After a tough 2014, Doreen and myself decided to make a late booking for a cruise to Northern Norway in the hope to see the Northern Lights. Needless to say, we took our binoculars with us although very few birds were seen in the deep fjords. On one day we had storm force winds and large numbers of Fulmars of various colour phases, and Kittiwakes were moving.
5th March - Departed Southampton @18.00 hrs. towards the Dover Straits.
6th March - Headed north up the North Sea.
7th March - Arrived Stavanger where we birded around the Port and in the local park. Departed @ 16.00 hrs.
Arriving Stavanger
10th March - Entered the fjord with snow capped mountain ranges on both sides leading to Tromso. Birded around the waterfront in Tromso and stayed overnight. Spent several hours looking for the Northern Lights.
Approaching Tromso
Alta
Alta modern Cathedral.
13th March - Departed during the early hours starting our return journey and by morning we ran into storm force 11/12 winds. Huge numbers of Fulmars and large numbers of Kittiwakes with a number of Glaucous Gulls were seen. During the evening, the cloud cleared although the winds remained at force 12 on the Beaufort scale and we spent until after 1.00 am at the rear of the boat and enjoyed a superb showing of the Aurora Borealis although I was unable to photograph even thou I had my camera set on the tripod owing to the sea swell, and strong winds.
Stormy seas
15th March - We arrived at our final port visit to Bergen. Beautiful warm calm day and we visited a nearby park with a lake but again very few birds were seen.
Arriving at Bergen
We weren't the only ship in port.
The attractive city of Bergen
Birds seen:
Black-throated Diver - One seen on the sea close to the liner as we approached Tromso
Fulmar - Good numbers seen on several dates and thousands on the 13th in the storm force winds including large numbers of Blue type Fulmars.
Kittiwake - Small numbers seen on several dates with large numbers seen on the 13th.
Glaucous Gull Approx. 20 in the Arctic areas with the majority passing the liner on the 13th.
White-tailed Sea Eagle - One pair as we approached Alta over the cliffs for around 10 minutes.
Black Guillemot - Fair numbers seen on several dates all appeared in summer plumage.
Long-tailed Duck Approx 30 in the harbour at Tromso.
Long-tailed Ducks - Tromso Harbour
Various Glaucous Gulls
The Aurora Borealis show taken from the rear of the liner.