Bird watching IN NORWAY

Golden Eagle can be seen from time to time-
Tekstboks: Though only a small hamlet, the area can boast a good bird watching locality, and a great nature trail. The old railway line that connected Granvin with Voss has been disused for many years. The areas wildlife, and especially the bird life, soon found out that the railways embankments, with the rich vegetation, provided ideal habitat for breeding and a rich supply of food. Starting the walk from Granvin you soon past the last of the local farms, look out for Grey Wagtail on the many side streams that run into the Granvin River. On reaching the river outlet look out for both Common Goldeneye and White-throated Dipper, good views of both species can be had. Wildfowl species and numbers vary through the year though both Tufted Duck and Goosander can usually be found. The walk is delightful with a deep blue lake on one side and wood covered slopes on the other. From early spring drumming woodpeckers can be heard. The areas many dead and decaying trees providing this species with the right habitat. At the beginning of the walk, wood covered slopes dominate the scenery. This however soon turn into farmland, and such species as Meadow Pipit, Whinchat  keep you company along the walk. While walking through these different habitats, it is quite easy to forget checking the many trees and bushes along the railway embankment. Here such species as Icterine Warbler, Common Whitethroat and Blackcap can be lurking in the undergrowth, while both Pied and Spotted Flycatchers dart out in front of you, snapping insects from midair. On reaching Granvinsdelta areas of reed can be found. While Sand Martins hunt for insects over the reeds, the song of the male Reed Bunting may be heard. You have to look closely to find the bird, well hidden amongst the stems. Like most wetland areas, water levels play a great part in what birds can be seen. During the late spring when flood waters pour over the surrounding farmland good numbers of dabbling duck can be seen, with both Mallard and Common Teal being the commonest. During the summer months and the early autumn waders are usually present. Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank and Common Sandpiper can usually be found. While walking along the trail, always keep an eye on the mountain sides, seeing Golden Eagle, Rough-legged Buzzard or Peregrine Falcon can be the highlight of your walk.      How To Get There: Granvin is about 2 hours drive from Bergen. To reach Granvinsdelta you can follow the disused railway line/nature trail from Granvin, or drive towards Voss. After passing the small shop at Øvre Granvin you will see a signpost for Seim. Follow this road until you see the old railway line/nature trail. You can the follow this back to Nedre Vassenden and Granvin Click here for map Vallavik - The Fjord Road: Situated between Granvin and Ulvik the Vallavik area provides the visiting birder with an easy walk along the fjord. Here the winding road runs along side the shoreline that is strewn with large boulders. The woodlands along the fjord are some of the best in the area, here time and weather has been allowed to play its part, some of the trees that once stood proud, are nothing more than decaying remnants of better days. The mountains that form a back-drop are some of the most spectacular in the district, and in them selves make for a good days walk. However, on a walk along the "fjord road" you can set your own pace while watching a good selection of the commoner species on the fjord and in the woodlands, while at the same time, keeping an eye on the mountain tops for Golden Eagle and Rough-legged Buzzard. The Red-breasted Merganser can be characterized as the "common" species of duck on the fjord during most of the year, while Mallard and Common Goldeneye can be seen from time to time. At low tide some small areas of shoreline are exposed and both Eurasian Oystercatcher and Common Redshank can be seen. Otherwise it is Common and Herring Gulls that are usually the most numerous species in these small feeding areas. It is however the woodlands that hold the best selection of species. For the visiting birder the areas woodpeckers will be of most interest. Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers are the commonest. While Grey-headed and White-backed Woodpecker can be found in areas with plenty of aspen. Along the road you will also pass through several small farms where fruit farming provides the main income. Here such species as Whinchat, Pied Flycatcher and Common Bullfinch can be found, some feeding on the rich insect life, while others feeding on the buds and berries of the fruit trees. Otherwise such species as Redwing and Fieldfare breed along the roadside, the latter in noisy colonies. If you want to hear bird song then the months of May and June are the best. Several songsters can be heard from the harsh yet beautiful song of the Icterine Warbler to the melodious Blackcap. Seven members of the Tit family can be found. Blue and Great Tits are the commonest, while you may have to search the pine woodlands for the shyer Crested Tit. Both Eurasian Jay and the shyer Nutcracker can be found. Check areas with hazel woods for the latter. During late summer they start to harvest the nuts, and are often quiet noisy. Common Chaffinch can be found in lower woodland areas along the fjord, while the Brambling often prefers higher regions. Greenfinch are usually in good numbers, while Siskin and Common Redpoll numbers can vary from large mixed flocks to single birds. Another species that is usually present in varying numbers are both Common and Parrot Crossbills. Check areas of pine woods along the road and listen for their "chip-chip-chip" call. How To Get There: Situated after the tunnel and just off highway 572, Vallavik lies between Granvin and Ulvik. From Vallaviki you can follow the road to ways end past Djønno to Tjoflåt. Click here for map

Granvin

Grey-headed Woodpecker have been recorded, but numbers are never great.
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: Granvin is on the Norwegian Birding Route. Click here for more information

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