The diet of a brown bear in Finland, as in other northern areas, is mainly omnivorous and varies seasonally. Brown bears are opportunistic eaters and their diet includes a wide variety of foods depending on the season. Here's an overview of what a brown bear might eat in Finland.

Not only the eating pattern but also the behavioral pattern is of interest. After all, behavior determines how the bear presents itself and thus develops the basis of the motifs that you can photograph while bear spotting .

Spring (April to June):

• Grass and Plants: In early spring, brown bears emerge from hibernation as vegetation begins to grow. They feed on fresh grass, sedges and other green plants to replenish their energy after the long winter.
• Ants: Brown bears are known for digging up ant nests and eating both ants and their larvae during this season.

Summer (June to August):

• Berries: Finland is abundant in berries such as blueberries, lingonberries and cloudberries. Brown bears are particularly fond of these fruits and will actively seek them out.
• Small Mammals: Bears can also prey on small mammals such as rodents, which provide an additional source of protein.
• Fish: In areas near bodies of water, brown bears will fish for species such as salmon and trout.

Autumn (September to November):

• Berries: Bears continue to eat berries during the early part of the fall season.
• Nuts and Acorns: In some forested areas of Finland, bears may forage for nuts and acorns that have fallen from trees.
• Fish: Bears may intensify their fishing activities in the fall, especially during salmon season.
• Bait: As bait becomes more available, brown bears may find bait in the form of carcasses of large animals such as elk or deer.

Late Autumn (November to December):

• Pre-hibernation feeding: Brown bears enter a period of hyperphagia, during which they eat voraciously to build up fat reserves for hibernation. During this time they will consume a variety of foods including berries, nuts and carrion.

Winter (December to March):

• Hibernation: Brown bears in Finland go into hibernation during the coldest winter months. During hibernation they do not eat or drink, relying on their stored fat reserves for nutrition.

It is important to note that brown bears are adaptable and can change their diet based on local food availability. In areas where human food sources are easily accessible, bears may also develop a preference for human waste, which can lead to conflict between humans and bears. Conservation efforts often focus on minimizing these conflicts and promoting the natural diet of bears to ensure their survival and the health of the ecosystem.

ADVICE : Never leave food scraps or food packaging in nature. Animals can become entangled or even suffocate or become ill. In the case of a so-called predator such as the bear, it is also in your own interest not to attract the bear with scents that are interesting to it. An unexpected encounter can quickly develop into a conflict and the bear can still become dangerous to you.