Prestøya in Kirkenes

.NO SK /FU R G O L F E

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Prestøya in Kirkenes .

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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)»

restøya in Kirkenes is a fine locality for visiting bird watchers who have P limited time, or who do not have a car at their disposal. The island lies at walking distance from both Kirkenes centre and the terminal of the shipping line Hurtigruta. Here one can gain a first acquaintance with several of the characteristic species of the area. A nature trail has been laid out with information posters along the whole of the south side of the island.

he small island, Prestøya, is about two kilometres varied diversity of birds and mammals. The southern Teast of the centre of Kirkenes. During the Second part of the island consists of birch woods with rich herb World War a landfill was made over the shallow sound vegetation. Furthest north, behind the hospital, there to Prestøya. Later a large shallow area on both sides was is a 50 metre high cliff with lichen and cloudberries. filled in and taken into use as a harbour, shopping and During the last war there was a German cannon battery industrial area. The Hurtigruta ships stop here daily on top of the cliff. before setting course southwards towards Bergen. In the bay Prestebukta and on the south side of Prestøya is about one kilometre long and 400 metres Prestøya the fjord is shallow, and at low tide extensive wide. The central parts of the island are occupied by mudflats are uncovered. This is an important stopover a housing estate. The Kirkenes hospital, Prestøya old site for ducks and waders on migration in spring and people’s home and two kindergartens are also situated autumn. Here there are also fine beaches and small grass on the island. Even though there are many who live meadows. From Fugleneset in the south-east a shallow and work on Prestøya, the area can also offer a rich and threshold stretches right across the fjord to Svartaksla by

www.bioforsk.no/fugleturisme © Morten Günther © Morten Günther The tidal zone on the south side of Prestøya Prestøya seen from the west

Jakobsnes. The local currents make this a particularly mainly on sea urchins, mussels, crevice brittlestar, crabs important foraging area both for fish and seabirds. and common starfish which they find at depths of 20- 40 metres. Habitat and observation species The Steller’s Eider is mainly seen at Prestøya on A total of 120 bird species have been recorded on spring migration in April-May. Up to 250 have been Prestøya. Most species visit the island on migration in recorded in the area, but in recent years the species has spring and autumn, but there are also some species that unfortunately become scarcer. forage in the fjord in winter. A few pairs of Kittiwakes still nest in Kjerringstupet Among the commonest species in the area are immediately west of Prestøya. Glaucous and Iceland Red-throated Diver, Cormorant, Mallard, Common Gull appear from time to time in winter. Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter, Goldeneye, A large colony of Arctic Terns nested until a few years Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander, Oystercatcher, ago on the landfill area, but development and increased Ringed Plover, Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, Bar-tailed traffic has reduced the population to a minimum. Of Godwit, Redshank, Arctic Skua, Black-headed Gull, more uncommon species that have been recorded on Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Prestøya may be mentioned Great Northern Diver, Arctic Tern, Domestic Pigeon, White Wagtail, Willow Bar-headed Goose, Garganey, Surf Scoter, Black-tailed Warbler, Great Tit, Magpie, Hooded Crow, Raven, Godwit, Snowy Owl, Hawk Owl and Long-tailed Tit. House Sparrow and Mealy Redpoll. The King Eider can usually be seen at Prestøya from Access the end of December to the end of April. Up to 345 have Prestøya is an easily accessed area that can offer been seen in the area. In winter the King Eiders prefer a diversity of birds throughout most of the year, to stay out in the middle of the fjord between Prestøya especially from January until August. The locality is and Jakobsnes, or in the area between Stangskjæret and particularly convenient for visitors who have newly Svartaksla – either together with Common Eiders or arrived at Kirkenes by air or by Hurtigruta. Many of the in dense flocks of only their own species. They forage commonest species can be seen here, and rarer species may appear from time to time. Follow the sign from Kirkenes centre to Prestøya (about two kilometres). On arrival one can park at the hospital or along one of the roads in the area. One has the best view of the shallow areas by parking in Strandveien and walking cautiously through the birch woods down to the shore. A telescope is recommended. There is a nature trail along the whole of the south side of the island. The inner parts of the bay Prestebukta can best be © Morten Günther seen from Prestøyveien in the north. It is also possible Bøkfjorden and Sabelskjæret seen from Prestøya to climb up onto the crag north of the hospital. From

www.bioforsk.no/fugleturisme here one has a good view northwards to Sabelskjæret for the first time in Bøkfjorden in March 2013. Red fox and eastwards to Jakobsnes. and hare are seen regularly on the island, and domestic reindeer can appear during the summer. Further information In common with the rest of the Kirkenes peninsula, Five species of seal have been recorded in the inner all animal and birdlife on Prestøya is protected. part of Bøkfjorden: grey seal and common seal appear regularly in the fjord, while bearded seal, ringed seal and This fact sheet is prepared by Morten Günther harp seal occur more sporadically. Walrus was observed