BIRDWATCHING VARDØ
For birdwatchers, the town and island of Vardø are a paradise. Few, if any towns in the world, have such a teeming bird life so near a town centre. Right on the edge of Vardø lie the islands of Hornøya and Reinøya which house large seabird colonies. On the innerside lies Bussesundet where thousands of ducks gather. The harbour area attracts large numbers of gulls, and there are good areas for passerines and waders. Birds of prey and skuas are often seen hunting around the island. Vardø is Norway’s easternmost town, with long traditions of fishing and trade. More and more ornithologists and photographers from around the world have discovered this unique and spectacular town. Even though the bird cliffs are the main attraction, the whole island is exciting. Its location is the reason why the most sensational rare birds appear here. Some of the more remarkable observations have been of Short-billed Dowitcher, Semi-palmated Plover, Glaucous-winges Gull, Spectacled Eider (2), White-winged Lark and Lesser Short-toed Lark (Hornøya).
Best time to visit
It is worthwhile to visit this outpost the whole period from late February until October. The best time is from the end of March until mid-July. Different species can be observed throughout the year, so this is a locality one can visit several times.
Habitat and observation species
The vegetation on Vardø is more luxuriant than on the mainland, the reason being that there is no grazing by reindeer. Inland on the island there are areas of willow, and some gardens have higher vegetation. One of the most interesting localities on the island is Sunndammen. This lies immediately below the old fortress, and is one of the best localities for waders and passerines. This is an area where it is easy to observe the birds, with a small bay and luxuriant willow scrub. Temminck’s Stint, Sedge Warbler, Red-throated Pipit and Arctic Redpoll are all common breeding birds. In most years there is also a colony of Arctic Terns here. The shallow bay is much used by resting waders during migration. Ringed Plover and Dunlin are the commonest waders, but one can also meet a number of other species.
Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff and Red-necked Phalarope are species one can expect to find here. From the end of February until mid-April, thousands of Common and King Eiders gather in large flocks around Vardø. This is one of the most fantastic sights that Varanger can offer.Thousands of Long-tailed Ducks and auks also gather at this time. In addition, hundreds of Steller`s Eiders often lie near land, often right into the harbour area. Several hundred Glaucous Gulls and a few Iceland Gulls also visit this area, and some of these remain in summer. Large flocks of Purple Sandpipers stay along the coast, and this is the only wader species that overwinters along the coast of Finnmark.
Large flocks of Purple Sandpipers stay along the coast, and this is the only wader species that overwinters along the coast of Finnmark.
The Snow Bunting is the first passerine to arrive in spring. The first arrive at the end of March and throughout April, and during May they gather in large flocks in snow-free areas along the coast. Several promontories around the island are worth visiting. From Hasselneset one looks over to Reinøya and the bird cliff on Hornøya. From here one can see all the auk species, including Brünnich`s Guillemot. On the north side of the island Skagen sticks out. Here there is a fine view over the sea, and this is also the best site on the island to watch seabird migration. Especially in May, divers and skuas pass by in large numbers. The Twite also nests in this area. Steilneset and Gullringneset are good localities for seeing flocks of ducks and eiders that lie on the east side of the island.
Access
From the mainland there is an undersea tunnel to Vardø. This come up in Austerviken. From here one can drive northwards to Hasselneset or southwards to Gullringneset. By going out on the jetties, the harbour area can be observed from both sides. The passenger boat “Hurtigruten” comes into Vardø daily. The airport, which lies immediately on the land side of the tunnel, has daily departures to Kirkenes which corresponds with the plane to Oslo. There are several possibilities for accommodation, both hotels and simpler alternatives. The harbour authorities operate daily tours out to Hornøya.
Further informationThis rugged town has gained an aesthetic improvement in recent years, with much creative street artistry. An observation hide is now placed on Steilneset and on the outer side out towards Skagen. The only area where it is forbidden to go, is in the military area on the east side of the island.
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
Address: The Icehouse
Ørtangen 10A, NO-9800 Vadsø
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