Bird watching IN NORWAY

Brent Goose has been recorded in the area
Tekstboks: The Tana estuary is the site that provides one of Norway's great natural events, the gathering of the Goosanders. The first birds turning up as soon as the ice on the river begins to melt, and by August/September numbers can have  reached 25,000 birds. If this is not enough the area can boast spring flocks of 4,000 Common Eider and 4,000 Long-tailed Duck. Formed by deposits from the River Tana, the delta at Tanafjord is a complex of sandbanks and islands, shallow lagoons and deep channels. Some of the larger islands have a sparse vegetation and areas of scrub, providing a varied habitat for the many species that pass through. Black-throated Diver can be seen most years while Red-necked Grebe can be more elusive. Little Grebe has also been recorded but this species is not common so far north. Geese are well represented with Bean Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Brent Goose and Barnacle Goose all being recorded, if not every year. Other than the ducks already mentioned, Eurasian Wigeon and Common Teal join the resident Mallard by spring. Rarer ducks that have been recorded include Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter, the later being very rare. The large areas of mudbanks and the many sandbanks  attract waders, and 22 species have been recorded. Numbers however are never really high. Some of the commoner waders include Eurasian Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Eurasian Curlew,  Whimbrel, Common Redshank, Common Sandpiper and Turnstone. Other waders such as Temminck's Stint, Ruff and Bar-tailed Godwit and Red-necked Phalarope can be encountered during migration though numbers vary. Arctic Skua can be seen, and at certain times of the year there can be thousands of gulls in the area. Arctic Tern are usually to be seen. Passerines are never in good numbers but look out for Bluethroat in areas of scrub and check suitable habitat for Arctic Warbler. Snow Bunting often frequent the shore area. How To Get There:  From Tana Bridge. follow route 890 that runs along side the Tana River. At Austertana you can drive on the eastern side of Leirpollen to Geresgåppi. From here you can get good views over part of this large area. You can also try the advantage point at the headland, just before you reach Austertana. Click here for map

Tana

Summer plumaged Red-necked Phalarope’s are spectacular little waders.

Back to top

Accommodation

Varanger Panorama