Puffins paradise at Hornøya in Vardø, Northern Norway

#puffins #birds #birdingtrip
Less than 3 hours driving from our cottages we visit the island of Hornøya, the easternmost point of Norway. Hornøya is home to some 80,000 sea birds that come in the spring there to breed.
The Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) is the most iconic bird that you will find there and draws most of the visitors. There are about 7,500 pairs of puffins breeding on Hornøya.
The most numerous bird is the Common guillemot (Uria aalge). Some 15,000 pairs of Common guillemot come to the bird cliff of Hornøya to breed. Harder to see, the Brünnich's guillemot (Uria lumvia) also breeds there, on the steepest parts of the cliff. There are about 500 pairs of them on the island.
There are also about 500 pairs of Razorbills(Alca torda), easier to spot as they stay on the lower parts of the cliff and are more distinguishable from the guillemots thanks to their specific bill.
Finally, about 7,500 pairs of Black-legged kittiwakes also breed on the cliff. They are probably the loudest and you will definitely hear them!
These are the most common visitors but many other birds are regularly observed, and some rarities can show up as well!
The island is a nature reserve with a trail for visitors. Birds are somehow used to the human presence on the island, and sometimes they come just a couple of meters away of your feet. This is an incredibly close and personal experience with nature, one we recommend not only for passionate birders, but for anyone who just enjoys the beauties of our world.
Our friend Rayann from rez-photograph... spent a day on the island and brought back this footage. We hope that you like it!
Would you like to experience this while visiting us in Utsjoki? Check out our website and social channels for more information:
auroraholidays...
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/ auroraholidays

[@louises7888]

Thank you for this lovely video, it has made my day

[@sandvenexplorer]

Really great island. Went there about a week ago. Saw lots of birds and even whales on the way out there in the boat.

[@Ian_mofomusic]

I would love to add this to my holiday package, please

[@AuroraHolidays]

If we could go there in the winter, we could do that. Looks like you need to visit us in the summer too ;)

[@Ian_mofomusic]

@@AuroraHolidays sounds like a plan :)