Varanger Fjord

The Varanger Peninsula in winter is a dramatic landscape of snow-clad fjells and tundra but the indented and craggy coastline is generally ice free, thereby creating a haven for flotillas of sea duck in the bays and harbours. However, these often enormous gatherings of wildfowl hold good numbers of rare species, not encountered elsewhere in Europe – Steller’s and King Eiders mingle with Long-tailed Ducks and Common Eiders. Our journey from Tana Bru to Båtsfjord provides an opportunity to find Gyr Falcon & White-tailed Eagle and the elevated tundra supports Willow & Rock Ptarmigans and sometimes the superb Snowy Owl. We commence our tour in Lapland and visit the region’s finest bird feeding station, where Pine Grosbeak, Siberian Jay and Siberian Tit are star visitors.

Day 1: Arrival at Ivalo airport. The Finnature guide will be waiting at the airport. If we have time, we will make an excursion to find some local species. There may be a chance to experience the Aurora Borealis.
Overnight – Ivalo

Day 2: This morning we’ll drive, through the vast Arctic landscape to Norway. We’ll stop by Kaamanen’s superb feeding station and thus its birds! A surprising number of species choose to remain in these seemingly barren boreal forests throughout the harsh winter months, therefore Kaamanen’s feeders attract a multitude of birds! This is a fine place for Pine Grosbeak, Siberian Tit, Siberian Jay, Mealy & Arctic Redpolls and Red Squirrels. From Tana Bru, we travel over magnificent mountain and tundra scenery to Båtsfjord - a small harbour town on the northern edge of Varanger. We’ll be keeping an eye out for Elk & Reindeer, snowy-white Willow Grouse, White-tailed Eagle, Gyr Falcon and possibly Snowy Owl.
Overnight – Båtsfjord

Day 3: Today we’ll be seeking out King, Steller’s & Common Eiders and Long-tailed Ducks as our photographic subjects. There may be some awesome viewing opportunities from the series of floating pontoons and the rocky shoreline, as the birds here are very approachable and pretty unconcerned with human presence! Other likely species are Purple Sandpipers, Glaucous & Iceland Gulls.
Overnight – Båtsfjord

Day 4: We travel over the fjells and onto the southern shoreline of Varanger, where the sheer numbers of sea duck bobbing offshore can be astounding, amongst which could be the magnificent White-billed Diver. Inquisitive seals could include true ’Arctic’ species such as Harp or Bearded Seals. We plan to make an excursion by boat, to visit the waters surrounding the large seabird colonies of Reinoya and Hornoya (weather permitting), home of thousands of sea birds, Brünnich’s & Black Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Puffins & Shags.
Overnight – Vardö

Day 5: Travelling through glorious winter scenery, we’ll drive back to Ivalo with stops en route.
Overnight – Ivalo

Day 6: Catch our return flight to the UK via Helsinki

Tour ref: AA1404

Cost: £2295
Deposit: £400
Single Room Supplement: £155

Leader: Gerry Griffiths

Max Group: 10 + 2 Leaders

Includes: Economy class scheduled return flights (UK-Ivalo-UK), accommodation based on twin occupancy, meals, transport in Norway & services of leaders.

Excludes: Travel insurance, drinks & items of a personal nature.