or after the peak of winter, chances are you will see reindeer roaming the area. In summer and autumn you can see them almost everywhere in Lapland, they even wonder around Levi village centre. You can meet them on top of Levi hill or by the road where they feed on fresh greens whilst getting away from the mosquitoes (remember to drive with caution). In deep winter there is a lot of snow in Lapland, so it’s difficult for reindeers to find food naturally. That’s why they are with the herders, who feed them through the winter. You might see a reindeer in a wild in deep winter but most probably you will need to book a reindeer experience.
In winter Foxfires has daily visits of red squirrels, arctic hares, woodpeckers, Siberian jay and many other birds. Reindeer are visiting our garden from May to November and often we see a reindeer looking through our windows at us. Follow us on Instagram to see who is visiting our garden @levifoxfires
The day we finished the final draft of the first edition of "Our winter guide to Levi Lapland" e-book, this little white baby reindeer spent the whole day in our garden with his mum and sister.
For more information about Lapland's wildlife refer to our comprehensive Lapland guide.
Also if you plan a trip to Lapland, our Lapland guide will save you time and reduce stress whilst planning your trip.
Happy reading
Aggie, Paul & Gooseberry
