Birding Hotspots Norway

Where is the Varanger Peninsula?

The Varanger Peninsula is at the north-east tip of Norway, 400 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. It is further north than the northernmost tip of Sweden and is very close to the Murmansk region of Russia. The only town in the area is Vardo, situated on a small island just off the tip of the peninsula, and is the easternmost point in Norway. Vardo has a population of just over 1,700 people. There is a small village located at the tip of the peninsula, called Svartnes. There is a tunnel between Vardo and Svartness.

How to get there?

It is possible to drive to the Varanger Peninsula, but the journey will be long and arduous. There are flights to Vardo from Tromso in north-east Norway. The Vardo airport is actually in Svartnes on the mainland. You can also travel by ferry on the Hurtigruten line, which runs along the entire Norwegian coast. You could board in Tromsø, or if you have the time and money, you could start your journey in Bergen, in southern Norway. The cruise to Vardo would be a great experience in itself. If you travel in winter, they guarantee that you will see the Northern Lights, or you get a free trip. However, winter is not the best time for birding.

Why go?

Why would anyone want to visit such a remote location? To see birds, of course. That’s what birders do. Species that you can see there include Common Eider, Steller’s Eider, King Eider, White-billed Loon, Black-throated Loon, Red-throated Loon (loons are called divers in Europe), Brunnich’s Guillemot, Gyr Falcon, Common Scoter, Velvet Scoter, White-tailed Eagle, Arctic Skua, Long-tailed Jaeger, Pomarine Skua, Temminck’s Stint, Spotted Redshank, Ruff, European Golden Plover, Purple Sandpiper, and many others

Where to look

One good spot to search is the small hamlet of Nesseby. The island of Hornoya is the best place to look for Brunnich’s Guillemot, which is just off the coast of Vardo.

In the south-west of the peninsula are some woodlands where you might see Arctic Redpoll, Siberian Tit, and Siberian Jay. Check the hills in the centre of the peninsula for Eurasian Dotterel and Bluethroat.

When to go?

The best time is early May to mid-June. After mid-June, birding remains good, but you will be plagued by flies and mosquitoes.

Photo Credits

King Eider by Arctic Wirestock

White-tailed Eagle by Ulfxpy

Long-tailed Jaeger by Rinus Baak

Gyr Falcon by Birdtripper

(M) Write a review