BIRDS AT EKKERØY AND SALTJERN
Best time to visit
The Kittiwakes come back to Ekkerøy in March, or sometimes as early as February. At this time of year, the weather can change quickly between storm and rain, icicles hanging from the cliffs, moonlight and the Northern lights, so these first weeks can give really spectacular sights of nature. The species diversity, both on Ekkerøy itself and the surrounding areas, is however entirely different from mid-May when most bird watchers choose to come.
Habitat and observation species
Ekkerøy has grassy plains, heather, freshwater, steep cliffs, sandy beaches, tideline with rotting seaweed, and sheltered sea areas. This variation leads to a rich and varied birdlife in a rather limited area. A walk over the peninsula gives a fine view over the fjord, all the way to Russia on a fine day, and is very popular, also among visitors without any special interest in birds. There is a marked path through the reserve with information about plants, birds, and also events of the last war. On both sides of the road into the reserve, the sea is somewhat sheltered from stormy weather. Here Great Northern Diver and Yellow-billed Diver can be seen annually. Common Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, and Common Eider are often numerous, depending on the time of year.
The Steller’s Eider occurs here in winter and through most of the spring, when Goosander and Redbreasted Merganser become commoner. Black-throated Diver, Red-throated Diver and Cormorant appear regularly in the bay on the east side. The population of Arctic Tern varies somewhat, but it sometimes nests in large numbers. Along the beaches there are often large numbers of waders, including Little Stint. Ekkerøy is a good locality for the Sanderling in May-June. Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, Red-necked Phalarope, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher and Bar-tailed Godwit are common species, sometimes very numerous during migration. The Temminck’s Stint is less common, while the Ruff, here also, is becoming steadily scarcer. The Knot rests here in May in flocks of 2000-3000 or even more. The Red-throated Pipit and Horned Lark are among the most sought-after of the passerines. Wheatear and Meadow Pipit nest over most of the peninsula, while the Rock Pipit is scarcer.
The White-tailed Eagle can be seen regularly, and in good rodent years Rough-legged Buzzard and Shorteared Owl hunt out here. The Gyr Falcon preys on Kittiwakes in the bird cliff, while the Peregrine may also be seen hunting larger waders along the shore. In the bird cliff itself, the Kittiwake is completely dominant. The population was estimated at 20,000 breeding pairs in 1979, but has probably increased somewhat and then mainly decreased since then. There is also a smaller Kittiwake colony in a western-faced cliff within the inhabited area.
The Black Guillemot has become established as a breeding species with a few pairs in recent years, while Guillemot and Razorbill seem to be only sporadic visitors. The Raven nests in the immediate vicinity of the colony and regularly plunders the nests of the Kittiwakes. Early in the season, roseroot decorates the bird cliffs. Towards the end of the breeding season, large amounts of sea mayweed (subspecies phaeocephalum), together with rosebay willowherb at the top of the cliffs, can form a frame around the birds and provide fine subjects for the camera. For those interested in geology, there are unusually fine ripple marks on the outermost part of Skagodden.
When on Ekkerøy, you ought to check the freshwater pools and the tideline below road E75 – from the turning to Ekkerøy and further north-eastwards towards Krampenes. Here you find many of the same species. Lillelvneset is a fine locality for the Temminck’s Stint. The turning to Ekkerøy lies about 13 km east of Vadsø along main road E75.
Saltjern
The village of Salttjern is an underrated little pearl along E75. It is always worthwhile to check the small harbor at the west side of the village, but there are most birds in the bay with rotting seaweed on the east side, also on the nearby rocks.
The bay is sheltered, and can have many birds when there are poorer conditions elsewhere. If the water level is not too low, you gain a view from all sides of the bay, and can therefore choose to stand with the sun behind you for most of the day.
Habitat and observation species
Large numbers of Knot, often several thousand, gather here in the latter half of May. A few Ruff may also forage here, but the most common are Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Red-necked Phalarope, Oystercatcher, and Turnstone. The Little Stint can be quite common on autumn migration, the Spotted Redshank is often to be seen at the same time, and Purple Sandpiper mainly from winter to early summer. The Broad-billed Sandpiper has also been recorded here. The flocks of gulls on the rocks should also be checked for rarer species such as Sabine’s Gull. In some years the Arctic Tern nests here. There are good possibilities of seeing Pintail on spring migration, and late Steller’s Eiders sometimes appear in June. In addition, Common Eider, Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Tufted Duck, Goosander, and Red-breasted Merganser may often be seen. House Sparrow, Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear, and Pipits forage on small life along the tideline. On the upper side of the road, Red-throated Pipits often nest, and Twite may be seen here. Keep a lookout also for hunting Merlin.
Access
Salttjern village lies along road E75, about 9 km east of Vadsø and 4 km west of Ekkerøy. There is a large parking site a couple of hundred meters east of the village.
GREATER ARCTIC MOMENT
Aurora borealis in Varanger <3 We love it!
www.visitvaranger.no
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Photo: Odd Angell, Vadsø
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#auroraborealis #auroraphotography #aurora #northernnorway #northernlights #varanger #varangermoment #varangerhalvøya #varangerfjorden #arcticnorway #greaterarctic #coastoflapland #coastofnorway
Bike Varanger <3 More and more people are choosing to explore Varanger from the saddle on their bicycle. It’s no wonder why, considering the spectacular beauty one can see from the roads, mountains and valleys. The infrastructure in Varanger is excellent and easily accessible . This, combined with low volume traffic on the roads, makes bicycling in Varanger a pleasurable experience.
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Read more here: https://www.visitgreaterarctic.com/bicykling-in-varanger/
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Photocredit: Øystein Ruud, @varangerhalvoyaturlag og Thor-Arne Dallavara
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#bikersparadise #bicycling #mountainbikelife #varanger #arcticnorway #peninsula #bikenorway #redbull #bicycle #visitvaranger #ArcticRace ##ebikemtb #visitvaranger #finnmark #bikevaranger #varangermoments #greaterarctic #visitnorthnorway #visitnorway #marelius #greaterarctic
Take a timeout. Take a hike and #visitvaranger <3
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Varangerhalvøya is one of our 47 national parks i Norway. All of our national parks are free and open to the public all year round, and are further playgrounds for recreational adventures. Read 10 smart hiking tips for families with children here https://www.visitnorway.com/things-to-do/family-fun/mina-and-me/hiking-tips/
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Map (Pdf) https://www.nasjonalparkstyre.no/uploads/files_varangerhalvoya/Varangerhalvoya_engelsk_M-1138_web.pdf
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Photocredit: @Øystein Ruud // @varangerhalvoyaturlag
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#hikevaranger #trekkinglife #hikevibes #varanger #arcticnorway #visitvaranger #marelius #greaterarcticmoment #northnorway #finnmark #hikevaranger #skivaranger #sailvaranger #bikevaranger #silent #ultimathule #visitnorway #coastoflapland #icehouse Icehouse Varanger www.visitvaranger.no
Varangerhalvøya / Várnjárga /Varenkinniemi offers its visitors an ancient landscape of Arctic tundra, boulder fields, rich wetlands and riparian valleys with rivers that run to the Varanger Fjord and Barents Sea. Read more here: https://varangerhalvoya.no/en/about-the-national-park/
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Photo; ©Foto: Roger Ellingsen / Statens vegvesen
#discoverearth #welovevaranger #arcticlife #arcticocean #icehousevaranger #coastoflapland #visitvaranger #hiking #arcticwildlife #varanger #northernnorway #varangerpeninsula #varangerfjord ##discoverearth #arcticnorway #finnmark #mareliusarcticresort #greaterarctic #hamingberg #nationalscenicroute
Dont forget to live, love and play <3 #snowball #snow #winterfun #childrenoftheearth #liveloveplay
#peaceonearth #oneworld
#adventureworthy #visitnorway #visitnorthernnorway #northernnorway #visitvaranger #varanger
#wildernessculture #neverstopexploring #exploringtheglobe #earthpics #outsideisfree #discoverearth #lifeofadventure #mytinyatlas #lonelyplanet #beautyfuldestinations #wonderful_places
Wishing you sunshine, good times and a very happy Easter! ❤ #visitvaranger #visitnorway #explorearctic #lovelife #north #visitlapland #coastoflapland #greenbike #kickbike #marelius #icehouse #snow #eastern #arcticnorway #greaterarctic #varangermoments #vadsø #ekkerøy #vardø #smelror #beatavfinnmark #arcticyouth #kav
The story about Drakkar:
Long ago, in the northernmost parts of Norway, there lived a fierce Viking warrior named Ragnar. Ragnar was known throughout the land for his bravery in battle and his prowess as a shipbuilder.
One day, Ragnar decided to embark on a voyage to explore the waters of the Arctic Ocean. He commissioned his finest ship, a sleek and mighty drakkar, to be built and set out from his home port in Vardø.
As they sailed northward, Ragnar and his crew encountered many challenges, including treacherous ice floes, fierce storms, and attacks from rival clans. But they were undaunted and pressed on, determined to reach the furthest reaches of the Arctic.
Finally, after many long weeks at sea, they arrived at a desolate and icy shore, where they discovered a hidden cove teeming with exotic wildlife and abundant resources. They dubbed this new land "Island of the White Bear," and settled there, building a thriving village and trading outpost.
Ragnar`s drakkar became a legendary vessel, feared and respected throughout the region. Its imposing figure and fierce reputation made it a symbol of Viking strength and conquest.
And so, thanks to Ragnar`s daring expedition and the mighty drakkar that carried him, Vardø became a center of Norse power and exploration, and the story of the drakkar in Vardø lived on for generations to come.
#vikings #ragnar #drakkar #explore #visitvaranger Visit Varanger #varangerarcticnorway #greaterarctic #vikingstory #coastoflapland #visitlapland
Steilneset memorial, Vardø
Photo: Steinar Skaar, Statens vegvesen
#heksemonumentet #witchtrialsmemorial #witchesofinstagram #witchessociety #whitch #visitvaranger #nordnorge #northernlights #auroraborealis #vardø #eastcape #coastoflapland #mareliusarcticresort #greaterarctic #varangerarcticnorway #varangermoments
ENQUIRY FOR ARCTIC ADVENTURES
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Brand: Visit Varanger
Company: Greater Arctic Moment AS
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