Early Summer in Lapland and Varanger

Another popular birding holiday is an early summer week in Varanger fjord, Northern Norway. Reaching over 200 miles above the Arctic Circle to the northernmost tip of mainland Europe and the land of the midnight sun, this holiday is something different for sure, offering a long list of arctic species. The trip starts from Ivalo, Finnish Lapland, with a half-day drive to the Varanger fjord. Already on the way up it is possible to see e.g. Long-tailed Skua, Rough-legged Buzzard, Spotted Redshank, Smew and Lapland Bunting.

The Varanger fjord itself offers a long list of very special birds, such as Steller's-and King Eiders, Velvet Scoter, Rough-legged Buzzard, Glaucous- and Iceland Gulls, Red-necked Phalarope, Bluethroat, Arctic Redpoll, Red–throated Pipit, Shore Lark and Snow Bunting to name just a few.

The road to Hamninberg - the end of Europe - is something special. Sometimes it looks like you are in the moon, the next minute you mistake the beaches for ones at the Mediterranean! Birding along this road usually provides White-billed Divers, King Eiders and White-tailed Eagles. Seawatching in Hamningberg is good for Gannets, Fulmars, Skuas or even whales!

An excursion by boat to the large seabird colony on the islet of Hornöya is one of the highlights of this trip. The Hornöya Nature Reserve is home of about 25 000 pairs of Kittiwakes. Northern Alcids breeds here: Brünnich´s Guillemots, Common Guillemots, Black Guillemots, Razorbills and several thousand pairs of Puffins! A great opportunity for bird photography.

In addition to the fjord itself, it is possible to visit the northern side of Varanger peninsula. The road follows the Teno-river, one of the most important salmon rivers in Europe. The vast sandy Teno River delta is famous for its moulting Goosanders and breeding waders. On the nearby rocks there is a traditional breeding site of Gyrfalcon !

From the delta the road continues over high altitude tundra to a small harbour town, Båtsfjord. The tundra is home to Ptarmigan and Gyrfalcon. Long-tailed Skua and Dotterel are regular by the roadside. Also the magnificent Snowy Owl is occasionally seen on the fells. Another town on the northern side of Varanger, Berlevåg, and the rocky coastline and the tundra along the way offer many birding locations. The Kjölnes lighthouse near the town is an excellent seawatching point with good changes to see e.g. White-billed Divers, Pomarine- and Great Skuas, Glaucous- and Iceland Gulls and Gannets.

Starting and finishing in Ivalo, Finnish Lapland, some of the Siberian specialities are found on this trip, too, including Siberian Jay and -Tit, Pine Grosbeak and Little Bunting. This trip can be combined with the Oulu-Kuusamo week to make a fortnight trip!

Time: end of May-mid July, 5 – 7 days (Ivalo-Vardö/Båtsfjord-Ivalo)

Photos

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