Snowy Owl sites in Scandinavia (1 Viewer)

Are there any reliable Snowy Owl sites in Scandinavia? I'm contemplating a hiking trip to Abisko National Park in Sweden next year. Snowy Owl and Arctic Redpoll are the two Scandinavian species I have yet to see. I imagine that Arctic Redpoll is not too hard to find (correct me if I'm wrong) but was wondering if there was any way I could ensure I have good chances of finding Snowy Owl as well?

Abisko is a nice place and I really recommend a visit. However, it is not a reliable site for Snowy Owl. This year has been exceptionally good and that means 3 pairs breeding in all of Sweden as far as I know. In Northern Lapland, i.e. roughly the northenmost 350 km of the Swedish mountain range, there has been ca 1-3 observations per year lately. I believe that in the period 1983-2011 we have had breeding Snowy Owl in Sweden during only three years.

Arctic Redpoll is a little bit easier but still only around 10-20 observations (?) in the Abisko area each summer in spite of being a popular area among birders.

Gabriel

Thanks. I'd still like to go for the hiking and I'm sure there would still be plenty of interesting birds even if I can't manage my two target species.

Is there anywhere in the region you would recommend as being better for Arctic Redpoll?

I do not know any better sites so I think Abisko is probably where I would start looking. I do not live in the area though so maybe some local birder can fill in. Isn't there someone that posts ID questions from Abisko regularely?

Anyway, it is a scarce bird and the best thing I think is to have a look at the bird recording portal before going there, in order to get the latest updates (click the English icon in the top right corner).

http://www.artportalen.se/birds/default.asp

/G