Bird watching IN NORWAY

Keep an eye open for “White-winged” gulls like this Iceland
Tekstboks: Lying in the north of the county, Tysfjord covers an area of 1463 sq.km. This landmass stretches virtually from the coast in the west to the Swedish border in the east. Here you will find a range of habitats but in general steep high mountains and deep narrow fjords are the key words. Many nature lovers visit the area to see Killer Whales, and from the end of October there are organized trips to see these fantastic creatures. Hopefully you will see some birds as well, but you must remember, it is not the best time of the year for birding. However be on the lookout for both Red-throated Diver and Slavonian Grebe, the latter being the rarer. Shag can usually be seen throughout the year as can two of the commoner sea-duck, Common Eider and Long-tailed Duck. Being so far north, always be on the lookout for King Eider. This species has been reported. Otherwise both Common Scoter and Red-breasted Merganser have been recorded breeding and its not impossible that the species can be found during the winter months. There should be a relatively good chance of seeing White-tailed Eagle and don't forget to check for white-winged gulls. Though I have found no reference of either Iceland or Glaucous over the last few years, this no doubt reflects the lack of birders rather than the lack of gulls. The same can be said for wintering auks, very little information to be found though Black Guillemot breed in the area and are most probably resident.        By spring bird numbers will be on the increase and it is really a choice of picking a habitat and checking what's about. Check lakes for some of the commoner waterfowl like Common Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye and Goosander. One thing that is sure to impress are some of the mountain ranges. Stetind at 1392m has been named as Norway's national mountain as one would expect this type of habitat suits species like Golden Eagle and Gyr Falcon. Other birds of prey such as Rough-legged Buzzard, Common Kestrel and Merlin can also been seen, depending on the time of the year or rodent numbers. Both Northern Capercaillie and Black Grouse can be found in suitable woodland habitat while Willow Grouse and Rock Ptarmigan prefer higher ground. Numbers of waders vary. Eurasian Oystercatcher breed on Ramnholmen while such species as European Golden Plover, Temminck's Stint, Dunlin, Ruff and Whimbrel will prefer higher breeding areas. Common Sandpiper are not uncommon along the many rivers to be found at Tysfjord and check marshlands for such species as Common Redshank and Greenshank. Though there are no large seabird colonies that one often associates with the far north of Norway there is a chance of seeing both Arctic and Long-tailed Skua. There is a small nature reserve at Ramnholmen with good numbers of Herring Gull and smaller numbers of Arctic and Common Terns. The woodlands, mountains and the small areas of farmland attract a good selection of the commoner passerine. By May both Bluethroat, Northern Wheatear and Ring Ouzel will be moving into their breeding areas while other species such as Fieldfare and Redwing will already have built nests. Many of the warblers that have been recorded at Tysfjord will also have arrived, listen out for such species as Sedge Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler. Otherwise the pine woodlands will hold other migrants like Common Redstart and Pied Flycatcher while higher areas of Birch forests provide breeding habitat for Great-Grey Shrike, Brambling and Common Redpoll. Leaving the tree limit behind, and moving into the mountains be on the lookout for Snow Bunting. Tysfjord is worth exploring, maybe you will find the unexpected or get a new lifer, after all such species as Garganey, Snowy Owl, Hawk Owl, Three-toed Woodpecker, Siberian Tit and Siberian Jay have all been seen in this truly fantastic area. Click here for map

Tysfjord

Rough-legged Buzzard  -  A mountain species

Northern Wheatear  -  one of the commoner spring migrants.

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Stetind Hotel