Bird Watching in Swedish Lapland

Bird Watching in Swedish Lapland
Bookings are now being taken

Sweden offers some great birding opportunities; an impressive range of habitats from the alpine and boreal ecosystems in the north to the temperate broadleaved woodlands of the south. The Vasterbotten region of Swedish Lapland therefore offers the chance of seeing both the northern specialities as well as experiencing the bird communities more typical of Continental Europe. Centrally situated our cottages in the quiet village of Åskilje offer the perfect base from which to explore and view the various species over a very large area. Guests who prefer to explore locally we include local airport transfers in the rental price and you will also have the opportunity to rent bikes, boats and kayaks locally so you can travel over land or water to reach a seemingly endless number of totally undisturbed areas. For visitors who wish to cover a larger area; Kiruna to the north, Norway in the west, Umea and the Baltic coast to the east we offer car hire.

The roads are good and extremely quiet therefore large distances can be covered effortlessly and easily, this coupled with the long hours of daylight experienced during the spring and summer months makes Swedish Lapland the perfect peaceful venue for nature lovers and birders. Visitors to the region will also find that the local people are friendly and that language will be no problem as most of the Swedish people speak English extremely well. April, May and early June appears to be the ideal time for a birding enthusiasts to visit to northern Scandinavia however there are excellent opportunities year round.

Sightings locally include:

Hazel Hen, Capercaillie, Eagle Owl, Great Grey Owl, Pygmy Owl, Tengmalms Owl, Waxwing, Parrot Crossbill, Willow Tit, Common Crane, Whooper Swan and Merlin, Barnacle Goose, Redstart, Wryneck, Bluethroat, Brambling, Redpoll, Reed Bunting and Willow Warbler Arctic Tern, Willow Grouse, and Golden Plover, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, Whimbrel, Black-throated Diver, Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter, Sandpiper and Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Skua, Lapland Bunting, Rough-legged Buzzard, Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Black-throated Diver, Waxwing, Little Gull and Brambling. A Yellow-breasted Bunting was discovered at Bjuröklubb, Västerbotten in July 1991.

Accommodation options:

We now offer clients the opportunity to rent a selection of traditional Swedish country cottages set amongst the trees and close to the waters edge in the delta where the two rivers meet, these traditional old properties are comfortable, well equipped for self catering breaks and are ideal groups of friends or families who long to experience true nature, rural living and the way thinks used to be. Throughout the summer months we also offer fully serviced camp site facilities at reasonable rates, you can bring your own tent or rent an erected one. There is a well stocked shop within the village, the local campsite has cafe, tennis court and offers boat, kayak and cycle hire. The resident guide offers various exciting country activities, advice, airport transfers and you can hire him for sightseeing trips and road transfers to local towns and areas of interest.

Local buses pass close by on the main E12 every two hours, running a return service from Umea on the Baltic coast as far as Mo I Rana in Norway and calling at all major towns such as Storuman and Lycksele. There are many pleasant activities available in Lycksele including the zoo, shops, water-park and interesting museums

Each cottage has electricity, fridge/freezer, shower room and WC and kitchen utensils
Each cottage sleeps 4 persons, however one offers summer house accommodation for two extra Return airport transfers from Gunnarn are also included in the prices shown

Cottages are now available at: £300.00 per week or just £60.00 per day

Return flights; we would be happy to arrange and book your return flights via Stockholm (a small admin fee is charged) or if you prefer you can arrange you own flights, just let us know your flight times and we will collect you from Gunnarn or Lycksele* airports

Local car hire – at reasonable rates can also be pre-arranged if required. (Full licence must be produced)