Bodø boasts itself as the Sea Eagle Capital of Norway. Scientists believe that there are some 85 breeding pairs of White Tailed Sea Eagles in the Fjords around the city but not today. We only saw the adult Sea Eagle shown in the photo – not very focussed I’m afraid due to the cramped conditions on the Zodiac - and one juvenile in an hour of hunting for them.
Our guides told us that like many places in the Northern Europe it had been extremely cold in March, with a lot of snow, when the Sea Eagles lay and brood their eggs. It is thought that hardly any pairs have been successful this year in hatching young so the eagles have largely abandoned their nesting sites.
Puffins also regularly nest in this area and it was claimed by our Guides that they arrive on April 14th at 6.00am precisely after spending the winter months at sea although like he sea eagles they were not to be seen today.
I did however capture the rather good photo of an Oyster Catcher shown above as we ventured a little too close to its nesting site and young.
The waters below the site of this Oyster Catchers nest were crystal clear so clear in fact that our guides told us that when they dive they can see each other for some 100metres under water. They know the waters are clear and pure because of the pink sea urchins that can be seen thriving just below the surface – see photo.
Sport fishing, particularly in the vicinity of the tidal race is very popular. Big fish such as turbot and cod are to be had although foreign anglers are only allowed to take home 15 kilos of fish but local restaurants are very happy to prepare and cook any catches that exceed this quota.
We disturbed the Oyster Catcher for a little longer to view the interesting striated geological formations in this part of the fjord. These waves are formed of quartz, marble and other minerals.
The banks of the fjord are lined with rich, lush green meadows and pastures. The 24 hours of daylight mean that up to 3 hay crops a year can be harvested because once the temperature rises above 4 Centigrade plants will grow. It is also said that because photosynthesis can take place over the full 24 hours that the cloudberries and other fruits are 3 times as sweet.
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