Lapland (1 Viewer)

Steve Babbs

Well-known member

• Jan 10, 2015

• #1

Hi all

I'm in the early stages of think about a trip to Lapland at the end of May. We're thinking of flying to Skelleftea, in Sweden (due to it cheapness!) and then heading north towards Varanager. I've found a few trip reports, included Paul Chapman's one on BF, but any advice would be appreciated.

Regards

Steve

 

Steve Babbs

Well-known member

• Jan 27, 2015

• #2

I particular I'm interested in Steller's eider. The Gosney guide (written in 2010) says they've been diificult in late spring and summer in recent years. Does anyone know if that's still the case and where have been the best spots?

 

dantheman

Bah humbug

• Jan 27, 2015

• #3

You've checked cloudbirder?

Didn't manage to catch any Steller's on my trip late May/early June ish time 2011, but I think Milda's party did get 2 or so (on the shores of the island you get to from a nice tunnel and then leave for the famous Brunnich's island by boat trip (whose name escapes me at the mo)).

 

Last edited: Jan 27, 2015

birdboybowley

Well-known member.....apparently so ;)

• Jan 27, 2015

• #4

Every trip I've read so far have had Steller's in May...we'll be there around the 22nd

 

Jos Stratford

Eastern Exile

Staff member

• Jan 27, 2015

• #5

I also saw on my last trip in June, about three years ago. A cheap winter weekend to Estonia will however net you a whole bunch without much effort.

 

L

lobas

Well-known member

• Jan 28, 2015

• #6

Three Steller's Eider present late June last year in Vasdo harbour, check the blog below for a brief trip report.

 

Bananafishbones

Incoherently Rambling .....

• Jan 28, 2015

• #7

http://bfbsoutdoorramblings.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/finland-norway-2013-pt-4-varangafjord.html

I was there 17th \ 18th May 2013 and saw 60-70 in Vadso harbour. Then later on that evening some more at the Gull watching area of Vardo looking out towards Hornoya Guillemot colony, these Stellas were close to the rocks all around the piece of headland.

Dave

 

Miilda

Well-known member

• Jan 29, 2015

• #8

dantheman said:

Didn't manage to catch any Steller's on my trip late May/early June ish time 2011, but I think Milda's party did get 2 or so (on the shores of the island you get to from a nice tunnel and then leave for the famous Brunnich's island by boat trip (whose name escapes me at the mo)).

Click to expand...

We didn't see Steller's around the island, but we saw one or two female type birds in the other fjord, can't remember the exact place now. I'll dig my notes and post the name later.

The island was Hornoya. It was a boat trip from Vardo and one of the highlights of the whole trip. Short video could be seen here.

But if no success in Norway, the visit to Estonia in winter time is wise advice. Just don't do it too early, we were in December one year and there were no Steller's yet, but later in the season you could find great numbers of them.

 

Last edited: Jan 29, 2015

dantheman

Bah humbug

• Jan 29, 2015

• #9

Miilda said:

We didn't see Steller's around the island, but we saw one or two female type birds in the other fjord, can't remember the exact place now. I'll dig my notes and post the name later.

Click to expand...

Trying to remember where some one else has seen something is all very well when you can't even remember where you've been yourself I certainly looked around Vardo then, don't necessarily feel quite so bad about dipping now ...

Any clue as to the rough date before/when you find your notes? Not got anything written down anywhere to hand ...

 

Steve Babbs

Well-known member

• Jan 29, 2015

• #10

Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

Miilda

Well-known member

• Jan 30, 2015

• #11

dantheman said:

Any clue as to the rough date before/when you find your notes? Not got anything written down anywhere to hand ...

Click to expand...

I saw one female Steller's Eider, among the Common Eiders, along the Vardo coast, the exact coordinates of the place are 70.381975,31.079099.

Our trip was in the period of 19 June - 1 July 2011.