ARCTIC NORWAY

birding in the land of the midnight sun

Dotterel - the much brighter female taken in Arctic Norway by Janie Vaughan

We begin in Kirkenes well above the Arctic Circle, at the time of the midnight sun, a time when the Arctic is at its most beautiful. Birds are busy nesting and rearing young, the plantlife is flowering and mammals are most active. As we head up into the most northerly part of Norway we see great changes in the landscape, and consequently the habitats and wildlife.

In boreal forest around Kirkenes we will look for Siberian Tits and Siberian Jays. Arctic specialities such as Red-throated Pipit, Shore Lark, Arctic Redpoll, and Steller's and King Eider feature highly as we head north.

The scenery is very dramatic with its own wild beauty, and the Norwegian villages along the Varanger Fjord are very picturesque.

This is the home of some of Europe's most impressive raptors including Golden Eagles, White-tailed Eagles, Rough-legged Buzzards and Gyrfalcons. In some years Snowy Owls breed on the Varanger Peninsula, whilst in the boreal forests we might find a Hawk Owl or even a Great Grey Owl.

Capercaillie - the much shyer female taken on our tour by Janie Vaughan

ITINERARY

KIRKENES

We will fly to Kirkenes, via Oslo, and spend our first three nights here, in the very comfortable Rica Hotel. On our first full day we will explore the Pasvik Valley. This national park, just south of Kirkenes, is a superb area of old forest, bogs, and lakes in a rolling landscape of low hills. Woodlands hold both Black and Three-toed Woodpeckers, Capercaillie, Hazel Grouse, Arctic Warbler, Siberian Tit, Siberian Jay and Pine Grosbeak. The bogs and pools hold such sought-after species as Broad-billed Sandpiper, Temminck's Stint and Jack Snipe.

There will be an optional evening visit to look for these birds displaying, along with Common Cranes and Willow Grouse.

On our second full day in this area we will explore the Neidenelva and Munkelva estuaries, which hold one of the largest concentrations of divers in Norway.

Waders and wildfowl are very plentiful and in the scrubby areas Arctic Warbler and Little Bunting can be found. Reindeer are plentiful and we have a good chance of seeing several mammals like Elk and Arctic Hare. It is also a stronghold for the larger carnivores, Brown Bear, Wolf and Wolverine and though the chances of seeing these are slim, they give a good indication of the quality of the habitat here.

VARANGER FJORD

After breakfast on day four we will travel north to Varanger. On the way we will look for Bluethroat, Waxwing, Siberian Tit and Mealy Redpoll. We will notice the gradual disappearance of trees as we reach truly arctic tundra landscapes. We travel across the Varanger Peninsula and Finmark's highest pass, Ordofjell, and on to Batsfjord on the northern coast, on the edge of the Arctic Ocean.

We will visit a Gyrfalcon nest site where we have had great views of adults and chicks in the past.

Nearby is a causeway across a delta leading to the small community of Hoy Holmen. This is an area of dramatic scenery over which Gyrfalcons hunt and Temminck's Stints can be seen displaying. In the past we have had many good views of waders, skuas and wildfowl in this very atmospheric setting.

We will spend two nights at Batsfjord, where Arctic Terns and Temminck's Stints breed just outside our hotel. Glaucous Gulls and Steller's Eiders can been seen around the harbour, whilst Bluethroats nest in nearby scrub. Seals and whales can sometimes be seen in the fjord. The area is also good for Dotterel, Ptarmigan and Long-tailed Skuas as well as many of the larger raptors.

We will then spend three nights at Vardo at the most easterly point on the peninsula. As we travel along the fjord to reach it, amongst the bird species we hope to see will be White-billed Diver. At this time of year adults will be in magnificent breeding plumage. Black-throated Diver, Smew, Long-tailed Duck, and Common, King and Steller's Eiders provide superb viewing.

Huge rafts of Goosanders come to this area to moult and should be quite a spectacle. White-tailed Eagles are fairly common and we can expect good views of birds flying and perched.

One of the highlights of the holiday (weather permitting) will be a boat trip to the island of Hornoya, just out from Vardo. It is the breeding ground for five species of auk; Brunnich's, Black and Common Guillemots, Puffin and Razorbill, some in their thousands. Around 25,000 pairs of Kittiwakes and 150 pairs of Shags also breed here. All can be seen at very close range.

The island is also the summer home of Mealy Redpoll, Rock Pipit, Red-throated Pipit and Twite. We will see many of these birds from the mainland too, along with Glaucous Gull, Arctic Skua, Arctic Tern, lots of waders, including Red-necked Phalarope, and landbirds like Arctic Redpoll, Shore Lark, Bluethroat, and Lapland and Snow Buntings in their breeding plumage.

After our last night at Vardo we will drive to Kirkenes and then fly to Oslo and London. It is possible to combine this trip with our Finland trip. Please contact our office for details and price.

PACE There will be some optional pre-breakfast birdwatching. Breakfast will be taken at about 8.00am most mornings. The pace will be relaxed and basic fitness is all that is required. Day-long birdwatching excursions will be made and short/medium length walks, mostly on the flat, will be undertaken regularly.

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD Full-board accommodation is provided with the first three nights at the Rica Hotel in Kirkenes, two nights at the Quality Hotel Batsfjord, and three nights at the Hotel Vardo. All rooms are of a high standard with en suite facilities. Some days lunch will be a picnic and others at restaurants.

PRICE INCLUDES ….. All birdwatching excursions with expert leader, full-board accommodation, soft drinks at meal times, local transport by mini-bus, boat trip, return flights to Kirkenes, and flight and airport taxes.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED Cost of travel insurance, payable at the time of booking. Items of a personal nature, alcoholic drinks, laundry, etc.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS Return flight from Heathrow to Kirkenes (via Oslo) using the scheduled services of Scandinavian Airlines. Outbound flight departs mid-day, return flight arrives back early evening. Connecting shuttle flights are available on this tour for £60 return (due at time of booking), from Manchester and other regional airports.

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