www.lappugle.net © Morten Günther 2008                    

 

Birding in Varanger

Welcome to Birding in Varanger - a website about birds and birding in Eastern Finnmark - the Norwegian borderland between NE Finland and NW Russia. 

Varanger is not only a political borderland squeezed in between our neighbouring countries. It is also a melting pot where northern and southern, western and eastern species meet in a variety of habitats. More than 250 species of birds are recorded in the area, and depending on the season you may find a large number of interesting species: White-billed Diver, Whooper Swan, Bean Goose, King Eider, Steller's Eider, Smew, White-tailed Eagle, Hen Harrier, Osprey, Gyr Falcon, Capercaillie, Hazel Hen, Rock Ptarmigan, Common Crane, Little Stint, Red Knot, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Jack Snipe, Spotted Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, Red-necked Phalarope, Long-tailed Skua, Little Gull, Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull, Snowy Owl, Great Grey Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Red-throated Pipit, Bohemian Waxwing, Bluethroat, Ring Ouzel, Arctic Warbler, Siberian Tit, Siberian Jay, Pine Grosbeak and Little Bunting.

There are several protected areas in Varanger. The most famous are probably Øvre Pasvik National Park, Pasvik Nature Reserve, Nesseby Nature Reserve, Ekkerøy Nature Reserve, Hornøya Nature Reserve and Varanger Peninsula National Park. Some of them are listed as Wetlands of International Importance (RAMSAR-areas).

Please explore this website for more information on birding in Varanger!

 

Contact information:

Morten Günther morten@lappugle.net

Phone: (+47) 41 909 837

Lived in Kirkenes and worked in the Pasvik Valley 1996-2003.    Now living in Fredrikstad, Østfold.