Follow The Norwegian Birding Route

 

Norheimsund  -  Fjords and Woodlands. Situated on the mighty Hardangerfjord with its wood covered slopes, the area offers both a rich birdlife and some spectacular scenery. The Hardangerfjord is not  Norway’s longest, but it can match it mile for mile for the scenery. Towering mountains dominate the landscape while small  hamlets can be found spread along the rugged shores of  the deep blue fjord.

Spring: The Beatles wrote a song entitled Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown). Hopefully the bird hasn’t flown, and you will see more than one. By May the woodlands around Norheimsund will be alive with the calls of birds. The Fjords too will be worth checking, Many species heading to their mountain breeding ground use the fjords as a sort of migration highway, stopping of along the way to rest and feed. May is the time of the year when Capercaillie and Black Grouse can be seen at their leks, it is also a good time to listen for drumming woodpeckers, maybe you will be lucky to find one of Europe’s most threatened, the White-backed Woodpecker or the commoner Grey-headed Woodpecker Members of the owl family should also be of interest for the visiting bird watcher. There is something special hearing the booming “oo-hu” call of the Eagle Owl echoing across the valley

Summer:  It is possible to bird in virtually untouched woodlands, here fallen trees are allowed to rot while dying trees provide nest sites and food for a selection of the commoner species. The woodland floor is open and is often covered in a rich plant life. Not only will you experience the sights and smells of the woodlands, If you get far enough away from the beaten track, you may also experience the sounds of the woodlands. Here it is only the call of a bird, a running stream or the buzz of a flying insect that is the only form of noise pollution. You can chose between birding in areas of deciduous woodlands or natural pine forests. Species like Grey-headed Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker prefer areas with deciduous woods while species like Crested Tit and Common Crossbill are birds of the pine forests. Birding in woodland areas can be rewarding, but it can often be difficult. Birds soon disappear between the foliage and it may be best to sit quietly and let the birds come to you. Before long species like Spotted Flycatcher will appear, always on the lookout for a passing insect. 

Autumn: Of all the seasons there is nothing quite like autumn. The changing colours of the woodlands against the blues of the fjords is a pleasure for the eyes. From late summer, Nutcracker’s will be busy hamstring hazel nuts for the winter. Species like Meadow Pipit and Northern Wheatear will be moving off the mountains and heading into areas of low lying farmland. These will be joined by flocks of thrush, soon it will be difficult to count numbers as the flocks get restless. The woodlands will have plenty to offer. Mixed flocks of tits will be roaming, these often hold both Goldcrest, Eurasian Treecreeper and Europen Nuthatch. Members of the finch family will also be flocking. Both Common Chaffinch and Brambling being amongst the commonest, but there should also be Common and Lesser Redpolls as well as small flocks of Siskin

The Mighty Hardangerfjord

Tengmalm’s Owl has been recorded during the breeding season

The coniferous woodlands provide both Common (pic) and Parrot Crossbill with prime habitat

Nutcrackers are busy collecting Hazel nuts through the autumn

Hardanger is a name that Norwegians associate with blossom and fruit. In truth the orchard of Norway! Who would believe that you can grow apples, pears, plums and even cherries at 60° north??