Bird watching IN NORWAY

Pink-footed Goose have been recorded during migration periods.
Tekstboks: One of the many islands along the counties coastline is Stord. This is a huge island archipelago that has been dealt into two municipal regions, Stord and Fitjar. Due to the size of the island there are several types of habitat offering the visitor a good choice of birding localities. With its 140 sq. km., the municipal borough of Stord covers the southern half of main island. Of this 10 sq. km. is farmland and 40 sq. km. is pine forest. Along its coastline there are several seabird colonies with good numbers of  breeding gulls and terns, so it is just a case of choosing a habitat. One good area to visit is  Sævarhagsvikjo. This shallow bay is just one of many on the east side of the island and has a good selection of the commoner species, plus that the odd rarity has turned up from time to time. Other wise the woodlands at Digerneset are well formed with mature forest and a rich bird life. Sævarhagsvikjo is tidal so timing is important. Both Great Cormorant and Shag have been recorded in the area with most sightings during the winter months. Wildfowl are well represented. Whooper Swan has been recorded, though rare, there is always a chance of this species until late spring. During spring and autumn large flocks of Greylag Geese travel along this part of the coast line, and its is not unusual for smaller numbers to land and rest. Pink-footed Goose has also been seen but this species must be regarded as rare. By spring the first small flocks of Eurasian Wigeon and Common Teal are joining the resident Mallards and Red-breasted Merganser. Common Shelduck can also turn up during the spring. Common Eider are resident while other ducks such as Tufted Duck, Greater Scaup,  Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter and Velvet Scoter have all been recorded. As with other localities along the coast White-tailed Eagle can be seen flying over the area so don't forget to look up from time to time. Other than that both Northern Goshawk and Eurasian Sparrowhawk could be seen. Members of the wader family are better represented with Eurasian Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover and Northern Lapwing being amongst the first to arrive during the spring. These are closely followed by Eurasian Curlew and Common Snipe and Common Redshank. It is these six species you are most likely to see during the summer months. Spring and autumn migrations are another matter, with a good chance of rarer waders like Little-ringed Plover turning up. European Golden Plover are not uncommon under both migration periods while Grey Plover is mostly seen during the autumn. The autumn is also the best time for Red Knot, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper and Dunlin. These species are seen most years in varying numbers, while other small waders like Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone and Sanderling, though recorded must be classed as uncommon. Looking at some of the larger waders. Ruff numbers are always at their best during the autumn while such species as Bar-tailed Godwit,  Whimbrel and Greenshank can be seen during both spring and autumn movements. Tringa waders such as Spotted Redshank, Wood Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper have been recorded though not annually. Arctic Skua is seen most years, while of the rarer gulls and terns, Little Gull, Iceland Gull and Sandwich Tern are the most interesting to have been recorded. Moving from the coast and into woodland habitat, Digerneset in the south-corner of Stord is well worth a visit. By spring the woodlands come alive with activity. Eurasian Woodcock can be seen "roding" and Tawny Owls can be heard calling at dusk, while dawn will produce "drumming" woodpeckers and the start of the dawn chorus.  The diversity of the woodlands with mature and dying trees provides many species with food and nest sites. Though numbers seem to vary, Eurasian Wrynecks have been seen on Stord, and can turn up in any area. Of the woodpeckers, it is both Grey-headed and White-backed Woodpeckers that will be of most interest to the visiting bird watcher. Both of these species are selective regarding choice of habitat and nest site. Both Great and Lesser-spotted Woodpeckers have been seen on Stord, so keep an eye open for these species too. Bird watching in woodlands can be difficult, with many of the birds being heard and not seen. Tree Pipit is often one of these species, singing well hidden in the tops of the trees. One species that will be easier to find is the Fieldfare. This species often forms noisy nesting colonies, while its close relative the Redwing is a lot shyer. By May most of the songsters have arrived. Such species as Blackcap and Common Whitethroat will prefer areas of deciduous woods, while another fine songster, the Pied Flycatcher can be found in both deciduous and coniferous habitats. How To Get There:  Sævarhagsvikjo lies about 3 km north of Leirvik. Follow the road past Hystad towards Rommetveit. You will see a signpost for Tyneset, follow this road down to the parking area. From here you can explore the area. Digerneset is situated in the south west of Stord. There is a road over Geitåsen between Digernes and Valvatnavågen. Map