Birding Scandinavia ... Western Norway - Spring
The Scandinavian Birding Experience
The coast and wetlands of Jæren, just south of Stavanger provide, some of the best birding Norway has to offer while the Hardangervidda provides some of the more interesting high tundra species.
Day 1:
From the airport we will drive to our hotel and check-in. Then it is off to explore the coast and wetlands. By mid-may all four species of diver can be seen along the coast, with the highlight being White-billed Diver. The shallow bays offer perfect feeding conditions for both Red necked and Slavonian Grebes and we should be able to study Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter and Velvet Scoter at close range while flocks of Barnacle and Brent Geese follow the coast line heading north. All four species of skua can be recorded during spring as well as a good selection of waders and other seabirds, the setting is made for some interesting seawatching.
Day 2:
An early morning start at some coastal locations before we head inland to check some of the lakes and woodland areas. Here wildfowl will be concentrated so there is always a chance of seing some of the larger birds of prey like Northern Goshawk, Gyr Falcon and Peregrine. The woodlands should be alive with bird song but we will be lloking for some of the more typical Scandinavian passerines like Crested Tit and both Common and Parrot Crossbills. By mid day we will be on our way to our next location, the Hardangervidda.
Day 3:
Though the snow will still be lying thick on the ground and most of the lakes will be frozen, there will be bare patches and areas of open water. These areas are usually teaming with birds. Amongst the flocks of Meadow Pipit and Fieldfare we can look for summer plumaged Shore Lark, Bluethroat, Ring Ouzel, Lapland Bunting and Snow Bunting. Waders too should have arrived. The sorrowful call of the European Golden Plover will echo over the vast expanses that for the Hardangervidda while we can check areas of open water for Red-necked Phalarope. Both Red Grouse and Rock Ptarmigan can be found while, if rodent numbers are good, Rough-legged Buzzard are usually present. Birding on the Hardangervidda is a great experience, but unfortunately, we have to move on to our last night in Norway at Voss. However this will be after a short stop at Ulvikpollen if the tides are right. This small tidal area at the end of Ulvikfjord holds a good selection of the commoner species but has produced some interesting species like spring observations of Broad-billed Sandpiper. After checking in and having our evening meal at our hotel in Voss we will take an evening excursion to look for Pygmy Owl.
Day 4:
After an early morning start we will head for the woodlands of Voss. Here the target species will be woodpeckers with Grey-headed and White-backed being the main target species. Eurasian Ryneck should have arrived, their piercing call cutting through the woodlands. Capercaillie and Nutcracker can also be found in the same area. From Voss we will head back to Bergen for your evening flight back to the UK.
The trip starts and ends at Bergen Airport
Best time to take this trip is during late April through May. Duration 4 days.
Gyr Falcon
White-billed Diver
Pygmy Owl
White-backed Woodpecker
Our guesthouse on the Hardangervidda
Our hotel at Voss
Aditional Information
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Capercaillie