The best birdwatching sites across Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland — from Falsterbo and Hornborgasjön to Varanger, Skagen and Liminka Bay.
Sweden
Abisko — Norrbotten. A mountain national park. Bluethroat, Ring Ouzel, Eurasian Dotterel and Willow Ptarmigan.
Åkulla bokskog — Halland. Old beech woodland in Halland with Black Woodpecker, European Pied Flycatcher and Black Grouse.
Ammarnäs — Västerbotten. A mountain village with rich wetlands. Bluethroat, Red-necked Phalarope and Bar-tailed Godwit.
Amungen — Gävleborg. A mountain-adjacent lake in Ljusdal with Black-throated Loon, Bar-tailed Godwit and Rough-legged Buzzard.
Angarnsjöängen — Stockholm. Bird-rich lake meadow north of Stockholm with Eurasian Bittern, Western Marsh Harrier and Great Crested Grebe.
Ångermanälven, Kramfors — Västernorrland. Broad river valley in Ångermanland with White-tailed Eagle, Black-throated Loon and Osprey.
Ånnsjön — Jämtland. A mountain-fringe bird lake with a bird observatory. Red-throated Loon, Bar-tailed Godwit, Rough-legged Buzzard.
Araslövs mosse — Skåne. A bog near Hässleholm with Common Crane, Ruff and Eurasian Curlew.
Asköviken — Västmanland. A grazed shore meadow on Lake Mälaren. Waders, ducks, and disturbance-sensitive species.
Åsnen — Kronoberg. A lake district in Kronoberg with White-tailed Eagle, Osprey and Black-throated Loon.
Båven — Södermanland. Clear-water lake in Södermanland with Black-throated Diver, Osprey and White-tailed Eagle.
Billerudsviken — Värmland. A shallow bay in Lake Vänern near Grums with Eurasian Bittern, Western Marsh Harrier and Whooper Swan.
Björklingefjärden — Uppsala. A bird-rich bay in Uppsala with Greylag Goose, Whooper Swan and Western Marsh Harrier.
Bornsjön — Stockholm. Stockholm's water supply — a protected zone of untouched nature. White-tailed Eagle and Eurasian Hobby.
Börringe kloster — Skåne. A manor and lake south of Malmö with White-tailed Eagle, Eurasian Wigeon and Whooper Swan.
Bråviken — Östergötland. A fjord with Smew, Long-tailed Ducks and Velvet Scoters in winter.
Brudarebacken — Västra Götaland. A nature park in Gothenburg with Green Sandpiper, Common Pochard and Grey Wagtail along the river.
Burgsviken — Gotland. A shallow bay in southern Gotland with waders, diving ducks and White-tailed Eagle.
Ekopark Böda — Kalmar. Sveaskog's ecopark in northern Öland with Golden Eagle, Honey Buzzard and Capercaillie.
Falsterbo — Skåne. Europe's premier migration site. 500+ raptors a day in the right winds in September.
Falun, stadsnatur — Dalarna. River and lake scenery in Falun with Grey Wagtail, White-throated Dipper and Common Kingfisher.
Färnebofjärden — Gävleborg. A national park with a central-Sweden mosaic of lakes and forests. White-tailed Eagle and Black-throated Diver.
Fiby urskog — Uppsala. Pristine old-growth forest near Uppsala with Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker and owls. The trail is currently closed.
Finjasjön — Skåne. One of Skåne's largest lakes, just north of Hässleholm, with Great Crested Grebe, Western Marsh Harrier and Common Tern.
Frösjön — Södermanland. Small lake in Södermanland with Eurasian Wigeon, Tufted Duck and Common Goldeneye.
Fyledalen — Skåne. A deep valley in eastern Skåne with European Nightjar, Woodlark and Northern Wheatear.
Fyrisån, Uppsala — Uppsala. A river running through Uppsala with Grey Wagtail, White-throated Dipper and Common Kingfisher.
Gammelstadsviken — Norrbotten. A nature reserve on the edge of Luleå. Red-throated Diver, Western Marsh Harrier and Whooper Swan.
Gävle hamn — Gävleborg. An industrial harbour with a rich seabird life — Arctic Tern, Common Tern and skuas.
Gavleån — Gävleborg. A river running through Gävle with White-throated Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Common Kingfisher.
Getholmen — Stockholm. A nature reserve on Ljusterö with an old fortification and coastal birdlife.
Getterön — Halland. A nature reserve with birding hides, accessible year-round. A wealth of waders and ducks.
Glan — Östergötland. Long lake north-east of Norrköping with White-tailed Eagle, Great Cormorant and Smew.
Gotlandskusten norr — Gotland. The coast of northern Gotland with Common Eider, Arctic Tern and Common Tern along the cliffs.
Hammarsjön — Skåne. Kristianstad's Vattenriket — a Ramsar-listed delta landscape. Eurasian Bittern, Western Marsh Harrier, Great Crested Grebe.
Hanöbukten — Blekinge. An open bay in Blekinge with Northern Gannet, skuas and Long-tailed Duck on seabird passage.
Haparanda skärgård — Norrbotten. Bottenviken archipelago with Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter and Common Eider at the Finnish border.
Härnösands skärgård — Västernorrland. Archipelago south of Härnösand with Common Eider, Black-throated Loon and White-tailed Eagle.
Haverdal — Halland. Sand dunes and shore meadows. Pied Avocet, Little Tern, staging waders.
Hjälmarens södra strand — Södermanland. The southern shore of Lake Hjälmaren with Bean Goose, Whooper Swan and White-tailed Eagle in spring.
Hjälstaviken — Uppsala. A Natura 2000 site by Lake Mälaren. Great Bittern, Western Marsh Harrier, Great Crested Grebe.
Holmhallar — Gotland. A southerly migration site on Gotland with raptors, warblers and waders on autumn passage.
Holmöarna — Västerbotten. A nature reserve in the Gulf of Bothnia. Common Eider, Black Guillemot and Velvet Scoter.
Hornborgasjön — Västra Götaland. Sweden's most famous Common Crane site. 20,000 cranes gather here every spring at Trandansen.
Hornöberget — Västernorrland. A high hill with a migration watchpoint. White-tailed Eagle, Golden Eagle and migrating raptors.
Hornsjön, Öland — Kalmar. A lake in northern Öland with Common Crane, Marsh Harrier and Greylag Goose.
Hunneberg — Västra Götaland. Plateau mountain by Lake Vänern, known for migrating Honey Buzzard, Common Buzzard and Eurasian Sparrowhawk.
Ismantorpskogen — Kalmar. Old-growth-like woodland on Öland with European Honey Buzzard, European Nightjar and Woodlark.
Jävre — Norrbotten. Broken terrain near the coast. Smew, Long-tailed Duck, Merlin and Rough-legged Buzzard.
Kalixälven — Norrbotten. River mouth in Kalix with White-tailed Eagle, Common Gull and Grey Wagtail.
Kapelludden — Kalmar. A migration site in southern Öland with warblers, waders and raptors on autumn passage.
Klarälven, Karlstad — Värmland. A river valley running through Karlstad with Grey Wagtail, White-tailed Eagle and Common Kingfisher.
Kosteröarna — Västra Götaland. Islands of the marine national park, with Common Guillemot, Black Guillemot and Northern Gannet.
Krankesjön — Skåne. A shallow, bird-rich lake in Skåne with Ruff, Eurasian Wigeon and White-tailed Eagle.
Kullaberg — Skåne. A nature reserve on the north-western tip of Skåne. A migration watchpoint, with Common Kestrel and Northern Raven.
Kvarnbergsvattnet — Jämtland. Mountain lake in Härjedalen with Red-throated Loon, Rough-legged Buzzard and Bar-tailed Godwit.
Kvismaren — Örebro. A wetland with a bird observatory. A classic wader and duck paradise.
Kyrkfjärden — Stockholm. Archipelago bay near Norrtälje with Whooper Swan, White-tailed Eagle and Common Eider.
Kyrksjön, Hudiksvall — Gävleborg. Clear-water lake near Hudiksvall with Black-throated Loon, Osprey and White-tailed Eagle.
Limhamns kalkbrott — Skåne. An urban nature reserve. Breeding Eurasian Eagle-Owl, Peregrine Falcon, Common Kestrel.
Lina myr — Gotland. A large mire in the centre of Gotland with Common Crane, Eurasian Curlew and European Golden Plover.
Ljungan, Medelpad — Västernorrland. A river valley in Medelpad with Grey Wagtail, White-throated Dipper and White-tailed Eagle.
Luleå skärgård — Norrbotten. Archipelago around Luleå with Common Eider, Black-throated Loon and White-tailed Eagle in beautiful Norrland scenery.
Maglehem — Skåne. A farming landscape near Kristianstad with Common Nightingale, Eurasian Golden Oriole and Yellowhammer.
Måkläppen — Skåne. A protected coastal spit at Falsterbo. Seals and terns. Closed during the breeding season.
Malå — Västerbotten. A forest landscape in north-western Västerbotten with Siberian Jay, Three-toed Woodpecker and Golden Eagle.
Mörrumsströmen — Blekinge. A rapids-rich river system in Blekinge with Grey Wagtail, White-throated Dipper and Kingfisher.
Muddus — Norrbotten. A national park with virgin forest. Siberian Jay, Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker and Western Capercaillie.
Näckån, Östersund — Jämtland. A flowing stream near Östersund with Grey Wagtail, White-throated Dipper and White-tailed Eagle.
Neptuni åkrar — Kalmar. A shingle field in northern Öland with Pallid Harrier, Ortolan Bunting and Tawny Pipit.
Nossebro — Västra Götaland. Farmland country in Västra Götaland with Common Crane, Whooper Swan and Greylag Goose during migration stopovers.
Ölands södra udde — Kalmar. The southern tip of Öland. Intense migration at the Långe Jan lighthouse in spring and autumn.
Öresund vid Viken — Skåne. A Skåne coastline with winter birds. Long-tailed Duck, Smew and Velvet Scoter.
Orsa Grönklitt — Dalarna. A mountain environment in Orsa with European Honey Buzzard, Common Buzzard and Golden Eagle.
Öslättfors — Gävleborg. Gateway to the Testeboån nature reserve in Gävle with White-tailed Eagle, Osprey and Black-throated Loon.
Ottenby — Kalmar. The southern tip of Öland. A classic migration and staging site, home to Ottenby Bird Observatory since 1946.
Oviksfjällen — Jämtland. Mountain terrain in southern Jämtland with Willow Ptarmigan, Eurasian Dotterel and Rough-legged Buzzard.
Oxfjärden — Stockholm. Sheltered bay in the Norrtälje archipelago with Smew, Long-tailed Duck and Velvet Scoter.
Pukavik — Blekinge. A stretch of coast in Blekinge with migrating diving ducks and Long-tailed Duck in winter.
Rådasjön — Västra Götaland. A lake south of Gothenburg with Red-throated Loon, White-tailed Eagle and Great Crested Grebe.
Råneå — Norrbotten. River delta and archipelago south of Luleå with Smew, White-tailed Eagle and Black-throated Loon.
Rånö — Stockholm. Archipelago island in Haninge with Common Eider, Black Guillemot and Arctic Tern.
Revingefältet — Skåne. A large military field south of Lund with Short-toed Lark, Woodlark and Northern Wheatear.
Riddersholm — Stockholm. A nature reserve on Rådmansö in Norrtälje with Eurasian Wigeon, Osprey and White-tailed Eagle.
Ringhals — Halland. A headland near Varberg known for sea passage with Northern Gannet, skuas and Northern Fulmar.
Rinkaby skjutfält — Skåne. Open sandy heath south of Kristianstad with Pallid Harrier, Eurasian Golden Oriole and Red-backed Shrike.
Rogen — Jämtland. Nature reserve in Härjedalen with Red-throated Loon, Black-throated Loon and Rough-legged Buzzard.
Roma kloster — Gotland. A historic monastery ruin on Gotland with Thrush Nightingale, Common Rosefinch and Golden Oriole.
Roxen — Östergötland. Large lake in Östergötland with Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose and White-tailed Eagle by the Göta Canal.
Runn — Dalarna. A lake in Falun with Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose and Great Crested Grebe near the Dalarna town.
Särö Västerskog — Halland. A coastal woodland site in Kungsbacka with European Nightjar, Woodlark and Common Kestrel.
Sätoftasjön — Skåne. A clear-water lake in Hörby with Tufted Duck, Common Pochard and Whooper Swan in winter.
Sättrasjön — Kalmar. A bird-rich lake near Kalmar with Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose and Common Crane.
Schäferiängarna — Kalmar. A grazed coastal meadow at Ottenby, southern Öland. Black-tailed Godwit, Northern Shoveler and Ruff.
Sidsjön, Sundsvall — Västernorrland. A bird-rich lake in central Sundsvall with Eurasian Bittern, Western Marsh Harrier and Great Crested Grebe.
Siljan — Dalarna. A large lake in Dalarna with Black-throated Loon, Red-throated Loon and Osprey at the heart of the valley.
Snogeholmssjön — Skåne. A manor lake in a nature reserve with Whooper Swan, Eurasian Wigeon and regular White-tailed Eagle.
Söderbysjön — Stockholm. Calm lake in Haninge south of Stockholm with Red-throated Diver, White-tailed Eagle and Osprey.
Sommen — Jönköping. Clear-water lake in Jönköping with Black-throated Diver, Osprey and Common Sandpiper.
Söråkersfjärden — Västernorrland. Shallow bay south of Härnösand with Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose and Eurasian Wigeon.
Steningedalen — Stockholm. A nature reserve with ponds (Märsta water park) behind Märsta station, with a bird tower and viewing platforms.
Stigfjorden / Nordens Ark — Västra Götaland. Bohuslän's rich archipelago fjord. Common Eider, Velvet Scoter, Black-throated Loon and White-tailed Eagle in an unspoilt setting.
Stora Alvaret — Kalmar. A World Heritage Site. Pallid Harrier, White-backed Woodpecker, Tawny Pipit and Ortolan Bunting.
Stora Karlsö — Gotland. A Common Guillemot colony of 20,000 pairs. Razorbill, Black Guillemot and Atlantic Puffin, accessible by day trips.
Store Mosse — Jönköping. Southern Sweden's largest mire. Common Crane, Eurasian Curlew and European Golden Plover.
Storsjön, Östersund — Jämtland. A large mountain lake in Jämtland with Grey Heron, Whooper Swan and White-tailed Eagle.
Tåkern — Östergötland. The jewel among Sweden's bird lakes. Western Marsh Harrier, Common Crane, Great Bittern, and millions of migrating geese.
Tannforsen — Jämtland. Sweden's mightiest waterfall in Åre with White-throated Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Common Kingfisher.
Tjärnö — Västra Götaland. Nature reserve with a marine biology station, with Common Eider, Common Merganser and Great Cormorant.
Tjolöholm — Halland. A beautiful Halland coast at Tjolöholm castle with White-tailed Eagle, Common Eider and Black-throated Loon.
Töre skärgård — Norrbotten. Coastal archipelago north of Luleå with Common Eider, Black-throated Loon and White-tailed Eagle.
Torhamns udde — Blekinge. A classic migration site in Blekinge with raptors, waders and seabirds.
Torneälven — Norrbotten. Border river with Finland with White-tailed Eagle, Grey Wagtail and Black-throated Loon.
Tosteberga — Skåne. A reed-rich site in Kristianstads Vattenrike with Eurasian Bittern and Savi's Warbler.
Tysslingen — Örebro. Bird-rich lake near Örebro with Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose and Eurasian Wigeon.
Umedeltat — Västerbotten. A wetland delta at the mouth of the Ume River. Little Gull, Ruff, Red-necked Phalarope.
Vänersnäbb — Västra Götaland. Shoreline site on southern Lake Vänern with Whooper Swan, White-tailed Eagle and Greylag Goose.
Värmlandsnäs — Värmland. A peninsula in Lake Vänern with White-tailed Eagle, Whooper Swan and Eurasian Wigeon along the shores.
Vendelsjön — Uppsala. A clear-water lake north of Uppsala with Red-throated Loon, Osprey and Black-throated Loon.
Vindelälven — Västerbotten. An unspoilt Natura 2000 river in Västerbotten with White-tailed Eagle, Grey Wagtail and Black-throated Diver.
Vivstavarvsudden — Västernorrland. Migration site in Timrå with Grey Plover, Arctic Tern and staging waders.
Vombsjön — Skåne. A Skåne bird lake near Malmö. Osprey, Western Marsh Harrier, staging geese.
Vuollerim — Norrbotten. River valley in Jokkmokk with White-tailed Eagle, Black-throated Loon and Golden Eagle.
Norway
Akerøya — Østfold. An uninhabited island in the Hvaler archipelago with a bird observatory since 1961. Heavy autumn migration owing to its outer location; a nature reserve since 1978.
Åkersvika naturreservat — Innlandet. Norway's first Ramsar site, protected in 1974. A wetland at the northern tip of Mjøsa with 226 recorded bird species. Two bird towers on site.
Anda naturreservat — Nordland. One of Nordland's largest Atlantic Puffin colonies, with around 16,000 pairs. Ramsar status since 2013, and also Black-legged Kittiwake, Razorbill, Common Guillemot and White-tailed Eagle. There is a lighthouse on the island.
Andøya — Nordland. At the outer edge of Vesterålen, known for White-tailed Eagle, Atlantic Puffin and a rich birdlife along the coast and on the Bleiksøya seabird cliff just offshore.
Årungen — Akershus. A shallow, nutrient-rich lake south of Oslo on the boundary between Ås and Frogn. An important wetland with breeding Mute Swan and several red-listed species.
Atnsjømyrene naturreservat — Innlandet. A bog and wetland area at the northern end of Atnsjøen in Sollia (Stor-Elvdal municipality), protected as a nature reserve on 7 December 2001 and with status as a Ramsar wetland of international importance. The reserve covers about 533 hectares and is of value for birdlife, research and education alike.
Bjårvatnet — Rogaland. Bjårvatnet lies just inland of Brusand in Hå municipality and is protected as a nature reserve to safeguard wetland birds. This was the first site on Jæren where the Eurasian Reed Warbler established itself as a breeding bird.
Bleiksøya — Nordland. A nature reserve and IBA just off Bleik. Historically one of Norway's largest Atlantic Puffin colonies, with a sharp decline in recent years. White-tailed Eagle hunt regularly around the island.
Borrevannet — Vestfold. Borrevannet is a 4.5-kilometre-long lake in Horten where the water, the shore zones and the wetland at Vassbånn are protected as a nature reserve of 2,160 decares. Around 256 bird species have been recorded, of which 110 are breeding, with up to 30 pairs of Great Crested Grebe in the southern part and Ospreys fishing here.
Dokkadeltaet naturreservat — Innlandet. An important staging site on one of eastern Norway's main migration routes, at the northern end of Randsfjorden. Swans, geese, ducks, gulls and waders. Visitor centre on site.
Fedje — Vestland. The municipality with the most recorded bird species in Vestland, more than 200. There are three seabird reserves and a large protected landscape area on the island.
Flekkefjord landskapsvernområde — Agder. The protected landscape stretches from Andabeløy at the mouth of the fjord along Hidra and the coastal strip to Åna-Sira, covering 54 square kilometres of magnificent fjord landscape, heather moorland and steep skerries. The birdlife is diverse, with White-tailed Eagle, Common Eider and cormorants along the coast. The area was protected in 2005.
Fokstumyra naturreservat — Innlandet. Norway's first nature reserve, protected in 1923. Mire on Dovrefjell just below the treeline, with around 70 breeding bird species; Ramsar status.
Froan — Trøndelag. A large archipelago off Frøya, protected since 1979 and with Ramsar status. An IBA for breeding Common Eider, European Shag and Great Cormorant, as well as wintering Long-tailed Duck.
Gaulosen naturreservat — Trøndelag. Trøndelag's most visited birdwatching site, where the Gaula flows into the Trondheimsfjorden 20 kilometres south of Trondheim. Over 200 bird species have been recorded, and several thousand geese and other wetland birds stop over here during the spring and autumn migration. The birdwatching tower at Bynes gives views over Storsvingen, Leinøra and Bråleiret.
Gjesværstappan — Finnmark. A nature reserve and IBA (Important Bird Area) with around 50,000 pairs of Atlantic Puffin and several thousand pairs of Black-legged Kittiwake, Razorbill and Northern Gannet. Landing on Storstappen is prohibited from 1 March to 31 July.
Grandefjæra naturreservat — Trøndelag. The country's largest continuous tidal and shallow-water area, a Ramsar wetland of 15.8 square kilometres on the western side of the Ørland peninsula with ten kilometres of shoreline. Common Eider, Northern Shoveler, Ruff and Northern Lapwing breed in the area, while Arctic waders such as Purple Sandpiper and Red Knot stop over here on migration.
Gressholmen-Rambergøya naturreservat — Oslo. A seabird and wetland reserve in the inner Oslofjord, protected in 1992 and extended with the neighbouring island of Heggholmen in 2008. Over 160 bird species have been recorded on the islands, and the bay between Gressholmen and Rambergøya is an important breeding and feeding area for seabirds; all boat traffic is prohibited during the breeding season from 1 April to 15 July.
Grudavatnet — Rogaland. Grudavatnet is a nutrient-rich lake on Jæren where the Figgjoelva pauses on its course, and in 1974 it became the first wetland in Rogaland to be protected as a nature reserve. Thousands of ducks stop over here in autumn, winter and spring, and the lake is known for regular sightings of rarer waders. A trail from Vasshus school at Orre leads southwards to a birdwatching tower at the edge of the woods.
Herdla — Vestland. Hordaland's most species-rich birding site, with 284 recorded species. A bird observatory was established in 2012, and there are two bird towers on the western side of the nature reserve.
Hornøya — Finnmark. Norway's easternmost point and one of the country's most important seabird cliffs, with around 80,000 breeding seabirds. Common Murre, Atlantic Puffin, Black-legged Kittiwake and Razorbill in dense colonies just five minutes by boat from Vardø harbour.
Ilene og Presterødkilen — Vestfold. Ilene and Presterødkilen are two nature reserves west and east of central Tønsberg which together form a wetland system with Ramsar status since 1985. Almost 300 bird species have been recorded, and flocks of several thousand individuals are not unusual during migration. An 8-metre-high bird tower is used for ringing, and the Ilene Wetland Visitor Centre presents the area's natural values.
Jomfruland fuglestasjon — Telemark. One of BirdLife Norway's two official bird observatories, established in 1969. Over 300 species documented, and a breeding site for Barred Warbler and Thrush Nightingale.
Kjørholmane — Rogaland. Kjørholmane nature reserve in Sola municipality is the largest and most important seabird colony in Rogaland, and since 2011 it has been part of the Rott-Håstein-Kjør Ramsar site together with the islands of Rott and Håstein. The European Shag population has grown from around 30 pairs in the 1970s to over 2,600 pairs in 2006, and the reserve is also home to Northern Fulmar, Common Eider, Razorbill and Common Guillemot.
Koksabukta naturreservat — Akershus. A nature reserve on the Fornebu peninsula, an important staging and breeding site for Eurasian Reed Warbler and Common Reed Bunting. The Fornebu area has 265 recorded bird species in total.
Kongsfjord — Finnmark. A coastal nature reserve at Kongsfjorden. Praktlom in spring, along with Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter, Black Guillemot and Atlantic Puffin. Not to be confused with Kongsfjord on Svalbard.
Kråkenes fyr — Vestland. Kråkenes lighthouse sits on the north-western tip of Vågsøy in Kinn municipality, one of the most weather-beaten points on the west coast. At the nearby Einevarden seabird cliff lies the largest Atlantic Puffin colony south of Runde, and the footpath over Kråkenesfjellet gives views of the steep breeding walls.
Kurefjorden naturreservat — Østfold. A Ramsar site since 1985 and Østfold's most important location for migrating waders. A shallow section of fjord with extensive mudflats, with a bird tower on site.
Kvassheim fyr — Rogaland. A disused lighthouse station, today a visitor centre for Våtmark Jæren. The southernmost protected bird area along the Jæren coast, important for staging waders and ducks.
Kvitsøy — Rogaland. Kvitsøy is an island municipality at the outer edge of Boknafjorden and among Rogaland's best-known sites for birdwatching during the migration season. It was here that Norway's first Red-eyed Vireo, a North American songbird, was discovered on 2 October 2014 and seen by around 75 birding enthusiasts the same day. The island's open landscape makes it a favourite place to search for rare migrant visitors from both the east and the west.
Linnesstranda naturreservat — Buskerud. A brackish-water delta where the river Lierelva flows out into Drammensfjorden, protected in 1985 and extended in 2007 to its present 593 decares. The reserve is regarded as one of the most species-rich wetland areas in Buskerud, with around 210-227 bird species recorded over the years and over 140 species annually; a bird tower from 1995 gives views over the river mouth.
Lista — Agder. One of southern Norway's most important migration sites, with 260–290 recorded species over the course of a year. Together with Utsira, among the country's best places to find rare migrants in autumn.
Loppa naturreservat — Finnmark. A seabird cliff on the island of Loppa at the outer edge of western Finnmark, protected as a nature reserve since 1983 to preserve a steep, roughly 200-metre-high precipice with a rich population of auks. The cliffs are home to Common Guillemot, Atlantic Puffin and European Storm-petrel among others, and the island is a popular destination for birdwatchers and researchers.
Makkevika fuglereservat — Møre og Romsdal. A flat, grass-covered headland on the western side of Giske with rocky, wetland and sandy areas that are protected for breeding and migrating waders. Giske is one of Europe's most important sites for the ringing of waders.
Maridalen landskapsvernområde — Oslo. Oslo's largest nature conservation area, with farmland, forest and water. Canada Goose, Mallard and Northern Pintail breed here, and White-tailed Eagle hunts regularly over Maridalsvannet.
Nordfugløya — Troms. A nature reserve and IBA with large colonies of Atlantic Puffin and Razorbill. The highest point, Fugløykallen, rises to 750 metres, and the whole island is protected.
Nordre Øyeren — Akershus. Northern Europe's largest inland delta, formed where the Glomma river meets Lake Øyeren. A Ramsar site since 1985 with 269 recorded bird species and enormous numbers of staging waders and ducks during migration.
Nordre Tyrifjorden våtmarkssystem — Buskerud. A Ramsar site with five sub-reserves, Norway's most important inland area for migrating birds after Nordre Øyeren. Up to 4,500 Pink-footed Geese stage here in April.
Obrestad fyr — Rogaland. A lighthouse station on the westernmost point of the Norwegian mainland, part of the coastal chain Revtangen–Obrestad–Kvassheim on Jæren. A well-known vantage point for seabird passage.
Oksøy — Agder. Oksøy, at the entrance to Kristiansandsfjorden, is the eastern point of the Oksøy-Ryvingen protected landscape, where ten seabird reserves stretch westwards towards Ryvingen near Mandal. Lesser Black-backed Gull, European Herring Gull and Common Tern breed in large numbers alongside Common Eider and Eurasian Oystercatcher, and a large proportion of Norway's Lesser Black-backed Gull population breeds in the area. The 36-metre cast-iron lighthouse from 1900 is a landmark at the mouth of the fjord.
Øra naturreservat — Østfold. A Ramsar site since 1985 east of the Glomma river mouth. Over 250 recorded bird species and Norway's only regular breeding site for Bearded Reedling, as well as a colony of more than 700 pairs of Great Cormorant.
Ørin naturreservat — Trøndelag. A river delta where the Verdalselva meets Trondheimsfjorden, with Ramsar status. Trøndelag's most species-rich migration site, with over 200 recorded species.
Orrevatnet og Orreosen — Rogaland. Wetland area on Jæren and part of the Jærstrendene nature reserve, one of Norway's most important staging sites for wetland birds and a Ramsar site. A bird tower at Orrevatnet gives a good view over ducks, waders and geese, while Orreosen is known for the spring and autumn passage of waders.
Østensjøvannet naturreservat — Oslo. An urban wetland in Oslo with 228 recorded bird species. Some 40–50 species breed annually, including Great Crested Grebe, Black-headed Gull and Common Moorhen.
Øvre Pasvik nasjonalpark — Finnmark. Siberian taiga in the far east of Norway. Siberian Tit, Bohemian Waxwing, Siberian Jay and Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker in the coniferous forest, while rare waders such as Broad-billed Sandpiper breed in the mire areas.
Revtangen (Jæren) — Rogaland. The Nordic region's oldest bird observatory, established 1937. It rings 6,000–10,000 birds annually, with waders on Revtangen itself and passerines in the observatory garden.
Røst — Nordland. At the outer edge of Lofoten, with some of Norway's largest populations of Atlantic Puffin and White-tailed Eagle. Værøy and Røst make up one of the country's foremost seabird areas.
Runde — Møre og Romsdal. Norway's southernmost large seabird cliff, with around 500,000 breeding seabirds — Atlantic Puffin, Northern Gannet, Common Murre and Black-legged Kittiwake. Rundebranden offers one of the country's most accessible seabird cliff experiences.
Sklinna naturreservat — Trøndelag. Central Norway's most important seabird colony, about 30 km from the mainland. One of the world's largest colonies of European Shag. A nature reserve with Ramsar status.
Skogvoll naturreservat — Nordland. Andøy's largest protected area and part of the Ramsar network, a roughly 55,000-decare mire and wetland area on the northern side of Andøya, along the coast and in the mire around Skogvollvatnet. The reserve was established in 1983 to preserve the exceptionally rich and interesting birdlife of the protected mires.
Slettnes fyr — Finnmark. Europe's northernmost mainland lighthouse, a nature reserve since 1996. Over 150 bird species recorded, with well-known seabird passage and an active bird observatory.
Smøla — Møre og Romsdal. An archipelago of over 5,000 islands, islets and skerries in the north of Møre og Romsdal, known for the world's densest breeding population of White-tailed Eagle with around 50 pairs. Around 270 bird species have been recorded in the municipality, and the Remman nature reserve north of the main island forms part of the Important Bird Area (IBA).
Sørfugløya — Troms. One of Norway's most important seabird cliffs. Large colonies of Atlantic Puffin and Razorbill, and Manx Shearwater also breeds here. A nature reserve and IBA.
Sørkjosleira — Troms. Part of the Balsfjord wetland system, a Ramsar site in the Balsfjorden south of Tromsø. Sørkjosleira nature reserve is a large tidal-flat and salt-marsh area at Storsteinnes, of international importance as a migration stopover for wetland birds.
Sørøyan naturreservat — Trøndelag. An island and skerry reserve forming part of the Vest-Vikna coastal landscape, a Ramsar site of 135.9 square kilometres designated in 2013 with ten sub-areas. Sørøyan is of particular value as a breeding ground for seabirds, and lies just to the south-east of the adjoining Nordøyan nature reserve.
Stabbursnes naturreservat — Finnmark. A Ramsar wetland since 2002 at the mouth of the Stabburselva in the Porsangerfjorden, with some of the country's largest continuous areas of shallow water. The reserve is especially important for the rare Lesser White-fronted Goose, and during the spring migration Red Knot can gather in flocks of up to 30,000 birds. A birdwatching tower at Valdakmyra is open to visitors from spring to autumn.
Store Færder — Vestfold. Island and lighthouse station at the outer edge of the Oslofjord, part of Færder National Park. A well-known site for seabird migration and one of the most visited birdwatching spots in the inner Oslofjord region.
Sværholtklubben — Finnmark. A large seabird cliff, a 166-metre-high crag at the outermost point of the Sværholt peninsula with breeding grounds for around 40,000 seabirds. The nature reserve lies in the border area between the municipalities of Lebesby, Nordkapp and Porsanger, and is registered as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.
Syltefjordstauran — Finnmark. Historically Norway's largest Black-legged Kittiwake colony, on a 3 km long seabird cliff. Common Guillemot, Brünnich's Guillemot, Razorbill and Black Guillemot breed on the cliffs, and White-tailed Eagle hunt in the area.
Tanamunningen naturreservat — Finnmark. Norway's largest pristine river delta and a Ramsar wetland since 2002, formed where the Tanaelva flows into the Tanafjorden in eastern Finnmark. Among the birds recorded here are 19 duck species, 5 goose species, 22 wader species and 14 gull species. The delta is especially important as a moulting site for Goosander - up to 27,000 males gather here after the breeding season before migrating further south.
Tautra og Svaet naturreservat — Trøndelag. A Ramsar wetland on and around the island of Tautra in the Trondheimsfjorden, with over 200 recorded bird species and one of the country's richest concentrations of birdlife. Thousands of geese, ducks and waders stop over here on migration, and each year it is possible to see rarer species such as Peregrine Falcon, Bar-tailed Godwit and Purple Sandpiper.
Turøyna — Vestland. A small island west of Toftøyna with an associated ornithological station. A well-known birding spot in the Øygarden area, which has over 236 recorded species in total.
Utsira — Rogaland. Norway's hottest migration site, with over 333 recorded bird species and 26 first records for Norway. Utsira Bird Observatory (established 1992) hosts the annual «bomb week» in early October.
Utvær naturreservat — Vestland. Norway's westernmost group of islands, a fully protected nature reserve. Breeding Greylag Goose, Common Eider, King Eider, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Common Redshank and several tern species.
Værlandet og Bulandet — Vestland. Værlandet and Bulandet are the westernmost inhabited islands in Norway, at the outer edge of Askvoll municipality, and one of the coast's most exciting sites for observing migrating birds away from the great seabird cliffs. Over 230 species have been recorded on the islands, and September-October brings a large passage of Barnacle Geese on their way from Svalbard to Scotland, along with regular rarities.
Værøy (Måstadfjellet) — Nordland. A seabird cliff with around 40,000 pairs of Atlantic Puffin and 15,000–20,000 pairs of Black-legged Kittiwake. The abandoned village of Måstad lies beneath the mountain; Ramsar status.
Varangerfjorden (Ekkerøya) — Finnmark. World-famous winter site for Arctic seabirds such as King Eider, Steller's Eider and Ivory Gull. Ekkerøya nature reserve holds one of the country's largest Black-legged Kittiwake colonies on the easily accessible seabird cliff face «Flåget».
Vegaøyan — Nordland. An archipelago on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2004, renowned for the roughly 1,500-year-old tradition of eider husbandry and down harvesting. The entire World Heritage area is registered as an Important Bird Area (IBA), with well over 200 recorded bird species and around 110 breeding species. The outlying islet of Lånan is home to the largest Common Eider colony in the area, with dedicated eider wardens who live there from April to July.
Vestre Vansjø naturreservat — Østfold. A wetland reserve in the western part of Vansjø, Østfold's largest lake with an area of 36.4 square kilometres and many bays and islands. The reserve, of about 3,296 decares of which 617 decares are land, was established in 1992 in what were then Moss and Rygge municipalities precisely to preserve an important wetland area with its vegetation and birdlife, together with the adjoining Moskjæra nature reserve.
Vikanbukta fuglefredningsområde — Trøndelag. Part of the Ramsar-designated Trondheimsfjorden wetland system, with a two-kilometre shoreline and broad mud and sand flats between Stjørdal harbour and Kleivan. Over 145 bird species have been recorded over the past ten years, and the area is important as a stopover site for Svalbard geese during the spring and autumn migration and as a wintering area for Common Eider.
Denmark
Møns Klint — Zealand. White chalk cliffs with breeding Peregrine Falcons and Red-backed Shrikes, backed by rich woodland — one of Denmark's best areas for raptors and woodland birds.
Skagen (Grenen) — North Jutland. Denmark's northern tip, where two seas meet. Spring funnels huge numbers of raptors, divers and seabirds past Grenen — one of northern Europe's great migration watchpoints.
Vadehavet (Wadden Sea) — South-west Jutland. A UNESCO tidal wetland and one of Europe's most important wader and goose sites, famous for the 'Sort Sol' black-sun murmurations of starlings.
Finland
Hanko (Hangö) — Uusimaa. Finland's southernmost point and top migration watchpoint, with a bird observatory catching raptors, seabirds, passerines and scarce eastern vagrants.
Kuusamo & Oulanka — North-east Finland. Taiga forest and fells near the Russian border — the classic area for Siberian Jay, Siberian Tit, northern owls, and Rustic and Little Buntings.
Liminka Bay (Liminganlahti) — North Ostrobothnia. Finland's premier wetland at the head of the Gulf of Bothnia — vast reedbeds and wet meadows with breeding waders, terns and warblers, and an excellent visitor centre.