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Home to more than a million birds that perch atop its cliffs, the Gjesværstappan islands are a grouping of nearly one hundred islands and rocks, mostly high, steep-sided islands covered in grass that is nearly covered by seabirds. These islands were designated as a nature reserve in 1983 due to their importance as nesting grounds for many species of seabirds, some of them endangered. A birdwatcher’s paradise, Gjesværstappan is noted as one of the more easily-accessed nesting areas in Europe for viewing Atlantic seabirds. It is comprised of several particularly large, tall islands, including Storstappan (rising 283 meters, or 928 feet, out of the sea), Kjerkestappen (166 meters or 545 feet) and Bukkstappen (92 meters, 302 feet). On Storstappan alone, more than one million nesting birds have been counted, and visitors are not allowed to set foot here between June and August to protect its activity as a nesting and breeding ground.
The islands of Gjesværstappan are home to one of the most important colonies of Atlantic Puffins in Norway. Other birds that visitors may see include White-tailed Eagles, Arctic Skuas, Common Eider Ducks, Razorbills, Guillemots (black and common), Great Cormorants, Gannets and other species.
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Here we had a zodiac cruise with Marcel, still sporting his Viking helmet,to circumnavigate the coastline of the island.
Click on any thumbnail photo and get a larger photo
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