Bird watching IN NORWAY

Common Buzzard have been recorded in Tysnes but they must be regarded as rare
Tekstboks: The small community of Tysnes lies in the southern part of the county. This one time island is now connected to the mainland by the Lukksund bridge and covers an area of 255 sq. km. Protected from the open sea by the island of Stord, Tysnes lies in the shelter of the fjords with Bjørnafjorden to one side and the mouth of the Hardangerfjord on the other. This sheltered location and the mild winter climates are one of the reasons that most of the island is covered in lush vegetation. Here you will find areas of deciduous woodlands and coastal pine forests, many lakes and areas of productive farmland, this range of habitats provide the visiting birder with a host of opportunities, and it is just a case of exploring the country side in the hope of finding some of the 150+different species that have been recorded in Tysnes. Three species of Diver have been recorded, but the amount of observations are low, so all members of this family must be classed as rare. Great Cormorant can be seen from time to time, though the winter period is best when numbers can reach a 150+birds, especially in the north of the borough, where you can find shallow coastal stretches. A small selection of wildfowl has been recorded, though numbers are never high, and some members of the family, like Whooper Swan are mainly a winter visitor. Greylag Geese can be seen both during the spring and autumn migrations with a few birds staying on to breed. Eurasian Wigeon and Common Teal and can be found from spring onwards, but usually move out of the area during late autumn. Both Mallard and Tufted Duck are however resident and can be found in suitable habitats. Small numbers of Common Eider can be seen from time to time, while Long-tailed Duck is mainly a winter visitor. Both Common and Velvet Scoter have been recorded, mostly during migration periods, and through the winter months. Common Goldeneye are not uncommon with the highest numbers during the winter. Red-breasted Merganser breeds in the area with numbers increasing during the winter months. Its close relation, the Goosander, though recorded must be classed as scarce, with only a few winter observations. Birds of prey are represented with 10 recorded species. Some of these like Common Buzzard and Osprey must be regarded as rare. White-tailed Eagle is on the increase in the county, with the species regularly being seen at Tysnes. Otherwise both Northern Goshawk and Eurasian Sparowhawk can be recorded while Rough-legged Buzzard can be found if the rodent population is high. Both Common Kestrel and Merlin have been seen during migration periods, though numbers are never high. Both Willow Grouse and Rock Ptarmigan have been recorded, but numbers seem to fluctuate. Though the Capercaillie population seems to be good, with the species finding the large areas of marine pine forest to its liking, the same can not be said for the Black Grouse. This species can be found both in woodland habitat as well as heathland but despite several good habitats there is only a sparse population. Rails and crakes are never common in the county and the same can be said for Tysnes. Winter observations of Water Rail have been made, while both Common Moorhen and Common Coot are not so common, and must be classed as rare with only one observation each. Corncrake is also rare with only one observation, but this species can be easily missed, and a nocturnal walk in the right type of habitat during May or June could give unexpected results. As Tysnes is set back from the main coast line, most of the waders that have been seen are species found either at freshwater sites or farmland and mountain habitat. Eurasian Oystercatcher are not uncommon along the coast with birds moving inland as the spring progresses. Autumn migration can bring with it small numbers of Ringed Plover and Dunlin while European Golden Plover most probably breeds in small numbers in suitable mountain habitat. Northern Lapwing can be found in some farmland habitat, but numbers are never high. All three species of snipe have been seen, unfortunately, both Jack Snipe and Great Snipe are rare with only one observation each. Common Snipe however can be found in wetland areas along with Common Redshank. There are single autumn observations of both Greenshank and Green Sandpiper, while Wood Sandpiper has been seen during the spring movements. Common Sandpiper is without a doubt the commonest of the waders that can be found, or have been seen at Tysnes. The last wader I would like to mention is Red-necked Phalarope, the species has been recorded, but like other wader mentioned here, it is rare with only one observation during 1981. Once a breeding species, numbers of Arctic Skua have decreased in the county, with the same trends being evident at Tysnes. Today the species must be classed as an uncommon visitor. The only other member of this family to have been recorded is Great Skua with a single bird ending its days on the 10.08.1953. If members of the skua family are rare, gulls are not. All of the commoner species can be found in good numbers with several breeding colonies on islands and skerries north of Våge. Both Common and Arctic Terns breed, but numbers are uncertain, with both species seeming to be on the decrease. Black Guillemot is also on the decrease, at one time a few pairs breed on the islands in the north, but today we are uncertain of its status. Otherwise Common Guillemot, Common Razorbill, Little Auk and Atlantic Puffin are recorded most autumn and winters in small numbers. There is suitable habitat for Eagle Owl at Tysnes, and the species can be found at other coastal sites in the county so keep this in mind. Tawny Owl is without a doubt the commonest of the owls while Hawk Owl, Short-eared Owl and Tengmalm's Owl, all being recorded once or twice. Another interesting group are woodpeckers. The many areas of coniferous and deciduous woodlands provide breeding sites and a food supply for these species. Though Eurasian Wryneck has decreased through the past few years the species has been seen on a small number of occasions. Both Grey-headed and Green Woodpecker are to be found with the later preferring areas of deciduous woods.  Numbers of Great-spotted Woodpecker can vary and there is a small population of the rare White-backed Woodpecker. Other than that Lesser-spotted Woodpecker has been seen. As one would expect, most of the commoner Scandinavian species have been seen, or can be found. This is a large group so I will only take some of the more interesting species. Common Redstarts can be found, with the species preferring higher areas of pine woodlands. Ring Ouzel breed in small numbers above the tree limit so keep an eye open if you are in this type of habitat. Lower down in the deciduous woodlands, Icterine Warbler can be heard singing from May. Also keep an ear open for Wood Warbler, though rare the species has been seen. Back in the pinewoods such species as Crested Tit can be found, while be on the lookout for both Common and Parrot Crossbill. Numbers vary, with both species being dependent on pinecone crops. Another species that can be seen in the tops of pine trees is the Nutcracker, though the best place to look is in areas with hazel trees, and especially in the autumn when the species starts hoarding nuts for the winter months.  How To Get There:  It takes about an hour and a half from Bergen. Follow route E.39 to Halhjem and take the ferry to Våge. This service runs about 10 times a day. Travelling south through Stord, you can take the ferry from Jektevik to Hodnanes. Or if you are arriving through Hardanger you follow route 49. Click here for map.

Tysnes

Black Grouse can be found in both woodland and heathland habitat.

Common Goldeneye can be found in varying numbers through the year.

Grey-headed Woodpecker  - one of the more interesting species for the visiting birder.

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