Bird watching IN NORWAY

Syltefjordstauren, home of the most northern Gannet colony in the world
Tekstboks: Situated furthest north on the Varanger peninsula between Berlevåg and Vardø, Båtsfjord is Norway's largest fishing village. The borough covers an area of 1,431 sq. km including Finnmark's highest mountain pass over Ordofjell at 400 m.a.s. With the Barents Sea pounding the rocky coastline, Båtsfjord is at the mercy of the elements, but it is a great place to visit with the worlds northern most Gannet colony to be found on the stack at Syltefjordstauran. The two pairs that were discovered in 1961 have now grown to well over 300 pairs. The Northern Gannet is just one of many species that can be seen. Check freshwater lakes for both Red-throated and Black-throated Diver during the summer months while early spring may be the best time to be on the lookout for Great Northern and White-billed Diver. Grebes are never that common but Red-necked Grebe has been recorded. The vast numbers of seabirds to be found make sea-watching a pleasure. Manx Shearwaters can be seen from time to time during the summer months while the Black-browed Albatross that was reported during July 2003 must be regarded as a rarity. Both Eurasian Wigeon and Common Teal arrive by spring and there is usually Mallard to be found as well. Common Eider are usually abundant while both Velvet Scoter and Long-tailed Duck can be found in varying numbers. Other wildfowl that can be found include Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser and Goosander. Seven species of raptor have been recorded in the area. White-tailed Eagle roam the coastline while Golden Eagle, though recorded are not as common and may prefer further inland. If rodent numbers are good then there could be Rough-legged Buzzard and Common Kestrel about. Other falcons that have been recorded in the area include Merlin, Gyr and Peregrine. Members of the wader family are better represented with nearly twenty species. Once again the waders to be found are representative for the region with both breeding Little and Temminck's Stints. Other waders that should be of interest for the visiting birder should include summer plumaged Ruff and Spotted Redshank as well as Red-necked Phalarope. Though the area has several seabird colonies it is Syltefjordstauran that is the better known. Black-legged Kittiwakes can be found with an estimated 140,000 pair. Both Great Cormorant and Shag can be found breeding in the lower areas of the colony. Here you will also find Herring Gulls and Great Black-backed Gull while members of the auk family are represented with 12,000 pairs of Common Guillemot, 1,300 pairs of Brunnich's Guillemot, 1,200 pairs of Razorbill and varying numbers of Atlantic Puffin. And lastly Black Guillemot which can usually be found bobbing on the sea or nesting between the boulders at the base of the colony. Arctic Skua are seen regularly while Pomarine and Long-tailed can be seen from time to time. On a last note. Gull numbers are usually good as the area has an extensive fish industry. Check the flocks for "white-winged" gulls and it is also interesting to note that Sabine's Gull has been reported during the summer months. Moving away from seabirds and onto passerines. Once again many are representative for the region with such species as Bluethroat, Northern Wheatear, Sedge Warbler, Brambling and Twite just to name a few . Horned Lark has been recorded and both Red-throated Pipit and Arctic Redpoll should be of interest to the visiting birder. The area has also produced the unexpected like the reported Golden Oriole July 2002 and though not a passerine, a Black Kite June 2001. How to Get There: The walk out to Syltefjordsstauren (stack) is not an easy one. For those wishing to make the walk then you can drive towards Veines, turning left when you see the sign for Nordfjord. From here its a good and sometimes hard walk out to the colony. For many however, viewing the colony from the sea will produce most of the species. This being the case contact the local tourist office at Båtsfjord and find out if there are any local fishermen that are willing to take you out. Click here for map

Båtsfjord

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Long-tailed Duck  -  Males look splendid in breeding plumage

Northern Wheatear  has been recorded at Båtsfjord

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