Bird watching IN NORWAY

Male Common Eider
Tekstboks: As expected the area holds some spectacular seabird colonies. The area also offers some spectacular nature and a range of habitats to explore. There are also boat rides out to some of the sea bird colonies during the summer months, so ask for details at the local tourist office. For those wanting to get away from the coast you could also visit Jansvannskogen and check this woodland area for passerines. Other than both Red-throated and Black-throated Diver you could always have the chance of seeing White-billed Diver as well. Fulmars breed on some of the off lying islands and both Great Cormorant and Shag are a common sight along the coast. Greylag Geese are seen most years and breed in varying numbers. Check freshwater lakes and tidal areas for dabbling ducks. Mallard are resident while species like Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal and Northern Pintail arrive in the spring. Sea-duck can be seen throughout the year in varying numbers. Both Common and King Eider have been recorded, other species to look out for include Long-tailed Duck and both Common and Velvet Scoter. Some of the fjords could also produce good numbers of Red-breasted Merganser and the larger Goosander. White-tailed Eagle is frequently seen. Other species like Rough-legged Buzzard are a bit more dependent on rodent numbers, keep an eye open for Golden Eagle as well, they are seen in the area. Other raptors to have been recorded include Merlin and Peregrine Falcon. A walk over dryer moorland habitat could produce Willow Grouse or Rock Ptarmigan, as well as waders like European Golden Plover and Eurasian Dotterel. Areas of marsh and bog are always worth checking. Common Snipe, Whimbrel and Common Redshank are just three species you may find. Also check and tidal areas you come across. Eurasian Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover are regularly seen, other recorded waders include Red Knot, Dunlin, Ruff, Eurasian Curlew and Purple Sandpiper. As one would expect, there is a good selection of sea-birds to be seen and a few hours spent sea-watching should give results, if only some of the commoner species. Both Arctic Skua and Great Skua are regularly observed. Gull numbers are always good, don't forget to check for both Glaucous and Iceland Gulls. Black-legged Kitiwake are usually around in good numbers. Little Gull has also been recorded, though must be regarded as uncommon. Both Common and Arctic Tern breed in the area and the outlying islands hold such breeding species as Common Guillemot, Razorbill and Black Guillemot. Several of the commoner passerines have been recorded. By spring Meadow Pipits will have joined the resident Rock Pipits. White Wagtail should also have arrived and the call of the. Common Cuckoo can be heard.  Bluethroats will be marking their territories from a suitable elevated song post while male Northern Wheatears make do with a large rock. Another species that could be singing from a large rock is Ring Ouzel. This is just one of four thrush to be found, the others being Blackbird, Fieldfare and Redwing. Check fast flowing streams for White-throated Dipper, though sometimes they can be elusive. One species that also stays well hidden at times is the Sedge Warbler, often you can only hear its churring call without seeing the bird. Other songsters that can be found include Hedge Accentor and Willow Warbler, both species are regular. Other species like Blackcap and Pied Flycatcher are not so numerous but nevertheless still been seen during the summer months. Areas with Willow and Birch could hold Brambling, and always be on the lookout for Twite as well. If you stumble on a flock of Redpoll take your time to check for Arctic Redpoll, this species is seen most years. And lastly three buntings, both Reed and Snow can be found without much effort, while Lapland Longspur just may take a little more time.  How to get there:  Access to Hammerfest is straight forward with route 94 running along Straumen to the tiny fishing village of Forsøl. The road along Fuglenesdalen passes some interesting lakes. Once at Forsøl you can do a bit of sea-watching or follow one of the many well marked paths in the area. Click here for map

Hammerfest

Summer plumaged Red Knot

Reed Bunting  -  one of the first migrant passerines to arrive

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Accommodation

Quality Hotel Hammerfest

Accommodation

Quality Hotel Hammerfest