Bird watching IN NORWAY

Snow Buntings can be found near rocky out-lets on the glacier.
Tekstboks: For the bird watcher wanting to experience the extremes in bird watching visit Jondal and the Folgefonn Glacier. Though you won't see many species, bird watching on, or near the glacier is a lifetimes experience. With the return of spring the Snow Bunting is one of the first species to find its way back to the icy slopes. Though numbers seem to vary, you will often hear this species before you see it. Its twittering call seeming to come from the depths of the glacier. Northern Wheatear, Ring Ouzel and Twite, can also be seen, though seem to prefer the lower areas where there is a sparse vegetation and small stunted trees and bushes. Common Raven are always lurking, and it is times when there is little else to watch, that studying this member of the crow family can be an fun and rewarding, especially if there is a pair or a small flock.Otherwise you could always have the chance of seeing some bird of prey. Golden Eagle and Rough-legged Buzzard have been seen in the area, while Norway's other eagle, the White-tailed is becoming a regular sight around the Hardangerfjord. Leaving the ice capped mountain behind you, you soon enter lush and green woodlands. The woodlands can be classed into three categories. The tree line, with its small mountain and silver birch, the coniferous woods and the deciduous woods along the shores of the fjord. Each of these habitats has something to offer. On the tree line look out for Lesser-spotted woodpecker this small woodpecker often prefers the higher areas. Other passerines that you can see include both Tree and Meadow Pipits, here their preferred habitats overlap, and separating the species is often easiest by listening to their calls. Two species that will follow you down the mountainside are both Fieldfare and Redwing, their numbers increasing as you descend. The areas of coniferous woods hold some interesting species, amongst them Capercaillie. Otherwise watch out for Norway's smallest bird the Goldcrest, as well as Crested and Coal Tits. Common Chaffinch should be one of the commoner members of the finch family, along with Siskin. Other than that keep a look out for Common Bullfinch. Members of the Crossbill family, both Common and Parrot vary in numbers and can be absent during some years. On reaching "fjord" level check the woodlands for such species as Icterine Warbler. Both Common Whitethroat and Blackcap can be seen from May onwards, as can Spotted and Pied Flycatchers. The fjord itself should hold some of the commoner species like Mallard and Red-breasted Merganser. Eurasian Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper and possibly Common Redshank will be the three waders that you are most likely to see. How To Get There:  From Norheimsund follow route route 49 to Torvikbygd. Here you will have to take a ferry across the fjord. If you are arriving from the east by route 7, then you can get a ferry from Kinsarvik and follow route 550. There is a road that takes you to the Folgefonn glacier. Regarding the glacier, remember they are dangerous. I would advise anyone wanting to explore this icy wilderness to hire a guide. Click here for map.

Jondal

Back to top

Accommodation