Norway and Finland - into the Arctic.

Day 7 saw another long drive as we crossed the Arctic circle but birding as we went saw White tailed and Golden Eagles, Broad billed  Sandpiper displaying, Spotted Redshank, Whimbrel and Dotterel. The next day was equally long but the scenery was spectacular as we crossed the Tana river into Norway having 'collected' Pine Grosbeak and Common Redpoll along the way. At Varso we picked out a male Steller's Eider with a small group of Common Eiders. We moved northwards up the Varanger coastline stopping regularly for anything of interest such as a group of 5 White tailed Eagles or the increasing numbers of Skuas mainly Arctic and Long tailed. Two stops were particularly interesting, one to look at a group of Red necked Phalaropes and Red throated Pipit at close quarters and the other to watch a Lek of Ruff. Amazing experiences both.

Pine Grosbeak

White tailed Eagle

White tailed Eagles

Steller's Eider

Whimbrel

Ruff

Ruff

Red necked Phalarope

Red throated Pipit