Bird watching IN NORWAY

Slavonian Grebe have been recorded.
Tekstboks: With over 260 species to its credit, the small nature reserve at Fornebu has a longer species list than some of Norway's better known birding areas. Thanks to a devoted group of local bird watchers, the areas birdlife is well watched and recorded, hence the long species list. At one time Fornebu was better known for being the main airport in Oslo, the fly-ways in the sky, crowded by aircraft from around the world. Today the fly-ways around Fornebu are still crowded, only this time it is birds, making their way too, from and over this small reserve at the end of Oslofjord. Divers must be classed as scarce, and even though Fornebu can boast all four species, numbers are never high, and some species are'nt seen every year. Much the same can be said about the Grebes as well. Once again four species have been seen with Great-crested and Slavonian being seen the most frequently, but once again, not every year. Seabirds are represented with a host of unexpected sightings. Such species as Fulmar, Sooty and Manx Shearwater and Northern Gannet have all been recorded. Great Cormorant is another species to be found with varying numbers of birds moving along the fjord, depending the time of year. As one would expect, Grey Heron are not uncommon along the fjord. Wildfowl are represented with 33 species being seen in or around the reserve. Some of these like Bewick's Swan, King Eider and Steller's Eider  though recorded, are very rare. Despite being on the edge of Norway's capital city an astonishing amount of raptors have been recorded, with 17 species. Eurasian Honey Buzzards are seen during most spring and autumn migrations. Three species of Harrier have been recorded with the rarest being Montagu's. Northern Goshawk and Eurasian Sparrowhawk are two of the more frequently seen birds of prey, while Osprey can often be seen fishing in shallow areas of the fjord. Both Eurasian Hobby and Peregrine have been seen during recent years. Turning our heads away from the sky, the areas of reed and marshy areas are always worth checking. Water Rail have been recorded, though the species must be classed as irregular, while Spotted Crake must be regarded as rare. Common Crane is also a irregular visitor, and mostly seen in flight over the area. Low tide brings with it areas of mud, a habitat that the 34 species of recorded wader appreciate. For the wader enthusiast, it is the spring and autumn migrations that provide the greatest selection and the highest numbers. Like any wader locality, always check for the more interesting species. There have been a number of Little-ringed Plover observations over the past few years, while both Little Stint and Temminck's Stints can easily hide amongst the Dunlins during the autumn. Some of the more rarer waders to be recorded include Broad-billed Sandpiper and Pectoral Sandpiper. Members of the Skua family are in general rare. All four species have been recorded but it is only Arctic Skua that has been seen during the spring, summer and autumn months. Members of the gull family are well represented with all the commoner species, some of the rarer gulls to be seen include Mediterranean Gull, Little Gull and a reported Sabine's Gull. Both Arctic and Common Tern can be seen through the summer months, while there has been spread observations of Sandwich Tern and Little Tern through the years. Both Caspian Tern and Black Tern have also been seen, but these species are rare. All the European auks, including Brunnich's have been seen, observations being spread through the four seasons with best numbers during the winter months. Other than being a nature reserve, Fornebu is also a bird observatory, where birds are caught and ringed. This work has provided much information on bird movements, as well as the odd rarity entering the nets. As well as most of the commoner Scandinavian passerines, several interesting species have been recorded. For most birder that visit Norway,  Woodpeckers are always of interest. Unfortunately these species can be shy and hard to find. Fornebu is no different. Grey-headed Woodpecker has been seen but is not common. Green Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker and Great-spotted Woodpecker are seen more regularly while Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker and Three-toed Woodpecker are rare. Thrush Nightingale can be found at a few localities around Oslofjord, and though the species has been seen at Fornebu they are not that common. The range of habitats from meadow to reedbed is surrounded by both coniferous and deciduous woodland. Sedge, Marsh and Reed Warbler have all been recorded breeding with the commonest being Reed. Icterine Warbler has also been recorded, but numbers vary. The same can be said for Lesser and Common Whitethroat and Garden Warbler and Blackcap. All four species have been seen during the summer months, but it is not before the autumn migration that the highest counts are made. Both migration periods are a good time for passerines, with many migrants joining the resident species. Several rare and uncommon passerines have been recorded, some of the more interesting observations include Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Pied Wheatear, Penduline Tit, Golden Oriole, Lesser-grey Shrike and Bobolink. How to get there:  You can take the bus nr 31 from Oslo. Ask the driver to let you know when you arrive at Oksenøyveien. You can then follow the road along Holtekilen, past the old garden centre and the marina. You should end up in the wetland area between Storøykilen (also known as Hawk Mountain amongst the local birders) and Koksa, a large area of reedbed and shallow fjord. By car, you drive along Oksenøyveien until the asphalt ends, from here you can check the area. During the best part of 2002, the local birders have been working on a house which will be the observatory station, and there is an observation tower. Click here for map

Oslo

Northern Goshawk are frequently seen.

Eurasian Hoopoe  -  one of the rarer species to have been recorded in the area.

During periods with rough weather Common Guillemot can find shelter in the fjords.