Bird watching IN NORWAY

Northern Goshawk  -  a powerful bird of prey
Tekstboks: There are several good areas that one can visit in Trondheim. There is an active ornithological group, and the headquarters of the Norwegian Ornithological Society can be found at Selbu where you could always phone for the latest birding information. Some of the better localities where one can watch birds include Grilstadfjære, Gaulosen, Ilsvikøra and Leinøra to name a few. I will be concentrating on Gaulosen in this section. Gaulosen is one of the largest freshwater deltas in the country and is of great importance for the regions birdlife. The area has been subject to a great deal of pressure from landfills and other plans that would destroy habitat, but now most of the area including Leinøra is  fully protected. Both Red-throated and Black-throated Diver have been recorded, though numbers are never high. Members of the grebe family can also turn up with Little Grebe being seen April 2003. Greylag Goose and Pink-footed Goose pass through the area each year while other "grey geese" such as Bean Goose and Greater White-fronted Goose can turn up during the main migration periods, numbers however are never high. Both Barnacle and Brent Geese migrate along the county coastline and can at times wander inland.  During early spring the first Common Shelduck turn up in the area. Eurasion Wigeon and Common Teal are also on the move and flocks in varying numbers join the local Mallard population. Spring is also a good time to look out for Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Garganey and Northern Shoveler. Tufted Duck are not uncommon but check the flocks for Greater Scaup, this species has been recorded if not every year. Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter and Velvet Scoter can be seen on passage most years, while species like Surf Scoter, though recorded, must be regarded as rare. Common Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser are present most of the year while Goosander and Smew can turn up during the colder months. The large numbers of birds to be found in the area often attract birds of prey with Northern Goshawk and Eurasian Sparrowhawk being the ones most likely to be seen. Waders are found in good numbers and the locality often produces the odd rarity or two. Over 30 species of wader have been recorded in the area. Little-ringed Plover are often seen during the summer months, but it is usually the autumn migration that is of most interest. Such species as Little and Temminck's Stints join the commoner species. Great Snipe and Broad-billed Sandpiper are seen from time to time, and are undoubtedly amongst the more interesting waders that breed in Norway. Long distance rarities to have been reported include such highlights as White-rumped Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Terek Sandpiper just to name a few. Members of the Skua family are seen from time to time and gulls are usually present in good numbers with the chance of the odd rarity like the Bonaparte's Gull that was recorded in 1999. Both Common and Arctic Terns are present during the summer months. Rarer terns to have been reported include both Whiskered Tern and Black Tern.  As one would expect, the area also has a good passerine migration. Most of the commoner Norwegian species can be seen and by spring things are on the move. Check the coastal meadows around the Tindve area for such species as Sky Lark, Whinchat and Northern Wheatear. By May most of the warblers that can be found in the area should be singing. There is always a chance of Sedge and Icterine Warbler while the commonest Sylvia warblers will be Common Whitethroat and Blackcap. Finches too are represented with a selection of the commoner species with Twite and summer plumaged Brambling maybe being of most interest to the visiting birder. The area has a lot more to offer than the few species I have mentioned here and there is always a chance of something rarer turning up. How to get there: To get to the Leinøra area it is best to follow route 707 while Gaulosen is best reached by following route 39 to Øysanden. Once in these areas there are several paths to follow. Click here for map    

Trondheim