Bird watching IN NORWAY

Male Goosander  -  this species can often be seen on the river that flows through the valley.
Tekstboks: The municipal area of Vaksdal provides the visiting bird watcher with a range of habitats from the wood covered slopes, that drop off into deep fjords, to the high mountain habitats. Here you will find several interesting species that are well looking out for, and soon realize that the area is well worth exploring. The small nature reserve at Nesheim, at the head of the Eksinge Valley is as good as place as any to start. Not only for the nature reserve and its surrounding farmland, but also the woodlands and as an entrance to the Stølsheimen mountain range. Though the nature reserve is only small, several species can be found. The first Mallards arrive with the melting of the ice, and these are followed by Eurasian Wigeon and Common Teal. Goosanders can also be seen in the area, often on the river that flows out of the lake. Diving ducks are not common, but there is always a chance of both Tufted Duck and Common Goldeneye. Other species that can be encountered include Grey Heron, and during spring and autumn migrations, Greylag Geese pass over the area. Members of the wader family are represented by the commoner species. Common Redshank and Common Sandpiper find suitable habitat on the many small islands that make up part of the reserve, while Common Snipe can often be seen in more marshy ground around the lake. Both Northern Lapwing and Eurasian Curlew prefer the more cultivated areas and no doubt breed. Non breeding waders that pass through on their spring or autumn migrations include European Golden Plover, Greenshank and Green Sandpiper. The surrounding farmland holds a selection of the commoner species of passerine, spring is the best time to visit, just when the snow is melting and the first areas of grass start showing. Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, Ring Ouzel, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush and Redwing can all be seen feeding. Keep an eye open for Snow Bunting as well. By late spring most of these species have moved into the woodlands, or up the valley to the mountain. Whinchat can be seen sitting on fence posts, while Reed Bunting prefers small bushes in the more marshy areas. Check the river and the many small side streams for White-throated Dipper, if I had to pick a characteristic bird for this area, then the Dipper would win hands down. From April the woodlands are becoming alive with song. Here it is just a case of choosing a woodland path and exploring what the area has to offer. Species that have stayed through the winter have found suitable nest sites. Great-spotted Woodpeckers can be heard drumming from the depths of the woods, while the "laughing" call of the Green Woodpecker can be heard across the valley. By late April Fieldfares will be forming nesting colonies, while its near relatives, the Redwing and the Song Thrush can be heard calling, often from the top of a pine or other high tree. By May the true songsters have arrived, and it is not impossible to hear Icterine Warbler, Common Whitethroat and Blackcap all singing from different areas. It is however Willow Warbler that is the commonest member of the warblers. Other species that can be encountered along the way include Goldcrest, check areas of pinewood for this species. Spotted Flycatchers are often easier to find, and can be seen darting out from a fence wire or a post along the road. Thanks to the variety of woodlands, the number of species that can be found make the area well worth exploring. Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit and Great Tit can all be found. There are also Eurasian Nuthatch and Common Treecreeper in the area, the later shy, and sometimes hard to find while the Eurasian Nuthatch is noisy, often sat high in the branches of a tree, scolding you for disturbing his presence. Common Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Siskin should be the commoner members of the finch family that you will find. If you are lucky however you could just see Common or Parrot Crossbill. Numbers vary from year to year depending on the pinecone harvest. While in the valley keep an eye on the skyline.  Check little "black dots". Most probably they will only be Common Raven but if you are lucky then it could be a Golden Eagle. And lastly the mountains. As with most mountain habitats, snow conditions during the spring, and weather conditions during early summer play an important part in deciding which species will have a successful breeding season. Some species however can always be found. Two of these are Rock Ptarmigan and Common Raven. Other species such as Rough-legged Buzzard and Common Kestrel are more dependent on rodent numbers, while Merlin hunts small birds and can be seen from time to time. By summer the European Golden Plovers that were resting in the lowland areas are now in prime breeding plumage, their lonesome call drifting over the mountains. In areas with sparse vegetation look out for Northern Wheatear and Bluethroat, the males, a sight for sore eyes in their breeding plumage.  And lastly, Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting. Both species of high mountain habitat - something that there is plenty of at Stølsheim. How to get there: From Bergen follow route E16 to Dale. Keep on the main road for another three kilometer until you see a sign for Romarheim on your left. This is route 569 and will take you through Stamnes, on to Eidslandet, and up the Eksinge Valley. Once at Nesheim you will see a sign for Gullbrå. This will give you access to Stølsheim mountain area. Click here for map

Vaksdal

Check the sky’s for Golden Eagle

Reed Buntings arrive by April.

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Tekstboks: N B R Tekstboks: Bird And Drive

Vaksdal is on the Norwegian Birding Route. Click here for more information

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