Bird watching IN NORWAY

Gadwall has been recorded but it is still classed as a rare species.
Tekstboks: Situated at the end of Sunndalsfjorden, Håsenøren is a large delta that its formed by the river Driva, and the smaller river Litledalselva. Like several other delta areas in western Norway, Håsenøren has been affected by mismanagement with landfills and other forms of environmental damage through the years. Despite bordering with a huge electro-aluminium factory the area still has a rich bird life and is well worth checking, especially during periods of low tide when large areas of mud and sandbanks are exposed. The woodlands in the east hold a good selection of the commoner species. Thrush Nightingale has however breed in this area in 1972 representing the third most northern breeding locality in Norway. It is however the tidal wetlands that are of most importance. Though Red-throated Diver has been seen it is not a common bird. Black-throated Diver however is seen most springs when birds that breed in the mountains around Sunndal pass through. One of the resident species is Grey Heron though numbers vary through the year. Whooper Swan is found mainly during the winter months though numbers are never high. Like other localities in Norway "introduced" Canada Geese soon settled down to breed and the species can usually be seen. Greylag Geese pass through both during the spring and autumn movements. Other geese such as Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose are sporadic visitors with only a few observations. Both Eurasian Wigeon and Common Teal are regular visitors and both species can be seen during the summer months with moulting males forming small flocks. Like other wetland areas in western Norway, such species as Gadwall and Garganey are rare while Northern Pintail and Northern Shoveler are recorded on a more frequent basis, though numbers are never high. Of the diving ducks it is the Common Goldeneye that's usually seen. Tufted Duck is seen most years, usually during early summer, and never in high numbers. Greater Scaup however can turn up at any time of the year but like the Tufted numbers are never great. You can't write about Håsenørene without mentioning the male Harlequin Duck that was seen there in 1973. Common Eiders usually appear from early April and numbers increase through May. Some pairs do breed in the area. During the winter months you may be lucky to see Long-tailed Duck, otherwise the species has been also recorded from May through June. Common Scoter and Velvet Scoter are mainly late autumn species and numbers are never high. Both Red-breasted Merganser and Goosander can be found, no doubt attracted by the salmon fry from the rivers that run into the delta. As one would expect with an area such as Håsenørene, raptors are regularly seen passing through or hunting over the delta. Spring brings with it the arrival of several species of wader. Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Temminck's Stint, Common Snipe, Common Redshank and Common Sandpiper have all been recorded breeding while such species as European Golden Plover, Ruff and Greenshank pass through during the spring and autumn in varying numbers. Several waders such as Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper, Sanderling and Spotted Redshank are rarer with only one or a few observations to their credit. Some of the waders like Dunlin and Little Stint are more common during their autumn movements while Purple Sandpiper can sometimes be seen during the winter months, disappearing by March. Members of the gull family can be seen through out the year with some species having increases in the spring. This is typical for both Black-headed Gull and Common Gull. Of the larger gulls it is Herring and Great Black-backed that are the commonest. Lesser Black-backed Gull can be seen from late spring though numbers are never high. Both Little Gull and Glaucous Gull have been recorded but must be regarded as scarce. Though the Common Tern has breed in the area for many years, the Arctic Tern was not recorded breeding until 1979. Both species can be seen from spring through summer. The only other tern to be seen is Black Tern, but like other places in the county this species is rare. Passerines are well represented thanks to the different habitats. Common Swifts can often be seen hawking insects over the area during summer. Four species of Woodpecker have been recorded with Lesser-spotted Woodpecker possibly breeding. From early spring the song of the Sky Lark can be heard, though numbers are never great. Sand Martin, Barn Swallow and House Martin however are common and it is possible to see mixed flocks of these species feeding over the delta during summer. Several songsters can be heard from early may and on through the breeding season. One of better is without a doubt Icterine Warbler. This species is a clever mimic, so be warned!! Blackcap are not uncommon while Common Whitethroat, though found, are not as numerous. The only other sylvia warbler that has been seen is Garden Warbler, but this species is not common. Good numbers of Northern Wheatear can be seen during the spring while Whinchat is present through the summer and most probably breeds. Though the Bluethroat is an uncommon spring visitor, late summer numbers can be good when birds are moving down from their mountain breeding grounds. Thrush numbers vary from their arrival in spring. Of the four species seen it is the Ring Ouzel that is the rarer. Members of the finch family are well represented and flocks of Common Chaffinch and Brambling can be good during the autumn movements. Surprisingly, Reed Bunting is resident with a few birds staying through the winter months, the other two buntings that can be of interest for visiting birders, Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting are both spring visitors, the later being seen most years.  How to Get There:  From Sunndal there is several advantage points. One of the best however is the observation tower in the reserve. There are several paths through the surrounding woodlands that are worth exploring. There is also a small pond called Tredalspollen that is worth checking near the camping site. Click here for map

Sunndal

Ruff  -  just one of many species of wader to have been recorded

Northern Wheatear  -  a common spring migrant.

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