aukra

Bird watching IN NORWAY

Northern Shoveler, one of the more scarcer dabbling ducks to have been recorded.

Tekstboks: Situated on the Romsdal coast, the municipality covers the island Gossen and the mainland section Julsundet, an area of only 58,5 sq.km. Gossen is so to say flat, but to get the best views you can climb Storklauva. At 320 m.a.s.l. this is the highest point on the island giving great views of the surrounding region. The coastline offers a mixture of rugged scenery and shallow bays. The west side of the island is of special interest. Here you will find two nature reserves, Røabukta and Hjertvikbukta. Both have an interesting botanical fauna as well as being an important wintering area and stopover point for several species. Other localities away from the coast include the freshwater lake Smågevatnet and the woodland area called Aukraskogen This mixed woodland has both deciduous and coniferous trees, providing habitats for several species. Being a coastal site there is always a good chance of seeing members of the Diver family with the month of May being a good time of the year. Red-necked Grebe have been recorded during the winter months, while seawatching could produce some of the commoner species like Fulmar or Northern Gannet. Several of the outlying islands are seabird reserves. Here you can find such species as breeding Shag and Greylag Goose. Other members of the geese family are usually seen just on passage and every spring and autumn flocks of Barnacle and Brent Geese will pass by along the coast. Dabbling ducks can be found in varying numbers. Both Eurasian Wigeon and Common Teal are migrants to the area while the Mallard is resident. Tufted Duck has breed, so check freshwater localities. The resident flocks of Common Eiders vary in numbers with an increase during late autumn. By spring the resident birds are well into their breeding season while Long-tailed Ducks and Velvet Scoters are eager to leave their wintering quarters and head for their breeding grounds. White-tailed Eagle numbers are soaring if you excuse the pun, so keep your eyes open for Norway’s largest bird of prey. Other raptors to have been recorded, and that should be of interest to the visiting birder, include Northern Goshawk. Two species to be found on the island that won’t be two happy wit the presence of such a powerful bird of prey are Black Grouse and Capercaillie. By May both of these species will be leking, a great experience, if you are willing to sleep outdoors for the night, and wake-up before the crack of dawn. Of all the species to be recorded on Aukra it is maybe the Corncrake that is the most in danger. Numbers have dwindled through the years, and this one time common species is now somewhat of a rarity. Thanks to the mild coastal climate, some waders like Eurasian Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover may spend the winter. Otherwise numbers increase as spring unfolds with such species as European Golden Plover and Northern Lapwing joining them. Coastal sites will often produce small numbers of the Calidris waders. Most species are on their way north though small numbers of Dunlin remain on the island to breed. Both Whimbrel and Eurasian Curlew also breed with coastal marshes being favoured sites. Lakes and ponds are worth checking. Common Snipe and Common Redshank can usually be found. One wader that could be of interest is the Green Sandpiper, this dainty Tringa has been recorded breeding, though I should think that it is not an annual occurrence. Of the Skua family it is only Arctic that have been recorded breeding, though some sea-watching during mid spring or mid autumn could produce some, if not all of the other family members. Breeding numbers of Gulls vary, with some showing decline during the past years. Black-footed Kittiwakes breed in the area and both Common and Arctic Tern can be found. Black Guillemot are not uncommon and can be seen throughout the year while other members of the Auk family can be seen on passage. Both White-backed Woodpecker and Lesser-spotted Woodpecker are two species of woodpecker that should be of interest for the visiting birder. Check the coastal meadows for such species as Sky Lark, Whinchat and Northern Wheatear. By May most of the warblers that can be found in the area should be singing. There is always a chance of Sedge and Icterine Warbler while the commonest Sylvia warblers are well represented with Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat and Blackcap just to name a few. Finches too are represented with most of the commoner species found breeding including Brambling, a stunning finch in breeding plumage. The island is possibly under watched but none the less some interesting species have been recorded through the years. These include Northern Shoveler, Spotted Crake, Iceland and Little Gull and breeding Great Grey Shrike. How To Get There: To get to the island you have to take the ferry from Hollingsholmen which is situated on route 662. Hjertvika is shown on the map.
Click here for map.

Aukra

Keep an eye open for White-tailed Eagle.

Arctic Skua breed on some of the outlying islands.

Europe’s most threatened woodpecker - the White-backed Woodpecker has been recorded on the island.

Accommodation

Aukra Hotell