There are only hours left until take-off to a week in Arctic Norway. The target is Varanger in Finnmark county. Finnmark is the northernmost mainland in Europe, and is probably the hottest destination in Norway for foreign birders. Placed at a latitude of up to 71 degrees north and a longitude similar to Istanbul, the fauna is both both unique and hard-faced.
On 16 March seabirds were counted from a height near Vardø. More than 400 000 alcids, 7 500 King Eiders and 12 000 Common Eiders were counted from a single point. Stunning numbers, and I really look forward enjoying them live!
The Hornøya bird cliff
The alcids have just returned for their breeding season at Hornøya ("Horn island") just outside Vardø. Hornøya holds thousands of pairs of Atlantic Puffins, Common and Brunnich's Murre (Guillemot), Razorbill, Kittiwakes and Shags. In addition thousands of gulls will be around at any time. The gulls will mainly be Herring, Glaucous and Great Black-backed, but we will also meet Iceland Gulls and Black-legged Kittiwakes. There is also a faint chance of seeing oddities like Ross's Gull and maybe Glaucous-winged Gull? The latter was seen a few years ago, the only Norwegian record up to date, in Vardø town.
The Gullfest
In April 2012 the first Arctic bird festival was arranged in Norway, namely the Gullfest. This year it is moved a bit forward, to 21-26 March. During the Gullfest participants will be fed with a spectacular program including ringing of Arctic gulls, visiting the Hornøya bird cliff (where tens of thousands alcids have returned), talks from several established birders and much more...
Exclusive eider-photos from floating hides
I am representing the Norwegian Ornithological Society in a project developing Finnmark as a birding destination. During my visit in Varanger I will also meet some people offering birding adventures for tourists. Exciting projects with floating hides and boat trips for photography, feeders set up to attract Arctic passerines and more.
Steller's and King Eiders, Glaucous and Iceland Gulls, Gyr Falcon, Brunnich's Guillemot, Arctic Redpolls and tens of thousands other birds - here I come! Hopefully I will serve some snapshots from the trip during the week. Stay tuned for more!
Steller's and King Eiders, Glaucous and Iceland Gulls, Gyr Falcon, Brunnich's Guillemot, Arctic Redpolls and tens of thousands other birds - here I come! Hopefully I will serve some snapshots from the trip during the week. Stay tuned for more!
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