norddal

Bird watching IN NORWAY

Icterine Warbler, just one of several members of warbler that can be found during the summer months.

Tekstboks: The municipality of Norddal is yet another area that one can explore, be it the surrounding mountains or the woodlands alongside the three main fjords in the area, Norddalsfjord, Tafjord and Sunnylivsfjord. As one would expect, a number of water birds have been recorded in the area. Both Red-throated and Black-throated Divers have been seen, mostly during migration periods. During August the first Great Cormorants can be seen along the fjords. This is not the only "seabird" that can be found. Common Eiders can also be found, and in 1999 a female was seen with three young at Kastebukta near Fjøra. Other wildfowl that can be encountered include , Common Teal, Mallard, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser and Goosander. During the last few years both White-tailed Eagle and Peregrine Falcon have been moving back into the district while both Rough-legged Buzzard and Common Kestrel can be found when rodent numbers in the mountains are high. European Oystercatcher and Common Sandpiper can be seen along the fjords, while Northern Lapwing and Eurasian Curlew prefer areas of farmland. Mountain habitats can produce such species as European Golden Plover and Dotterel, both preferring dryer areas, while areas of mountain wetlands can hold both Common Snipe and Common Redshank. While in the mountains also look out for Horned Lark, Bluethroat, Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting Like the neighbouring municipality of Stronda, the woodlands hold a good selection of the commoner Scandinavian species, as well as one or two other interesting birds. Three-toed Woodpecker has been recorded in the region, and though this species is uncommon in the north west of Norway, it may be worth checking areas with mature spruce. The two most common woodpeckers are Green and Great-spotted, though White-backed Woodpecker also seems to have a healthy breeding population. Another species that has a healthy breeding population is the White-throated Dipper, some of Norway's highest breeding densities have been recorded in the region. Many of the commoner species can be found in abundance. Check areas of farmland for Whinchat, this species often sits on fences by the roadside. An early morning woodland walk can also give results, if only for the commoner species like Fieldfare and Redwing. Common Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers will have arrived by April, while such species as Icterine Warbler, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Pied Flycatcher and Spotted Flycatcher will be about a month later. Amongst the 8 species of tit that have been seen in the area you may also see Crested and Coal Tit, and remember, the Long-tailed Tit is the Scandinavian subspecies, look for the all white head. Both Eurasian Nuthatch and Common Treecreeper can also be found, and like the Long-tailed Tit, the Eurasian Nuthatch is also a subspecies. As one would expect the woodlands hold a good selection of finch with Brambling breeding as high as the tree line. Another species that can be found at this height, and above, is the Twite. Back in lower areas of woodland it is the Common Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Siskin and Common Redpoll that are the dominant species. Also Norddal has had its share of rare species. One of the more interesting was a Night Heron near Tafjord 15th June 1989. So like I said at the start of this page, the area is worth exploring. You never know what can turn up. How to Get There: The area is easily reached from both Ålesund and Åndalsnes. From Ålesund it is about 70 km. You can follow the main highway towards Spjelkavik, and then onto Sjøholt. From here you follow route 650 towards Stordal - Liabygda - Valldal. To get to Norddal you have to take the ferry from Linge - Eidsdal, from here it is a short drive to Norddal. From Åndalsnes you follow route 63, up the famous Trollstigen, over the mountain road and down to Valldal, here you can turn off and head for Fjørå and Tafjord or carry on for the ferry crossing at Linge.
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Norddal