Today we drove back south from Varangerfjord to Ivalo, a journey of around 400 kilometers but that didn’t stop us from birding en route. Varanger itself provided us with last views of Steller’s Eiders, Long-tailed Skuas and White-tailed Eagles. We also managed to add Sanderling to our trip list, now at well of 220 species. Near Ujotski we tried from Lesser White-fronted Goose, which had been seen on a patch of marshland near a huge river only the day before, but despite the best efforts of our group, and several other birders who’d converged on the area, we drew a blank. Continuing south from Ujotski, a Hawk Owl flew low across the road. Slamming on the brakes, we screeched to a halt and headed into the sparse fir woodland in pursuit. We soon heard a Hawk Owl calling and followed the sound. As we crept through the trees an adult swept in overhead and landed nearby, calling loudly and glaring at us angrily with its pale yellow eyes. The cause for this soon became apparent, as we spotted a nestbox with a large juvenile Hawk Owl peering out of the hole, and hissing at the intruders. Realising we were unwittingly so close to the nest, we backed off immediately and left these wonderful birds in peace. By now the rain had begun and followed us all the way to Ivalo, where we spent the night.
Bird species list: still 2286