Discover white-tailed sea eagles on Smøla Island, Norway
Norway, a country known for its stunning natural landscapes and diverse wildlife, offers countless opportunities for unforgettable wildlife experiences. One such remarkable encounter awaits on Smøla Island, where it is possible to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the white-tailed sea eagle. Nestled amidst a picturesque backdrop of pristine coastal scenery, Smøla Island provides a unique setting to observe these magnificent birds in their natural habitat.
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Smøla Island – its landscape and habitats
Smøla Island is part of the Møre og Romsdal county and is located 200km west of Trondheim, 60km north of Kristiansund and the impressive Atlantic Road. The island is renowned for its unspoiled natural beauty and diverse wildlife. It covers an area of approximately 216 square kilometres, making it an ideal destination to explore in a short period of time.
Smøla has a rugged coastline and is adorned with dramatic cliffs, secluded bays, and picturesque sandy beaches. Inland, the island is characterised by rolling hills, meandering streams, and lush green meadows. The island’s terrain offers a unique blend of coastal and rural environments, making it an inviting haven for a wide variety of wildlife including the white-tailed sea eagles.
With its thriving bird population, Smøla Island has earned a well-deserved reputation as an avian paradise. In addition to the white-tailed sea eagles, the island is home to numerous other bird species, including cormorants, guillemots, razorbills, and a variety of seagulls. The diverse habitats, such as heathlands, wetlands, and coastal cliffs, provide nesting grounds and feeding areas for these seasonal residents.
Smøla Island is notable for its large wind farm, which serves as an important source of renewable energy. The 70-metre towers have a blade diameter of 86 metres. They are huge and when 68 of them are seen working together it is an amazing sight.
Whether they are viewed in silhouette at sunset or harsh against storm clouds the sheer size and scale of the turbines cannot be avoided. The island’s commitment to sustainable development is reflected in its efforts to strike a balance between clean energy generation and wildlife conservation.
White-tailed sea eagles
White-tailed sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla), possess a distinct and striking appearance. Adults have a cream head and white tail feathers that are a stark contrast against their dark brown bodies. The intensity of the brown feathers may vary among individuals, ranging from dark chocolate brown to lighter shades of tan.
These colourations help camouflage the eagles in their natural habitats, allowing them to blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment. Their sharp, yellow beak and piercing eyes add to their regal countenance. They are the largest birds of prey in Norway with a wingspan of 2.65metres
As opportunistic predators, white-tailed sea eagles have a diverse diet primarily centred around fish. Their keen eyesight and exceptional aerial skills enable them to spot fish near the water’s surface from great heights.
Once they locate a suitable target, they descend with incredible speed, using their powerful talons to snatch fish from the water. Their diet consists of a variety of fish species, including cod, herring, salmon, and mackerel.
Additionally, they feed on small mammals, waterfowl, carrion, and even seabird chicks when the opportunity arises. The shallow waters make fishing easy, something that these relatively lazy birds need for survival. Like the bonxies (Great Skuas) on Shetland, they are not afraid to mug other birds, such as the gulls for their hard-earned catch.
White-tailed sea eagles construct large nests, known as eyries, in elevated locations such as tall trees or rocky cliffs in a similar way to osprey. These nests are often massive, composed of branches, twigs, grass, and moss. The eagles reuse their nests each year, adding fresh materials to reinforce and expand them.
Breeding pairs of white-tailed sea eagles exhibit strong bonds and engage in elaborate courtship displays. These displays involve aerial acrobatics, with the eagles locking talons and descending in spiralling dives before releasing and soaring back up into the sky.
Once mating occurs, the female lays one to three eggs, which are incubated by both parents for approximately 38 days. Both male and female white-tailed sea eagles actively participate in raising their young. They take turns incubating the eggs and hunting for food.
After hatching, the chicks remain in the nest for several months, growing rapidly under the dedicated care of their parents. As with many other sea birds they mate for life, so the loss of a partner can have a devastating impact on the numbers in an area. They raise one or two chicks every two years, a low number compared to many other species.
During the winter months, when food sources become scarce and temperatures drop, some of these eagles migrate southward in search of milder climates and ample prey. They can travel impressive distances during migration, crossing open water bodies and covering vast stretches of land.
How to see sea eagles on smøla Island
The easiest way to see sea eagles on Smøla is to get out and explore. Walking along the coast, whatever the weather means you may be able to experience these magnificent birds at a distance.
To get help finding these birds or take to the water on a safari then there is no one better than Smøla Naturopplevelser who runs eagle safaris. These tours run through the summer months from Straumen on the southeast coast of the island.
Smøla is located about two hours’ drive to the southwest of Trondheim. The roads are good all the way with the last part of the journey being on a regular ferry service from Tustna to Edøy.
Guidelines for watching White-tailed sea eagles
The sea eagles are used to seeing boats and unless you move quickly or are noisy your presence on a safari will not disturb their hunting patterns. The sea eagles are not fed to bring them in so it sometimes takes a while before you see them.
Given the weather conditions in Norway, it is always advisable to wear layers and have waterproof clothing with you whenever you go out. The tour guides will always advise you on what you need and you should take their advice.
Best time of year to see sea eagles in Norway
Whilst sea eagles can be seen year-round in Norway the best time to visit is from March until October. During this time they are more abundant, nesting and raising their young.
Other places in Norway to see sea eagles
- Flatanger, located in Trøndelag County, is known for its stunning coastline and abundant wildlife. This region has a great photographic safari run by Ole Martin Dahle at Norway Nature.
- The Lofoten Islands in northern Norway offer another excellent opportunity to see white-tailed sea eagles. Take a boat tour along the coastline or visit bird cliffs where these majestic birds often nest and hunt. The villages of Henningsvær and Svolvaer are great places to base yourself for sea eagle tours.
- Located in the Arctic region of Norway, Tromsø is not only a gateway to the Northern Lights and the smaller islands of Kvaløya and Sommarøy but is also a prime location for observing sea eagles.
- Bodø and the surrounding area boast several excellent birdwatching spots where you can potentially spot sea eagles. Rønvikfjellet, a mountain located near the town, offers a vantage point to observe the eagles as they glide over the fjord. Additionally, Kjerringøy, a small island north of Bodø, is known for its diverse birdlife, including sea eagles.
The sea eagles on Smøla Island and the impact of wind turbines
As with any wind turbine, there are bird casualties and in Smøla it is the sea eagle population that is affected. These huge sea birds thrive along the exposed coastline with the population recorded at a stable 50 breeding pairs despite 5 or 6 being killed each year.
As with many other sea birds they mate for life, so the loss of a partner can have a devastating impact on the numbers in an area. They raise one or two chicks every two years, a low number compared to many other species.
About 1/3 of all adult sea eagle deaths on Smøla are due to turbine collisions. This is one of the key threats to the survival of the species globally, however, numbers are increasing year on year and the global populations are thriving. With their slow breeding rate and longer life expectancy, the loss of this many adult birds can have a significant impact on the local population.
Research has shown that birds living outside a 5km zone around the turbines on Smøla are at a stable level and appear to be making up for those who are breeding within the wind farm zone and losing their lives. Research has shown that only those within 1km of the turbines have their breeding significantly disrupted by the presence of the turbines and outside of the 5km zone there are no effects on behaviour or life expectancy at all.
Most collisions occur in the spring, possibly when their attention is upon other matters and concentration is not as focused. Increased flights tending to nests or feeding young can also be a cause of these spring increases. There is also a belief that birds do not see the rotating blades, an area of current research.
Smøla white-tailed Sea Eagle brief
The white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is a large bird of prey that is found in northern Europe and Asia. It is the national bird of Norway and is a popular tourist attraction on Smøla Island, which has the densest population of nesting sea eagles in the world.
The sea eagles on Smøla Island are threatened by wind turbines, which can collide with the birds and injure or kill them.
Despite the threats they face, the sea eagles on Smøla Island are a thriving population. The island is a great place to see these majestic birds in their natural habitat, and it is an important conservation site for the species.