Forlandet National Park

Birds

Forlandet National Park is a haven for Arctic birdlife, with towering cliffs and coastal areas providing essential nesting sites for seabirds. The park’s remote location ensures minimal human disturbance, allowing bird species to thrive.

Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica)
One of the most recognizable seabirds, the Atlantic puffin is known for its colorful beak and excellent diving skills. It nests in burrows on rocky cliffs and feeds primarily on small fish.

Brünnich’s Guillemot (Uria lomvia)
These seabirds nest in large colonies on Forlandet’s cliffs, forming dense groups. They are agile underwater hunters, using their wings to propel themselves while chasing fish.

Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)
A graceful gull species, the black-legged kittiwake is commonly seen soaring over the ocean in search of small fish and marine invertebrates. It nests on steep cliffs along the park’s coastline.

Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis)
Closely related to albatrosses, the northern fulmar is a seabird that glides effortlessly over the waves. It has a distinctive tube-shaped nostril on its beak, which helps excrete excess salt from seawater.

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
This large sea duck is well adapted to Arctic waters, with thick down feathers that provide insulation. Female eiders pluck their own down to line their nests, creating the softest natural insulation known to humans.

Little Auk (Alle alle)
A small but abundant seabird, the little auk gathers in massive flocks near breeding sites. It feeds on plankton and small fish, diving deep into the water with rapid wingbeats.

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus)
One of the largest gulls in the Arctic, the glaucous gull is an opportunistic feeder that preys on fish, bird eggs, and even carrion. It is often seen patrolling the coastline for food.

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis)
A rare land bird in Forlandet, the snow bunting breeds in rocky Arctic terrain. It is one of the few songbirds that thrive in such extreme conditions.

Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus)
Also known as the Arctic skua, this predatory seabird is known for its aggressive hunting tactics, often chasing other birds to steal their food.

Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata)
This striking waterbird is known for its eerie, wailing calls. It breeds on tundra lakes and migrates to open ocean waters during winter.

Forlandet National Park remains one of the most pristine Arctic habitats, providing a refuge for an array of incredible wildlife, both on land and in the sea.

Popular

Forlandet National Park, located on the western coast of Spitsbergen in Svalbard, Norway, is known for its dramatic landscapes, icy waters, and diverse wildlife. The park is a critical habitat for Arctic species, including marine mammals and terrestrial animals adapted to the extreme polar environment.

Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)
The polar bear, the apex predator of the Arctic, is commonly seen in Forlandet National Park. These massive carnivores rely on sea ice to hunt for seals and are often spotted near the coastline or swimming between ice floes.

Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)
Walruses are among the most iconic residents of the park, often gathering in large herds on the shores. These massive marine mammals use their long tusks for defense, hauling out onto ice, and digging for clams in the seabed.

Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus)
The Arctic fox is a small, resourceful predator that thrives in Forlandet’s harsh environment. It changes its coat color with the seasons—white in winter and brownish-gray in summer—to blend in with the landscape while hunting for rodents, birds, and carrion.

Svalbard Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus)
A unique subspecies of reindeer, the Svalbard reindeer is shorter and stockier than its mainland relatives. It roams the tundra in search of mosses, lichens, and other vegetation, even digging through the snow during winter to find food.

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)
Forlandet National Park is home to one of the northernmost populations of harbor seals. These agile swimmers prefer sheltered bays and coastal waters, where they feed on fish and crustaceans.

Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus)
Easily recognized by its long whiskers, the bearded seal is commonly found in the icy waters of the park. These seals play an essential role in the Arctic ecosystem, serving as a primary food source for polar bears.

Ringed Seal (Pusa hispida)
One of the most abundant seals in the Arctic, the ringed seal is well-adapted to life under the ice. It creates breathing holes in the ice and is a crucial prey species for polar bears and Arctic foxes.

Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas)
These small, white whales are often spotted in the fjords and coastal waters of Forlandet National Park. Known for their vocalizations, belugas are highly social and frequently travel in pods.

Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus)
One of the longest-living mammals on Earth, the bowhead whale migrates through the cold waters of the park. This massive baleen whale can break through thick ice to breathe and is known for its remarkable ability to survive in Arctic conditions.

Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
The smallest of the baleen whales commonly found in the area, the minke whale is often seen feeding on krill and small fish in the nutrient-rich waters off Forlandet.

Birds

Forlandet National Park is a haven for Arctic birdlife, with towering cliffs and coastal areas providing essential nesting sites for seabirds. The park’s remote location ensures minimal human disturbance, allowing bird species to thrive.

Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica)
One of the most recognizable seabirds, the Atlantic puffin is known for its colorful beak and excellent diving skills. It nests in burrows on rocky cliffs and feeds primarily on small fish.

Brünnich’s Guillemot (Uria lomvia)
These seabirds nest in large colonies on Forlandet’s cliffs, forming dense groups. They are agile underwater hunters, using their wings to propel themselves while chasing fish.

Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)
A graceful gull species, the black-legged kittiwake is commonly seen soaring over the ocean in search of small fish and marine invertebrates. It nests on steep cliffs along the park’s coastline.

Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis)
Closely related to albatrosses, the northern fulmar is a seabird that glides effortlessly over the waves. It has a distinctive tube-shaped nostril on its beak, which helps excrete excess salt from seawater.

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
This large sea duck is well adapted to Arctic waters, with thick down feathers that provide insulation. Female eiders pluck their own down to line their nests, creating the softest natural insulation known to humans.

Little Auk (Alle alle)
A small but abundant seabird, the little auk gathers in massive flocks near breeding sites. It feeds on plankton and small fish, diving deep into the water with rapid wingbeats.

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus)
One of the largest gulls in the Arctic, the glaucous gull is an opportunistic feeder that preys on fish, bird eggs, and even carrion. It is often seen patrolling the coastline for food.

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis)
A rare land bird in Forlandet, the snow bunting breeds in rocky Arctic terrain. It is one of the few songbirds that thrive in such extreme conditions.

Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus)
Also known as the Arctic skua, this predatory seabird is known for its aggressive hunting tactics, often chasing other birds to steal their food.

Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata)
This striking waterbird is known for its eerie, wailing calls. It breeds on tundra lakes and migrates to open ocean waters during winter.

Forlandet National Park remains one of the most pristine Arctic habitats, providing a refuge for an array of incredible wildlife, both on land and in the sea.