Slettnes Nature Reserve O

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T Slettnes Nature Reserve O

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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)»

lettnes Nature Reserve is a unique protected area, with regard to both S Finnmark and the whole of Scandinavia. It is also Norway’s most northerly mainland reserve. The comparatively unspoilt coastal plain houses an enormous concentration of birds. The average temperature throughout the year is less than 10˚C, so this is an exposed place. Here there are up to 370 pairs of breeding Arctic Skuas, making this the largest «colony» in Norway. In spring and autumn hundreds of thousands of seabirds migrate past the coast of Slettnes. n summer the Arctic Skuas are the most eye-catching Ifeature when visitors arrive at Slettnes. They have become a characteristic species for this treeless tundra area. They also function here as guardians (umbrella species) for many of the other breeding birds. The name Slettnes indicates that this is a flat landscape. All has been formed through thousands of years by changes in sea level, ice, weather and wind. Here you find bogs, water, streams, and small tussocks lifted by the frost. Slettnes has Ramsar status, and received protection as a nature reserve in 1996. It is easy to wander about in the reserve. Unfortunately there are no facilities for handicapped persons away from the road. Over 180 different bird species have been recorded at Slettnes.

Best time to visit Slettnes can be visited at all times of year. Even though the days are short in winter, the surrounding Barents Sea houses several exciting bird species. One finds the largest numbers in spring and autumn, and in the breeding season June/July. © Roy Erling Wrånes The seabird migration in April/May attracts Slettnes lighthouse is the world’s most northerly on the bird watchers from Norway and abroad every year. mainland, and is protected as a cultural monument. In Experience shows that bird migration is at its best in summer there is a café and guided tours of the lighthouse the period 10-20 May. The same occurs in September- and one can also stay over for the night.

www.bioforsk.no/fugleturisme © Hampus Lejon In spring thousands of Pomarine Skuas pass Slettnes on their way to breeding grounds in Russia. The best period for migration is mid and late May.

October when many of the seabirds move towards their an important food source for both migratory and winter quarters. breeding birds. In June and July you can experience the breeding In the breeding season it is just this that gives good birds at close range. More than 50 species nest within conditions for many of the hardy species that Slettnes the borders of the reserve, and they can be observed from can offer. The first bird one will probably meet when the road as well as from prepared nature and cultural one arrives at Slettnes in summer is the Arctic Skua. Up trails. to 370 pairs make this species one of the most important in the whole area. Other significant species in summer Habitat and observation species are Red-throated Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Arctic Tern, The reserve of 12 km² is surrounded by treeless Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone, Dunlin, Little Stint, tundra. At first site it can therefore appear barren and Whimbrel, Red-throated Pipit, Snow Bunting and deserted, consisting of rock formations of sandstone Lapland Bunting. In the migration season, important and phyllite. The many beach terraces show that the species are Yellow-billed Diver, Sooty Shearwater, sea was once much higher. A series of small streams Pomarine Skua (you can in fact find all the European and rivers drain out into the many bogs, lakes and the skuas at Slettnes), auks, Glaucous Gull, King Eider and sea. The tussocks lifted by the frost form small “camel Steller’s Eider. In winter Yellow-billed Diver, Glaucous backs” in the landscape. Crowberry and dwarf birch Gull, Iceland Gull, Rock Ptarmigan and Arctic Redpoll are characteristic. In the bogs, water horsetail and are the most important. water sedge dominate. The whole reserve borders on The Arctic Skuas are spread around in the whole the open Barents Sea which never freezes due to the reserve. Their eggs are placed right on the ground in Gulf Stream that brings warm salt water northwards a small hollow. Some of the Arctic Skuas can be very along the coast. The sea is rich in nutrients and is aggressive, and it is advisable to follow the road and the marked tracks. The waders in the reserve choose many different habitats. Dunlin and Little Stint prefer the damp areas, while the Purple Sandpiper likes streamlets. The Turnstone and Whimbrel often choose rather drier ridges. Common to all the waders is that they like to move out to the river mouths to seek food. To sit near such a river mouth can be a good observation point. If the Arctic Skua is excluded, © Hampus Lejon the waders form the most important group of birds at The Yellow-billed Diver is a common species at Slettnes in Slettnes with a total of 25 breeding species. the winter and during the migration period. In one day The many beach embankments that were formed more than 400 have been recorded. during the last ice age are the home of the Arctic Terns.

www.bioforsk.no/fugleturisme This is a species which often has its breeding season spoilt due to disturbance and predation. It is fascinating to see them trying to avoid Arctic Skuas that try to steal fish from them in the air. We must not forget the small passerine species. The Snow Bunting is the commonest in the stony screes innermost in the reserve. The Lapland Bunting prefers areas with some low scrub, and also road edges. The Red- throated Pipit has its home around Slettnes lighthouse. All these passerine species nest on the ground at Slettnes. Their nests are filled with grass and feathers, giving good insulation in the harsh climate. © Roy Erling Wrånes Few birds of prey nest regularly in the reserve. In some years the Short-eared Owl can breed, only to be At Slettnes there are good possibilities of seeing several gone the next season. One can, however, have the luck different gull species such as Glaucous Gull (above) and to experience the occasional White-tailed Eagle, Gyr Kittiwake. Falcon or Peregrine. Today the Snowy Owl is only a should be on road no. 98. After 120 kilometres you will scarce visitor to Slettnes. be at Ifjord, and then turn left to Mehamn/Kjøllefjord Spring and autumn migration has gained much along road no. 888. From Ifjord to Mehamn is 100 km. publicity in ornithological circles, also outside Norway. Note that there can be convoy driving in winter. Ring Enormous flocks of seabirds fly past in April/May and 175 for information about this. September/October. Slettnes has several ornithological records for both Yellow-billed Divers and Pomarine Further information Skuas. Daily numbers of over 1000 Pomarine Skuas At Slettnes one can stay the night at the lighthouse and 400 Yellow-billed Divers are not unusual. These (Slettnes fyr). At present it is possible to book via are greater than any passage numbers that have been Gamvik Museum 71˚ N (telephone 78 49 79 49, e-mail recorded for these species anywhere else in Europe. [email protected]). During spring migration several tens of thousands of In summer a café is open and there are guided tours of seabirds migrate past Slettnes, and this is one of the the lighthouse. most spectacular features that Slettnes can offer. In Gamvik there is Gamvik Guest House, fully In winter one should particularly look for gulls. licensed (telephone 48 02 36 40, e-mail gjesten@ Resting Glaucous and Iceland Gulls are always a fine gamvik.org). sight. Mehamn is 20 km away, and can be an alternative if one will stay at a hotel (Mehamn Arctic Hotel) or bed Access & breakfast (Expedition Earth Mehamn). Immediately before arriving at Mehamn centre, on There are also cabins to be hired, so there is something road no. 888, you will find a sign to Gamvik. From for everyone. Of course all are free to put up a tent, but Mehamn to Gamvik is 20 km. In the centre of Gamvik we do not wish anyone to do this far into the reserve. (just after the food store) you see a sign that points to Gamvik has its own shop and postal service, but no the left towards Slettnes. After two kilometres you are in petrol station. Slettnes Nature Reserve. One can most easily watch for seabirds by sitting Widerøe makes daily flights to Mehamn, and the by Slettnes lighthouse. There is a parking place by the shipping line Hurtigruta comes into Mehamn daily. At lighthouse. An alternative is Flintodden, a fine place Mehamn a car can be hired at the airport, or you can east of Gamvik centre. One can find other species by take a bus to Gamvik. following the road and the marked tracks in Slettnes If you drive along road E6 you take off northwards nature reserve. in Lakselv. Here there is a sign to Ifjord, and now you This fact sheet is prepared by Roy Erling Wrånes