Bird watching in Söröya (Hasvik commune)

Kimmo Olkio

November 29, 2000
Jyväskylä, Finland

A summary of bird observations 1991–1995 and 1998–2000

We have been sea fishing and hiking in Söröya during years 1991-1995 and 1998-2000. Our camping place has been in Sandvika where we have stayed for 10-12 days from the middle of July to the end of the month. Sandvika is an ideal place for fishing and hiking in the mountain area; everything is so near. For fishing and watching sea birds we have a four meters long rubber boat with 28 hp outboard motor. We have also three telescopes, one of which being Swarovski (zoom 20-60x).

Söröya has come very familiar to us. As we all are eager bird watchers we also want to know what kind of avifauna is there. Especially during the last three years we have tried to visit different kinds of bird habitats to find out so many bird species as possible: July 1998 we saw 55, July 1999 57 and July 2000 60 species. During all these years we have seen 76 different bird species of which 41 (Table 1) yearly and 35 not yearly (Table 2). These species lists tell only what birds can be seen in Söröya during July. Many species are very difficult to see or hear after June. For example, the songbirds do not much sing after the middle of July. So, some species can be absent from our lists that are known to occur in Söröya. There are also some comments on the breeding places of the see birds.

To help reader to understand better the species lists we have added some seasonal comments. For example, a certain bird species can be seen from spring to autumn or it is resident. These comments are from "Birding the Varanger Peninsula" (see references). There the conditions are much alike in Söröya. The Norwegian names are from Morten Günther’s Homepage.

To our knowledge, this kind of information does not exist in Hasvik commune. However, our observations are a good start for that. This report is written for the information to the Hasvik commune and to the Finnmark’s Birding Society. The idea came from the policeman Steinar Aas Andersen.

The bird watching and fishing team:

References:

 

Table 1:
The bird species that we have seen in Söröya every year in July. The names are in Latin, in Norwegian and in Finnish.

Latin name Norwegian name Finnish name Observations etc.
Anthus pratensis Heipiplerke Niittykirvinen Very common visitor, also occurs in the mountain area, from spring to autumn
Carduelis flammea Gråsisik Urpiainen Very common resident, mostly in the bush habitats
Turdus iliacus Rødvingetrost Punakylkirastas Common visitor from spring to autumn
Turdus pilaris Gråtrost Räkättirastas Common visitor from spring to autumn
Oenanthe oenanthe Steinskvett Kivitasku Common visitor from spring to autumn
Phylloscopus trochilus Løvsanger Pajulintu Common visitor from spring to autumn
Emberiza schoeniclus Sispurv Pajusirkku Common visitor from spring to autumn, lives mainly in the bush habitats
Motacilla alba Linerle Västäräkki This visitor (from spring to autumn) is not numerous. It occurs in various habitats from the settlements to high sea cliffs.
Luscinia svecica Blåstrupe Sinirinta L. svecica occurs mainly in the bush habitats. The real abundance of this species is unknown to us because it’s unnoticeable in July. Occurs from spring to autumn.
Passer domesticus Gråspurv Varpunen This resident bird occurs in Hasvik, Breidvikbotn and in Sörväer.
Cinclus cinclus Fossekall Koskikara Localised resident (few birds) along brooks.
Corvus corax Ravn Korppi Common resident
Corvus corone cornix Kråke Varis Not as common resident as C. corax.
Pica pica Skjære Harakka Some resident birds occur mainly near the settlements.
Columba livia Klibbedue (bydue) Kesykyyhky Resident birds occur in Breidvikbotn (about 30 at least)
Numenius phaeopus Småspove Pikkukuovi Common visitor from spring to autumn
Pluvialis apricaria Heilo Kapustarinta Quite common visitor from spring to autumn
Tringa totanus Rødstilk Punajalkaviklo Quite common visitor from spring to autumn
Haematopus ostralegus Tjeld Meriharakka Quite common visitor from spring to autumn
Gallinago gallinago Enkeltbekkasin Taivaanvuohi Some birds occur in the meadows, for example in the near distance of Sandvika (from spring to autumn).
Sterna hirundo Makrellterne Kalatiira Quite common visitor from spring to autumn.
Sterna paradisaea Rødnebbterne Lapintiira Quite common visitor from spring to autumn. At least during years 1998-1999 a big colony (counted 400-500 birds) situated on the mountain area near Sörsandfjorden (Stupavatna). Year 2000 the colony was replaced with L. argentatus (gråmåke) colony. The same thing happened to the small colony of S. paradisaea in Breidvikvatna during year 2000.
Rissa tridactyla Krykkje Pikkukajava The most numerous species living in the sea. A big colony in Andotten and smaller one in Håen (near Hasvik). Scarce during winter.
Larus argentatus Gråmåke Harmaalokki Common resident
Larus marinus Svartbak Merilokki Common resident
Larus canus Fiskemåke Kalalokki Common visitor from spring to autumn.
Sterco parasiticus Tyvjo Merikihu Quite common visitor spring to autumn. It’s also found in the mountain area: quite numerous species (1999-2000) 30-40 birds near Sörsand- and Nordsandfjorden.
Alca torda Alke Ruokki This visitor from spring to autumn is not usually numerous in Söröya. During July 2000 it was common in Breidviksbotn (the food situation was better than normally). At the same time outside Hasvik A. torda occurred only with small numbers.
Fratercula arctica Lunde Lunni The same situation as with A. torda (Alke). Please, look the comments above
Cepphus grylle Teist Riskilä This visitor/resident bird is not numerous in Söröya.
Phalacrocorax carbo Storskarv Merimetso Common resident (all year?). For example, a big colony is situated outside Sörsandfjorden in a rocky islet, where 350-500 birds can been seen from the cliffs.
Phalacrocorax aristotelis Toppskarv Karimetso This resident (?) bird has usually been occurring with small numbers (under 10/year) from 1990-1999. During July 2000 about 60-80 birds were seen. The biggest flock was 35.
Uria aalge Lomvi Etelänkiisla This visitor from spring to autumn is not numerous in Söröya. Please, look the comments of A. torda (alke) and F. arctica (lunde); the same situation during July 2000.
Gavia arctica Storlom Kuikka This visitor from spring to autumn nests in the mountain ponds and feeds mainly in the sea.
Gavia stellata Smålom Kaakkuri This visitor from spring to autumn nests in the mountain ponds and feeds mainly in the sea.
Somateria mollisima Ærfugl Haahka This resident bird is not so numerous as in the continent)
Mergus merganser Laksand Isokoskelo Quite common from spring to autumn
Mergus serrator Siland Tukkakoskelo The coastal areas of Sörsand- and Nordsandfjorden are very important places for these birds to have their moulting ("= to change feathers"): counted few hundred birds yearly.
Anas platyrhynchos Stokkand Sinisorsa Some birds occur mainly in the ponds.
Buteo lagopus Fjellvåk Piekana The nesting stock is scarse in Söröya compared to other places in Finmark. 1999 one nest was found near Sandvika (Stupadalen cliffs). Year 2000 it was absent because of poor food (rodent) situation.
Haliaeetus albicilla Havørn Merikotka Resident in very small numbers. It seems that stock of H. albicilla was better in the early nineties. During last 3 years our team has seen 2 adults and 1-2 subadult birds per year (in July)
41 species      

 

Table 2:
Bird species that we have not seen every year in July in Söröya. The names are in Latin, in Norwegian and in Finnish.

Latin name Norwegian name Finnish name Observations etc.
Gavia adamsii/immer sp Gulnebblom/islom sp Jääkuikka/amerikan-jääkuikka sp Observed once (1 bird) outside Sandvika 21.7.1995
Alle alle Alkekonge Pikkuruokki One flying bird near the boat outside Sandvika 23.7.1991
Morus bassanus Havsule Suula The best possibilities to see M. bassanus are during and after stormy or foggy sea weather when the birds come closer to Söröya. Observations: 4 old birds outside Sörvaer 18.7.1998 and 2 birds (1 adult, 1 juvenile) in Breidvikbotn 18.7.1999
Puffinus puffinus Havlire Pikkuliitäjä Observed once outside Hasvik during foggy and rainy day: 1 bird circled our boat 21.7.1998.
Hydrobates pelagicus/

Oceanodroma leucorhoa sp		 Havsvale/

Stormsvale sp		 Meri-/myrskykeiju sp Observed once (1 bird) outside Hasvik 23.7.1994.
Fulmarus glacialis Havhest Myrskylintu F. glacialis comes closer to Söröya during and after stormy or foggy sea weather like M. bassanus (havsule). Observed first time 1994 (20 birds) and then during 1998, 1999 and 2000. At one site (outside Andotten) the biggest observed number of these birds was 110 (22.7.1999).
Larus hyperboreus Polarmåke Isolokki One juvenile (2. calendar year old) bird was local at the pier of Breidvikbotn 15.7. - 21.7.1998.
Stercorarius longicaudus Fjelljo Tunturikihu Few birds were observed yearly during 1991-1995. After that (1998-->) we have not seen this species though we have tried to find it from the mountain area.

(Look: S. parasitucus (tyvjo) in Table 1).
Melanitta nigra Svartand Mustalintu Observed only during years 1998-2000: 2-3 birds yearly (in Sandvika 1998 and 2000, in Nordsandfjorden 1999).
Clangula hyemalis Havelle Alli Observed only during years 1998-2000: 1-3 birds (Sörsandfjorden, Sandvika, Nordsandfjorden)
Anas acuta Stjertand Jouhisorsa A. acuta was nesting in Breidvikvatna during summer 2000: 1 female and 3 young birds were seen 17.7. Observed first time in the same place 17.7.1999: 3 females or juvenile birds (successful nesting?)
Anas penelope Brunnakke Haapana Observed only once: 1 female and 1 male (18.7.1998) in a small, eutrophicated pond near the road to Dönnesfjorden.
Anas crecca Krikkand Tavi A. crecca was nesting in Dalavatna during summer 2000: 1 female had 6 young birds (21.7.). Also few birds were observed during July 1998.
Ardea cinerea Gråhegre Harmaahaikara Observed one local bird in Sandvika 20. - 22.7.1992, two local birds in Korsvika (Hasvik) 23.7.1993 and one local bird in Breidvikvatna 20.7.2000.
Gallinago media Dobbeltbekkasin Heinäkurppa Observed one bird in the meadow of Sandvika 15.7.1998.
Charadrius hiaticula Sandlo Tylli Observed only four times (5 birds) during the years 1998-2000. Places: Hasvik and along the road to Dönnesfjorden

Probably a nesting species in Söröya.
Tringa erythropus Sotsnipe Mustaviklo Observed only one bird during July 1999 (Sandvika 21.7.) and July 2000 (Sandvika 21.7.).
Actitis hypoleucos Strandsnipe Rantasipi Observed only two times: one bird in a mountain pond along the road to Dönnesfjorden 24.7.1999 and in Sörvær 20.7.2000.
Tringa glareola Grønnstilk Liro Observed only few times mainly during the years 1998-2000.
Numenius arquata Storspove Isokuovi Observed only migrating birds in small numbers (July 1998, 1999 and 2000).
Calidris alpina Myrsnipe Suosirri Observed only one bird in Hasvik 27.7.2000
Aquila chrysaetos Kongeørn Maakotka Observed one adult bird along the road to Dönnesfjorden 22.7.1993.
Bubo bubo Hubro Huuhkaja Observed one bird in Andotten 24.7.1994.
Lagopus l. lagopus Lirype Riekko The only observations are from the mountain area along the road to Dönnesfjorden: 1 hatching female 24.7.1991 and 1 juvenile bird 24.7.1999.
Lagopus mutus Fjellrype Kiiruna The only observations are from the mountain area near Nordsandfjorden: 1adult bird 17.7.1998 and 6 adult birds 24.7.2000.
Turdus torquatus Ringtrost Sepelrastas T. torquatus belongs to the nesting birds of Söröya but this species is difficult to detect when hiking in the mountain area. The best chance and the easiest way to see T. torquatus is to watch the cliffs along the road to Dönnesfjorden (near Åfjorden, the sight seeing place). We have seen 6 birds of which four 21. - 25.7.2000.
Carduelis flavirostris Bergirisk Vuorihemppo The only observations are along the road to Dönnesfjorden (near Åfjorden): 4 birds 21.7.1999 and 3 birds 18.7.2000. Probably a nesting species in Söröya.
Carduelis hornemanni Polarsisik Tundraurpiainen Observed only once in Hasvik 19.7.1999. Probably a local and resident bird species in Söröya.
Plectrophenax nivalis Snøspurv Pulmunen P. nivalis belongs to the nesting birds of Söröya though we have seen these birds only during years 1999-2000: some adult birds and a few juvenile ones (2000) in the mountain area.
Fringilla montifringilla Bjørkefink Järripeippo Observed only few times but probably a nesting species in Söröya.
Acrocephalus schoebaenus Sivsanger Ruokokerttunen The only observations are from singing males: 2 in Hasvik 18.7.1998, 1 in Sandvika 18.7.1999, 1 in Sörvær 20.7.2000 and 1 in Dönnesfjord 21.7.2000.
Sturnus vulgaris Stær Kottarainen Observed only near Breidvikbotn: few birds 17.7.1999 and 2 birds 17.7.2000.
Phoenicurus phoenicurus Rødstjert Leppälintu One female was observed in Stupadalen 17.7.1998. The bird’s action indicated nesting.
Anthus petrosus Skjærpiplerke Luotokirvinen At least 4 birds were local (maybe nesting) at the stony pier in Sörvær 20.7.2000. Also one bird tried to land on the ferry in Hasvik 27.7.2000.
Hirundo rustica Låvesvale Haarapääsky A few birds were local in Hasvik during years 1993-1995.
35 species      
Total 76 species
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