Birdwatching
Birdwatching – Bird Observation During Men of Sea Expeditions
Birdwatching, or bird observation, is one of the activities that naturally accompanies our expeditions. You do not need to follow a special trail. Often, it is enough to stand on the deck of the yacht and carefully watch what is happening around you.
In Svalbard and Northern Norway, birds are an important part of the Arctic landscape. Many species migrate north seasonally. Others remain in the region for most of the year. Therefore, during a voyage, birds can be seen above fjords, near cliffs, along the coast and directly over the surface of the sea.
Birdwatching – Bird Observation During Men of Sea Expeditions
Birdwatching, or bird observation, is one of the activities that naturally accompanies our expeditions. You do not need to follow a special trail. Often, it is enough to stand on the deck of the yacht and carefully watch what is happening around you.
In Svalbard and Northern Norway, birds are an important part of the Arctic landscape. Many species migrate north seasonally. Others remain in the region for most of the year. Therefore, during a voyage, birds can be seen above fjords, near cliffs, along the coast and directly over the surface of the sea.
Birdwatching in Svalbard
Svalbard is an important destination for seasonal bird migration. During the short Arctic summer, huge numbers of seabirds arrive in the archipelago.
At that time, the cliffs and coastlines literally come alive.
During our expeditions, we can observe, among others, Atlantic puffins, ptarmigans, guillemots, little auks, fulmars, Arctic terns, gulls and common eiders.
Birds often move between breeding colonies and feeding grounds at sea. Therefore, travelling by yacht gives us excellent opportunities to observe their everyday behaviour.
It is from the deck that you can best see how strongly these birds are connected with the sea.
Birds of Northern Norway – Encounters with Eagles
During our expeditions in Northern Norway, we also often observe eagles. They are among the most spectacular birds of the North.
Their silhouettes can be seen high above the mountains, along the coast or while flying between islands. Sometimes they also appear closer to the yacht, especially in areas rich in fish.
Watching a large bird of prey against the backdrop of Norwegian mountains and fjords is one of those moments that is difficult to miss.
Birds Help Us Find Whales and Orcas
Birdwatching during our expeditions is not only about identifying bird species. Birds also provide us with very practical information.
During our Northern Lights and Whales expeditions, we often see large groups of birds gathering over one particular area of the sea. Usually, this means that a large concentration of fish is present below the surface.
And where there are fish, whales and orcas often appear as well. Therefore, we do not only watch the water. We also look at the sky.
Circling, diving and suddenly gathering birds can indicate an area of intense feeding activity. In practice, they often help us notice more quickly where whales are active.
It is a beautiful example of how individual elements of the Arctic ecosystem are connected with one another.
Birdwatching as Part of an Arctic Expedition
Birdwatching in Svalbard and Northern Norway is not a separate, artificially created attraction during our expeditions.
It is part of everyday life on the journey. Birds appear while we are sailing, trekking, whale watching and stopping in fjords.
Sometimes we see a single eagle. At other times, we watch thousands of birds above an Arctic cliff.
And sometimes it is a flock of birds that shows us that, a few hundred metres away, whales or orcas have started hunting beneath the surface of the sea.
Therefore, it is worth looking not only ahead. In the Arctic, it is always worth looking up as well.
