Birdwatching

Varanger is a mecca for birdwatchers with a rich varied birdlife, some of them quite rare. Each year, large numbers of birds make the Varanger fiord and the Arctic Ocean their home for a period. They nest along the coast and in the spring and summer the sound of birds in the sky can be heard all over Varanger. According to local ornithologists, the distance between various different biotopes in the area makes Varanger a particularly interesting region for birdwatchers. Birds of all types, from mountainbirds to seabirds can be seen within the same area.

Along the roadside from Varangerbotn out to Hamningberg, different types of birds live their lives and nurture their young, build their nests and collect their food. Summer is a short season here in the far north and life for the birds is no holiday. A lot has to be done before they can point their beaks towards the south and head off in search of warmer winter weather. Danger lurks around every corner and sea eagles are generally close by. Disputes can arise in nesting places when empty spaces are hard to find.

If you would like to get up close to the birds, then the easiest thing to do is to head down to the water's edge. In Ekkerøy, east of Vadsø, around 40,000 kittiwakes nest in the cliffs, a unique experience that has to be seen. On Hornøya island, a ten-minute boat ride from Vardø, you can see our very own "parrot" - or so-called puffin. Last but not least, please respect the local birdlife.

Read more about birdwatching in Nesseby, Vadsø og Vardø