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 long time, if not for ever!
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Slettnes
Bird News!
»
Recent sightings and diary –
16/5
»
Seawatch totals – 16/5
»
Recent photos – 16/5
» White-billed Diver
photos – 13/5 |
Seawatching
in May 2008
Between 9 and 20 May 2008 we are two Swedish birding parties,
which will study the northbound spring migration of waterfowls,
especially skuas and divers. The French birder Alain Verneau
will join us and we do hope for great peek days of Pomarine
Skuas and White-billed Divers during our stay. |
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Peak
dates for Pomarine Skuas
18th May 1999: 1347 passing east
18th May 2004: 1232 passing east
17th May 1998: 1000 passing east
14th May 2002: 669 passing east
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Spring migrating Poms.
Photo: Mark Darlaston, May 2006. |
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