Bird watching IN NORWAY

Siberian Tit   -  Try looking for them in the woodlands of the Pasvik valley

Tekstboks: The combined region of Sør Varanger covers a very large area with some of the best birding localities in the county. Three of these are Neiden, Munkefjord and Pasvik National Park. Looking at Neiden and Munkefjord first. This is a huge area of 10,800 ha with the outlets of the rivers Neiden and Munk forming the main area of interest. The Neiden area was formed by marginal deposits under the last ice age. This produced the terraces and sandbanks that can be found today. The river itself is wide and calm flowing with water levels depending, and varying on rainfall, as well as the ebb and flow of the tide. Munkefjorden is also a part of this estuarine system, here you will find large areas of mud and sandbanks during periods of low tide. During the winter most of the area is frozen with what few waterfowl to be found being concentrated on the River Neiden and its estuary. However waterfowl numbers soon increase in the spring, and the first of the waders arrive. The area is known for its Diver passage with some 100+ Red-throated Diver and 400+ Black-throated Divers being max counts. Flocks of Bean Geese and the occasional Lesser White-fronted Goose can be seen feeding on or near the salt marshes. Common Eider is nearly always present but numbers don't start to increase before late autumn and by November over 3,000+ can be counted. King Eider can also be encountered during this time. Long-tailed Duck follows the same pattern as the Eider, though numbers are lower, but still at an impressive 1,000+ birds. Both Black and Velvet Scoter can also be found. Goosander numbers start to increase by mid summer with the flock reaching 4,000+ birds by autumn. The vast areas of tidal mudflat also attract a host of the commoner waders. Spring counts of Red Knot reach 2500 birds while Bar-tailed Godwits can reach 500 plus, making the area an important resting place for the migrating birds. Other than that Ringed Plover, Dunlin, and Purple Sandpiper can be found in vary numbers, reaching a max during the winter with 200 plus. During spring such waders as Ruff and Wood Sandpiper may be seen, while Autumn migration can bring in Temminck's Stints.  Passerines are represented with some of the species that are typical of Birch woodlands so far north. It is worth noting that both Arctic Warbler and Little Bunting can be found during the breeding season How To Get There: A very large area with several view points. Route E6 follows the east side of Munkefjorden for several kilometres. The river outlet and estuary at Neiden is a good advantage point that usually holds good numbers of birds. Otherwise you could try viewing some of the area from Sandtangen. To find this area you simply follow the small road from Fossnes, past Myrland and Mikkelsnes. Here you will find small farming communities. Passvik National Park - An Area Where East Meets West: The Pasvik National Park - Where do we start? Do we start in the primeval pine forests, or the lakes, marshes or bogs? No mater what habitat you chose, you are bound to find species of interest. Lying south of Kirkenes the Pasvik valley is bound by the the borders of Russia and Finland in the south east. In fact, much of the national park is in Russia, with only 19 sq.km. in Norway, of which 4,5 sq.km is water. The bogs, marshes and other wetland areas form a part of the catchment area that either feeds, or is feed by the mighty Pasvik River which flows 147 km. from Lake Enare in Finland. The areas of forest that are to be found in the north consist mainly of pine with scattered areas of Birch, in fact the area has a rich plant life with 384 recorded species. However it is the areas birdlife that we are interested in, and also here a high number of species have been recorded with a 212. As one would expect with such a elaborate waterway system, wildfowl are well represented. Whopper Swans can usually be found, often preferring the smaller quieter lakes, and sharing the habitat with Black-throated Diver. The combination of wetland/woodland also seem to suit the Bean Goose.  With the melting of the snow, areas of flooded wetland produce the perfect habitat for such species as Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Mallard and Northern Pintail. Tufted Duck and Common Goldeneye can be seen on some of the deeper lakes while such species as Red-breasted Merganser and Goosander can be seen on rivers. Of all the wildfowl it is no doubt the Smew that is of most interest. Otherwise a rare breeding bird in Norway, the species breeds and can be regarded as common. During good rodent years Rough-legged Buzzard can be seen. Not all the birds of prey are dependent on rodent numbers. Merlins are quiet happy chasing small birds, while Ospreys find more than enough fish to feed themselves as well as young birds in the nest. From time to time White-tailed Eagles will follow the waterway system, and there is always a chance of a Golden Eagle Away from the main river, in more remote marshes the shy Common Crane can be found, their honking call being a good sign to listen for. The areas wetland are also a haven for waders. Common Sandpipers frequent the banks of rivers and streams while the bogs hold such species as Wood Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank. Other waders to be found include Ruff, Jack Snipe, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Greenshank and Red-necked Phalarope. Of all the waders, it is however the Broad-billed Sandpiper that most birders will wish to find. Though breeding in small numbers, the species is still rare on the reserve. A newcomer to central Pasvik is Little Gull. This species seems to be on the increase and Lake Svan (Svanvatnet) seems to be the main area. Away from the wetland areas, the woodlands at Pasvik are unique. Situated in the northwest corner of the Siberia taiga they are regarded as one of the largest area of primeval forest. An area where eastern and western species share the wealth of habitats and natural recourses that can be found. One of these species is the Capercaillie, a large and impressive game bird. The area is also known for its owls. Of these it is without a doubt both Great Grey Owl and Hawk Owl that are the most sought after by visiting birders. Short-eared Owl can also be found, often seen hunting over open areas of moor. Another sought after species is the Three-toed Woodpecker, look for "rings" of missing bark on the pine trees as a sure sign that the species has been in the area. Black Woodpecker can also be found. Bohemian Waxwings can be found during the warmer months while such species as Siberian Tit, Siberian Jay and Pine Grosbeak are resident. Of the more interesting passage migrants both Little and Rustic Bunting are of the most interest. How To get there:  The area is large with several good localities. I would start a visit at the Svanhovd Miljøsenter at Svanvik. This is an information centre for the area. Here you will find maps and can talk to people who really know the area and its fauna. However, if you want to try it on your own you can follow route 885 from Hesseng, south through the Pasvik valley past Vaggatem. Here you should find a signposted woodland road to the car park at Sortbrysttjern. From here you can continue south to Gjøkåsen or continue for another 20 km. to Grensefoss. Click here for map

Sør Varanger

Only black, white and grey  -  but what a bird

Both Little Bunting (top) and Arctic Warbler (below) can be found in the Pasvik area.

Hawk Owl  - not seen every year, but still a sought after species by visiting birders

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Pasvik Taiga