Grense Jakobselv

.NO SK /FU R G O L F E

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Grense Jakobselv .

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Information sheet for the project «Bird tourism in central and eastern Finnmark», a project part of «The natural heritage as a value creator (M)»

rense Jakobselv or ”Grensen” as local people call it, is a now deserted G small village furthest east in Sør-Varanger, at the Russian border. From a starting point in Kirkenes this is the most accessible seabird locality on the Varangerfjord, but here there are also birds of prey and several exciting species of passerines.

Best time to visit Nevertheless, the nearness to Kirkenes makes Grense Grense Jakobselv may well have many exciting bird Jakobselv a popular bird locality, especially for visitors species the whole year, but because the road no. 886 is to Pasvikdalen who have not planned to move further closed in winter over Jarfjordfjellet (at Vintervollen), the to the Varanger peninsula. Here we also find many locality is only accessible during the summer months interesting cultural relics. (May-October). The area is not very well investigated, so Grense Jakobselv can usually offer a good mixture of there can be surprises. The Arctic Warbler is a possibility resting and migrating divers, ducks, cormorants, gulls from mid-June to mid-July. and auks. Among characteristic species are also White- tailed Eagle, Arctic Skua and Arctic Tern. In the fertile Habitat and bird species birch scrub along the river one finds nesting passerines As a seabird locality Grense Jakobselv does not have the such as Bluethroat, Fieldfare, Redwing, Common same potential as the best localities on the north side of Redpoll and Brambling. the Varanger peninsula. This is because most of the passage On the way down from the mountain Jarfjordfjell movements go across the outer of the Varanger fjord to the road passes lake Gardsjø and Grense Jakobselv Fiskarhalvøya on the Russian side. Most visible seabird border station. Check the fertile birch forest on the activity probably occurs on days with a north wind. south side of the road immediately after the border

www.bioforsk.no/fugleturisme Access In the summer season Grense Jakobselv is easily accessible via the main roads E6 and E105 and minor road 886 from Kirkenes/Hesseng. The road goes through varied nature along the east side of Jarfjorden, and further over the barren Jarfjordfjellet. The final kilometres along the border between Bjørnstad and Jakobselv still have the gravel surface as this is of value with respect to the National Conservation Plan for roads and bridges. To

© Morten Günther drive from Kirkenes to Grense Jakobselv takes about one hour each way (57 km). There are no petrol stations Kong Oscar II’s chapel or other facilities on the way. You must therefore take station for Bluethroat, Arctic Redpoll and singing Arctic with you everything necessary for the trip. Warbler (June-July). Just past Bjørnstad the river is at its Parking is possible at several places along the way narrowest, and Russia is only a few metres away. Here at Grense Jakobselv, but the best place is at Oskar II’s one may find Common Sandpiper and Dipper. Keep an chapel, or at the turning place furthest out by the sea. eye on the mountain peaks for soaring birds of prey. Here there is also a toilet for visitors. In bad weather it North of Finngamneset there is a wide shallow bay is possible to watch for seabirds from the car. that often attracts large numbers of gulls. Check these flocks for Glaucous Gulls and other unusual species. Further information Several wader species may also appear in this area. It In summer one can often see white whales, also called can be worthwhile to check the beach and the bushes belugas, at the outflow of Grense Jabobselv. These northwards from the chapel for resting migrants. These can however be difficult to spot, especially in windy areas can have Meadow Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Arctic conditions. Look for yellowish-white “wave crests” and Redpoll and Snow Bunting. check especially the shallow areas off Storsanden and The small hill on the north side of the turning point Lillesanden. for cars (Skjergardsneset) is usually the best place to When the road is closed for the winter, an alternative watch for passing seabirds. Here one also has a good can be to turn left at Vintervollen and continue the view over most of Storsanden, the bay and the offshore four kilometres north to Lanabukt on the east side of rocks. Alternatively, one can stand on the jetty right Jarfjorden. Here there is usually open water, and small by the turning point, but from here one has a more flocks of both King and Steller’s Eider have been seen restricted view. several times in winter. At the river mouth by Storsanden there are often Black-throated Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Common Eider, Common Scoter, Velvet Scoter, Goosander and Merganser on the sea. Outside the jetty Black Guillemot Conduct at the border may often be seen, and Cormorant and Shag dry their wings on the rocks a little further out. Remember that there are special regulations concerning movements along the Nowegian- Russian border:

It is forbidden to • Cross the border on land, on water or in the air • Have any form for contact with, or behave offensively to persons across the borderline • Throw objects over the borderline © Morten Günther Storsanden seen from Skjergardsneset This fact sheet is prepared Morten Günther