BIRDS AT ELVENES AND STORSKOG
The lush forest areas on the east side of the river at Elvenes were discovered by forestry administrator Arthur Klerck about 100 years ago. He secured right of ownership and formed a whole small park consisting of several hundred kinds of trees that normally should not be found so far north. Siberian larch and several different kinds of spruce still characterize this area which is called Elvenes Park. Skafferhullet by Boris Gleb was originally a sand and gravel quarry, where there previously was a border crossing to the Soviet Union. Today the border crossing has been moved to Storskog some kilometres further east.
Best time to visit
Elvenes-Storskog has most to offer bird-watchers during the summer period (April-September). The Arctic Warbler is a possibility from mid-June to mid-July.
Habitat and observation species
The area between Elvenes and Jarfjordbotn offers small lakes, bogs and various mountain ridges. Most interesting, however, are the areas of lush birch forest, where one can find species such as Woodcock, Dunnock, Wren, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Arctic Warbler and Chiffchaff. The mouth of Pasvikelva and the inner part of Bøkfjorden are locally important sites for resting duck species. Flocks of up to 380 Goosanders have been recorded here in August-September. The Red-throated Diver uses the area as a fishing site, and here one can also see Black-headed Gull and Little Gull.
Access
Follow the roads E6/E105 eastwards from Kirkenes/ Hesseng towards Elvenes. Check the small lakes along the way (Abborvatnet, Ternevatnet and Rundvatnet) for nesting Red-throated Diver and Arctic Tern. Take to the right towards Skafferhullet just past Rundvatnet. A gravel road leads to the south-east past Elvenes border station, a gravel quarry and a small motor-cross track. The Little Bunting has been found nesting by this road. At the fence at the Russian border (after 2 km) one has a good view of the Boris Gleb hydroelectric station and the lower part of the Pasvik river. Check the sandbanks for ducks, waders and resting common seals. Rough-legged Buzzard and Kestrel are often seen here.
Other possible species are Little Gull, Woodcock, Sand Martin, Bluethroat, Arctic Redpoll and Little Bunting. A telescope is recommended. At Elvenes bridge it is worthwhile checking both the sea side and the river side for resting birds. Red-throated Diver, Common Eider, Velvet Scoter, Goldeneye, Goosander and Red-breasted Merganser are all common here. King Eider and Smew may appear, and Surf Scoter has once been seen in the summer. Of mammals, Common Seal, Grey Seal and Bearded Seal have been recorded. Parking is easiest on the north side of the bridge. From here one can follow a path along the river bank southward through Elvenes Park. This is a fertile area that can have passerine species such as Dunnock, Chiffchaff, Song Thrush, Pied Wagtail and Greenfinch.
Both Little Bunting and Red-flanked Bluetail have also been reported in this area. Remember to check bird feeding sites in the housing areas for uncommon species in winter and spring. At Storskog border station road no. 886 turns off eastward towards Grense Jakobselv. For the first 500 metres the road goes slightly upwards with lush bird forest on both sides. In recent years this has been one of the best localities for singing Arctic Warblers in SørVaranger. A good strategy can be to park at the top of the hill and walk down again. The species has also been heard singing by Jarfjordbotn and Myrstad (nearer Elvenes).
Further information
In winter it may be worthwhile to make a detour northwards from Elvenes to Jakobsnes, Ropelv and Reinøysund (20 km). The road runs along the east side of Bøkfjorden and gives possibilities of observing ducks and other seabirds that rest in the fjord. The King Eider occurs regularly. Golden Eagle, Rough-legged Buzzard and Gyr Falcon can in some years nest in the area.
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 ADVENTURES
VISIT VARANGER
Greater Arctic Norway AS
visitvaranger (a) gmail.com
+ 47 938 24 248
Vadsø, Arctic Norway
VADSØ , VARANGER ARCTIC NORWAY
BOOK A NIGHT OR TWO IN THE ICEHOUSE
Probably one of the coolest accommodation in Varanger