Bird watching IN NORWAY

Lapland Longspur can be found at Grånosmyrane
Tekstboks: Voss - Mountains, Woodlands and Marshlands: Situated between the mighty Sogn and Hardanger fjords, Voss is an ideal place for bird watching. Here the visiting bird watcher can chose between three main habitats, mountains, woodlands and marshlands, all of which have something to offer.  The - Mountains: Here you will find Rock Ptarmigan, European Golden Plover and Ring Ouzel in most areas. For some of the more interesting species the Mjølfjell area is worth a visit. For those prepared to walk the three hours or so, the Grånosmyrane nature reserve offers such attractions as Purple Sandpiper, Dotterel and Lapland Longspur, while there is always a chance of seeing Rough-legged Buzzard, or the rarer Gyr Falcon. The lower woodlands around Mjølfjell could provide such species as Grey-headed Woodpecker while during the summer months Common Redstart and Pied Flycatcher can be found. Checking the tree line could produce Willow Grouse, Lesser-spotted Woodpecker and Brambling. How to get there:  From Voss follow route 13 towards Granvin. After a few kilometers you will see the road sign for Mjølfjell, from here it is about a 30 km drive. You can also take the train to Mjøjfjell and walk from the station. Click here for map. The - Woodlands: Though there are huge areas of woodland in the district, some areas are better than others. One of the better areas is Brandset, Here you will find natural woodlands, and a good selections of paths. These woodlands are home the home for many specialized species that are dependent on coniferous woodlands. Norway's largest game bird, the Capercaillie can be found throughout the year. Both the Common Crossbill and the Parrot Crossbill can be found, though numbers may vary, as both are dependent on a good pinecones harvest. There is also a chance to see some of the rarer woodpeckers like Eurasian Wryneck and White-backed Woodpecker. Owls are a little harder, and most involve an "night time" excursion. From the month of May you maybe able to hear and see Tengmalm's Owl. Once again however, food supply is the important factor, if rodent numbers are low, then the owls can be hard to find. Other than the above named species the area holds a good selection of the commoner species that can be found in the district. From late spring the Tree Pipits call can be heard through out the area, as can Fieldfare and Redwing. Climb up to the tree line and you could see another member of the thrush family, the Ring Ouzel.  How to get there:  Follow the road from Voss towards Gudvangen. Here you will see the signpost for Brandset. This road leads into the heart of the area where you can chose many of the woodland paths. Click here for map The - Marshlands The marshlands at Voss are probably the best places to bird watch. There are several good sites, but Reppen or Lønaøyane as it is also known is probably the best. There is a marked trail and observation hide that gives you good views over the area. With the first signs of spring, and the returning migrants, this wetland area becomes alive with activity. Mallard, Common Teal and Eurasian Wigeon all breed in the area, while Northern Shoveler, Gadwall and Gargeney are seen most years. Out on the lake both Tufted Duck and Common Goldeneye continually dive for food, while the Red-breasted Merganser and Goosander fish on the river, or the shallow bays. The Northern Lapwing is one of the first returning waders, and is quickly joined by both Common Snipe and Eurasian Curlew. Other waders to be seen include Common Redshank, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper, the latter as a breeding species now and then. Spring is a hectic time on the delta and the surrounding woodlands. Woodpeckers are not uncommon with both Green and Great-spotted Woodpecker being the most likely to be seen. Though Grey-headed Woodpecker, Lesser-spotted Woodpecker and White-backed Woodpecker have all been recorded, their breeding status in the area is unsure. Eurasian Wryneck, though scarce is seen most years, especially in the trees around the museum. Check out the Sand Martin colony in the cracks of the walls on one of the museum buildings. There are not that many "wall" nesting Sand Martin colonies in Norway, let alone in Europe. Both Meadow Pipit and Tree Pipit can be found. White Wagtail are common with most Yellow Wagtail observations being in the spring. Grey Wagtail turns up from time to time with most observations during late summer when young birds from nesting sites around Voss venture out. White-throated Dipper can be seen, often preferring the two main rivers that run through the delta. Though Bluethroat nest in suitable habitats around Voss, the species is usually not recorded until late summer. Whinchat however is usually abundant with several pairs in the area. April brings with it the first flocks of thrush. Fieldfare past through in their hundreds with counts of 900 plus in some years. Redwing and Song Thrush breed while both Mistle Thrush and Ring Ouzel can turn up early in the spring. By the month of May Icterine Warblers are singing from the tops of small trees and bushes, while, well hidden in the scrub, both Blackcap and Garden Warbler try to out-sing each other. Both Spotted and Pied Flycatcher can be seen while the tit family are represented with six species. Both Eurasian Nuthatch and Eurasian Treecreeper can be found with the area around the museum being a favoured spot. Eurasian Jay is resident through the year while Nutcracker is recorded mostly in flight over the reserve during the autumn months. Of the more interesting finches, Brambling breed though numbers seem to vary. Twite are usually present, often feeding along the roadside. Both Common and Parrot Crossbill have been recorded, the later being the rarest.  Common Rosefinch has been seen in the area with most sightings during May. Both Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting can be found in varying numbers. Through the years several interesting and rare species have been recorded some of these like Great White-Heron, Eurasian Hobby, Grey Phalarope and Rose-coloured Starling have only been recorded once, so the unexpected can turn up, and the area is well worth a visit. How to get there: Follow the main E16 road from Voss towards Gudvangen. On reaching the large waterfall at Tvinde camping there is a road to your right that is signposted Nesheim and Nedkvitne. Follow this road until you reach the Nesheim Museum (worth a visit in its own right). From here access to the reserve is signposted. Click here for map

Voss

Just some of the species of Owl to be found in Voss  - with  the largest  - Eagle Owl at the top

Reppen  -  From the Museum

Just some of the rarities to be recorded at Reppen.

From the top:  Great White Heron, Grey Phalarope. Rose-coloured Starling and Common Rosefinch
Tekstboks: Interesting in seeing some of the area’s more interesting species. If you need a guide, then just send me an e-mail

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Tekstboks: N B R Tekstboks: Bird And Drive Tekstboks: Voss is on the Norwegian Birding Route. Click here for more information

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