Båtsfjord

The main attraction here is the seabird colony of Syltefjordstauran, a steep cliff face. It holds one of the northernmost colonies of Northern Gannet in the world and one of Norway´s largest colonies of Kittiwakes (approx. 140.000 pairs).

Båtsfjord

Common and Brünnich´s Guillemots, Razorbills and Atlantic Puffins also breed in this colony (but are not so easily observed). White-tailed Eagles patrol the Syltefjord cliff attracted by the breeding seabirds. They can be easily seen in this area, where they fish in the fjord or hunt birds in the cliff. Find out more about the activities of Syltefjord, including birdwatching and sightseeing, on the Arctic Tourist Homepage.

Båtsfjord is a fishing village and is one of the biggest fishing ports in Finnmark county with thousands of boat arrivals each year. Fish processing is also a big industry here, and the activity here attracts many gulls and seaducks. The Barent Sea is one of the most fish rich areas in the world. When the fishing is good, the birding is good. In winter and spring the river delta is a reliable place for gulls, with Glaucous Gulls bathing and feeding in good numbers alongside lesser numbers of Iceland Gulls. Båtsfjord is in biring terms most famous for the good numbers of King Eiders that gather in their hundreds here alongside flocks of Common and Steller´s Eiders and Long-tailed Ducks. This spectacle is present from February-April. Båtsfjord is the best place to see King Eiders up close in Varanger, possibly the whole world. The floating photohides in the harbour offer a unique wildlife experience. These hides present low-level, intimate views of Common, King and Steller's Eider as well as Long-tailed Ducks.

Bird types in the area

Gannets
King Eiders

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Bird hides in the area

Floating Photohide in Båtsfjord

Other sites

Berlevåg

Bird types in the area:
Pomarine Skua
Ross' Gull
Northern Fulmar
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Kongsfjord

Bird types in the area:
White-tailed Eagle
Gyrafalcon
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Gednje

Bird types in the area:
Greater Scaup
Dotterel
Rough-legged Buzzard
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Tana

Bird types in the area:
Hawk Owl
Common Seal
Goosander
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Hamningberg

Bird types in the area:
Red-throated Diver
Merlin
White-billed Diver
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Hornøya

Bird types in the area:
Razorbills
Puffin
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Vardø

Bird types in the area:
King Eiders
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Kiberg

Bird types in the area:
Stellar's Eiders
Purple Sandpiper
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Komagvær

Bird types in the area:
Long-tailed Skua
Bluethroat
Golden Plover
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Ekkerøy

Bird types in the area:
Red Knot
Colonies of Kittiwakes
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Vadsø

Bird types in the area:
Arctic Tern
Red-throated Pipit
Stellar's Eider (female)
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Vestre Jakobselv

Bird types in the area:
Taiga Bean Goose
Arctic Redpoll
Long-tailed Duck
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Nesseby

Bird types in the area:
Waders
Redshank
Red-necked Pharalope
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Pasvik

Bird types in the area:
Siberian Jay
Siberian Tit
Hawk Owl
Pine Grosbeak
Brown Bear
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Kirkenes

Bird types in the area:
Golden Eagle
Red-throated Diver
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