Slettnes lighthouse is the northernmost
mainland lighthouse in the world! Most birders associate Arctic
Norway with the Varanger Peninsula, but there is a little known
peninsula between Varanger and North Cape, named Nordkyn. The
northen tip of Nordkyn, Slettnes, is more than just a great
seawatching spot. It is a nature reserve since 1995 and every
summer researchers from Europe visit the area doing studies
on waders, ducks, Arctic Terns and Arctic Skuas. This relative
small area hold a large breeding population of Arctic Skuas
(approximately 200 pairs), Arctic Tern (1200 pairs), Red-throated
Pipit (60), Wheatear (50), Snow and Lapland Bunting (100 pairs
respectively), not to mention all the wader and duck species!
A visit at Slettnes in May or June will probably stay in your
mind for a very long time!
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Slettnes
Bird News 2009
»
Seabird totals
– 19th May
»
Recent sightings – 17th May
»
Photo gallery – 13th May
» Birding
diary (PDF) – May 2008
»
White-billed Diver photos –
May 2008 |
Seawatching
in May 2009
During 8 and late May 2009 a team of Swedish, Norwegian and
Finnish hardcore birders are counting the arctic seabird migration
at Slettnes lighthouse. For the first time ever this team will
undertake a twenty-four-hour counting of the seabird migration! |
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Movie
about the birds at Slettnes
This
is a very nice movie about the birds at Slettnes made
by the Norwegian TV. The well-known scientist Karl-Birger
Strann, who have spent many years at Slettnes, is the pedagogic
guide. Unfortunately, the speaking is in Norwegian language,
however, the movie speak for itself!
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Peak
dates of Pomarine Skuas
18th May 1999: 1347 passing east
18th May 2004: 1232 passing east
10th May 2009: 1221 passing east
17th May 1998: 1000 passing east |
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