Bird watching IN NORWAY

Hearing a male Bluethroat sing during the spring is a great experience
Tekstboks: Covering an area of 1,850 sq. km. Kvalsund offers the visiting birder a range of habitats and a varied bird life. Areas like Repparfjordbotn, needs little presentation. Formed by Repparfjordelva and two smaller rivers in the south west, the Repparfjordbotn delta is a must if you are in the area. During low tide a large shoreline becomes visible, along with several sandbanks. Where the river meets the fjord there is a series of channels and small islands, some of these have a thick scrub vegetation and are always worth checking for passerines. Otherwise the vegetation surrounding the delta is sparse, consisting of areas of grassland and heather.   Both Red-throated and Black-throated Diver breed in the area while White-billed Diver has been recorded. Wildfowl are represented with several species. Spring can bring with it single or small flocks of geese, Bean Goose has been recorded, otherwise Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal and Mallard can be seen in varying numbers. Other species of dabbling duck are in general uncommon, but both Northern Pintail and Northern Shoveler have been seen. Tufted Duck and Common Goldeneye are the two diving ducks most likely to be seen. Sea-duck are represented with four species. Common Eider and Long-tailed Duck are usually present, but don't forget to check for Common and Velvet Scoters. As with several other localities in the county it is not uncommon for Goosander to congregate during the autumn, with numbers reaching the hundreds. White-tailed Eagle sometimes wander along the Repparfjord while other raptors like Golden Eagle, Rough-legged Buzzard and Merlin prefer areas of open moorland. The large shoreline at Repparfjord and its surrounding wetlands are known for its wader passage. Eurasian Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover are amongst the first to arrive in the spring and can be seen along the shore. Eurasian Dotterel and European Golden Plover arrive a little later and tend to move onto moorland habitat soon after their arrival. There is a chance of small numbers of Dunlin during the warmer months. Other waders such as Temminck's Stint, Ruff and Bar-tailed Godwit can be encountered during migration though numbers vary. Both Eurasian Curlew and Whimbrel are found in the region and could turn up from the end of April. Spotted Redshank is another species that can be seen with flocks of up to 30 birds being recorded. Common Redshank, Wood Sandpiper and Turnstone no doubt breed in the area. Common Sandpiper are not uncommon and check surrounding pools for Red-necked Phalarope. Pomarine, Arctic and Long-tailed Skua are seen most years and gull numbers are usually good with even Black-legged Kittiwake straying into the fjord from time to time. Both Common and Arctic Tern  breed. It is not uncommon for members of the auk family to shelter in the fjord system, numbers can be quite high with over 3000 Razorbill during May 2003. There is always a chance of seeing Black Guillemot too. Despite being so far north, the region can boast an impressive list of passerines. Great-spotted Woodpecker has been recorded while Lesser-spotted Woodpecker has been recorded breeding. Red-throated Pipit is another sought after species that can be found. White Wagtail are not uncommon and Yellow Wagtail have been recorded from time to time. Check rivers and streams for White-throated Dipper. By May Bluethroat will be singing and Northern Wheatear will have arrived. Four species of thrush can be found with Ring Ouzel possibly being of most interest. Both Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler breed in the area while such species as Icterine Warbler, Blackcap and Northern Chiffchaff have been recorded. Both Spotted and Pied Flycatcher can be found, and keep an eye open for Common Redstart, even this species has been recorded in Kvalsund. Though only Willow Tit has been found breeding, both Long-tailed Tit and Great Tit have been seen. Eurasian Treecreeper too has been recorded. Brambling and Redpoll are the commonest of the finches and both Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting can be found in the area. There is no doubt that Kvalsund is an interesting area, even the unexpected can turn up like a Hoopoe in 2001 and a Sabine's Gull in 2003, that if accepted by the rarities committee will be a first for the area. How To Get There: Situated on the route 94 to Kvalsund and Hammerfest. Repparfjordbotn is situated at the end of fjord near Oldernes Click here for map

Kvalsund

Wood Sandpiper  -  a possible breeding species?

Eurasian Hoopoe was seen in 2001

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Accommodation

Repparfjord Hotel