Norway Pre-trip Jul 25—31, 2010
Posted by David Bishop
David Bishop
David Bishop loves his vocation and cannot imagine anything better than exploring wild and beautiful places in Asia and the Pacific in the company of friends and clients. H...Related Trips
I doubt anyone will ever forget the magnificence of Norway's quite sublime, possibly even breathtaking landscapes—from the vertiginous series of switchbacks at Stalheim to misty mornings along towering fjords graced by lush, green woodlands, as the sun warmed flower-filled glades alive with butterflies. Typically for mid-summer, the birding was genteel, but even so we managed fine and prolonged studies of Europe's rarest woodpecker, the striking White-backed Woodpecker, as well as good views of a nice selection of Scandinavian woodland, coastal, and marsh land birds. We feel this enabled a good introduction to northern European birds, and provided a vivid contrast to what we encountered in Spitsbergen.
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Southwestern Norway— Photo: K. David Bishop |
During our stop at Herresåsen, some of the more interesting sightings were Crested Tit and Common Crossbill. We heard a Nutcracker calling and a Capercaillie taking off from deep cover. After lunch we walked along the river in the woods at Prestegardsmoen.
At the lovely museum overlooking the lake and the marsh at Lønaøyane, we encountered Common Goldeneye and a flock of 12 Twite, as well as Fieldfare and Redwing. From there we drove to Flåm via the spectacularly steep road at Stalheim. After lunch at Flåm we saw a Golden Eagle soaring high over the fjord. Our next stop was Hovsfjorden; it was very quiet except for a few Redshanks and a Common Snipe. After our evening meal at our hotel at Geilo, we drove to Budalen where we watched a handsome family of Black-throated Diver and saw a juvenile Bluethroat.
We made our way over the Hardangervidda, stopping at several places along the way. The highlight was no doubt the male Hen Harrier. We had our packed lunch at Tinnhølen and then took a short walk. Several species were seen including a female Scaup with young, 2 Common Cranes (flyover), European Golden-Plover, Dunlin, Temminck's Stint, and nestling Lapland Longspur. Our last stop of the day was Isdalen.
On a morning walk at Eidfjord we all enjoyed fine views of White-backed Woodpecker, as well as several of the commoner woodland species. From Eidfjord we drove to Kinsarvik where we had lunch and waited for the ferry to take us over the Hardangerfjord to Kvandal, where we said goodbye to Eddie and headed back to Bergen.
Many thanks to the ever ebullient and knowledgeable Eddie, and our wonderful driver for making this trip such a charm. And, of course, to all of you who chose to join us on this special pre-tour. We look forward to traveling with you again.