© Marten Bril

Go birdwatching in Northern Norway

Northern Norway’s birdlife is rich. Here are some tips as to where to look for birds

Puffins, auks, common guillemots, kittiwakes, northern gannets and cormorants on the bird cliffs, white-tailed eagles along the coast, wading birds in the wetlands and loons on tranquil woodland lakes. The birdlife in Northern Norway is rich and varied.

The bird cliffs are gigantic sound machines

The sea here is a rich source of food for puffins, auks, common guillemots, kittiwakes, northern gannets, storm petrels, northern fulmars, and cormorants. The puffins arrive on Lovund every year on 14 April. Gjesværstappan in Finnmark is home to a giant colony of kittiwakes, while Sværholtklubben has the largest colony of common guillemots. Several places organise boat trips to the bird cliffs, but on Ekkerøya in Varanger, all you actually need to do is park your car.

Eagles have the full overview

Northern Norway is home to a healthy, thriving population of white-tailed eagles, and the sight of these majestic birds circling above the landscape is quite common in this part of the country. In some places, you can join an eagle safari to see an eyrie.

Man’s best friend is the eider

The common eider co-exists peacefully and happily with the coastal population. The locals often build small bird boxes for the females, and in return they collect down to make eiderdowns. People collect down all along the coast, particularly in the south.

Spring brings more birdlife

Early in the spring, the wading birds start to gather together on the gently sloping seashores before gradually moving inland onto the wetlands. Tranquil woodland lakes are home to great crested grebes, loons and whooper swans. In May, the capercaillies perform their mating game, which is easier to hear than to see.