Birding Scandinavia   

The Scandinavian Birding Experience

Varanger Peninsula and Pasvik
Tekstboks: Tekstboks: Tekstboks: Tekstboks: Tekstboks:

The Birding Scandinavia holiday program offers a selection of some of the best birding Norway can provide. Here you will find itineraries for birding trips to the far north, the west coast and the west-east passage. 
Varanger Peninsula and Pasvik

Three 6 day trips are planned for 2008 on the following dates;
13-18/06  -  20-25/06  - 27/6-2/7

 

At one time, birding in the far north of Norway was considered to be a major expedition needing lots of planning and quite a lot of expense. Today its possible to experience the Varanger Peninsula and its Arctic Species on an affordable budget

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Tekstboks: Three-toed Woodpecker will be just one off the species we will be looking for when we are wandering through the Taiga Woodlands Tekstboks: We will be stopping to look and listen for Arctic Warbler, while we should definitely see Bluethroat and Brambling

Day 1

Arrive at Kirkenes with the morning flight from Oslo Gardemoen. From here we will make our to Vardsø. There is no rush, and there will be plenty of opportunities for birding while driving along the fjords. We will stop at such localities as Neiden to look for Arctic Warbler, the river outlet at Tana for wildfowl and the ponds at Kirkeby for waders

 

Day 2

If weather permits we will start the day with a boat trip out to Hornøy. This is a major seabird colony with large numbers of Black-legged Kittiwake, Common Guillemot and Razorbill. However our main target species will be Brunnich’s Guillemot. On returning to the mainland we will head along the coast towards Hamningberg. We will use the rest of the day to explore this unique stretch of coastline.

Day 3

Today we will start heading back along the coastal road, but not before we spend some time inland. There are so many good areas to explore, it is difficult to chose which track to follow. Here we will be looking for some of the regions classic species like Long-tailed Skua,

Tekstboks: Day 4 This will be our first day exploring the Pasvik Valley and we will spend the first part of the day at Skrøtnes. This area of farmland stretches along side a lake and offers some interesting habitats. Early in the season displaying Ruff can be seen, Short-eared Owls regularly hunt the fields and there is always a chance of Common Crane. After Skrøtnes we will head further up into the valley stopping along the way. There will be more than enough interesting areas to chose from, be it woodland or wetland. On returning to our accommodation and our evening meal, we can rest up for a while before we take an evening outing to the 96 Tower. This relic from the cold war days looks out over the Russian border. Today it makes an interesting advantage point to watch wildlife and both Brown Bear and owls have been seen from its heights. Day 5 Today we will follow the road to Nyrud at the end of the valley. On the other side of the river is Russia, so we can go no further, but there is nothing to stop us studying the wildlife on the river itself, and the banks on the other side. Wildfowl should be in good numbers with the chance of seeing Smew. Black-throated Diver are regularly seen and Whooper Swan breed in the area. Some of the commoner waders that can be found include Spotted Redshank and Wood Sandpiper Day 6 This will be or last day, hopefully we can get in a few hours birding before we have to leave for the morning flight from Kirkenes to Oslo. Information About The Trip The trip starts and ends at the airport at Kirkenes Travel Plan This trip is based on that you take the SAS Braathens morning flight that leaves for Kirkenes at 09:00. The return flight leaves Kirkenes at 11.30, getting into Gardemoen at 13:40. The Trip The trip is for 3 to 10 people. The following are included in the price: accommodation, all meals, transport, including toll roads and ferries, and lastly all guiding services. The following are not included in the price: Local airport transport, flights/travel to Norway, insurance, beverages of any kind and items of a purely personal nature Accommodation We will be staying at small friendly hotels with full facilities. The Costs Cost vary greatly according to the number of participants. Not only is the more the merrier, it is also the more the cheaper. Can you get a small group together? Send me an e-mail and we can discuss plans and costs.

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Tekstboks: Some of the more interesting species that we will be on the lookout for on our return trip. Snowy Owl, Red-throated Pipit and Little Stint

For Trip Reports from Norway Click On The Link

Birding at Hornøy is always rewarding being it a first encounter with Brunnich’s Guillemot, the ever favourite Atlantic Puffin or a marauding Glaucous Gull

Tekstboks: Though we will be stopping at the harbour at Vadsø on the first day, there is no reason why we should not stop on our return journey. After all it is not every day one gets the chance to see three species of Eider side by side Tekstboks: Little Bunting have been seen at Skrøtnes, Little Gull are increasing in the area and breeding plumaged Ruff can be seen well into the summer season Tekstboks: Some of the characteristic species of the Pasvik Valley that one hopes to see Siberian Jay, Siberian Tit and Pine Grosbeak Tekstboks: Many birders visit the Pasvik Valley in the home of seeing owls, we will be no exception, and we will certainly be on the look out for the above three.

The river marshes at Skrøtnes are always worth checking

The Taiga Forest a unique area of Europe

Lake ******** with its breeding waterfowl