Padjelanta National Park

Birds

Padjelanta National Park is an excellent habitat for numerous bird species, particularly those adapted to arctic and alpine environments. The park’s mix of tundra, wetlands, and lakes provides an ideal breeding ground for various birds. Here are some of the notable species found in the park:

Golden Eagle
A powerful raptor, the golden eagle is one of the top predators in the region. With its keen eyesight and strong talons, it hunts hares, birds, and even small reindeer. These majestic birds are often seen soaring over the park’s vast landscapes.

Gyrfalcon
The gyrfalcon, the world’s largest falcon, is a fierce hunter that preys on ptarmigans and other small birds. With its white or gray plumage, it blends well into the rocky and snowy terrain of Padjelanta.

Willow Ptarmigan
A well-camouflaged bird, the willow ptarmigan changes its plumage from brown in summer to white in winter. It thrives in the park’s tundra and scrublands, feeding on buds, leaves, and berries.

Rock Ptarmigan
Closely related to the willow ptarmigan, the rock ptarmigan is another species that undergoes seasonal color changes. It inhabits higher-altitude rocky slopes and is a crucial prey species for raptors and foxes.

Whooper Swan
This elegant swan breeds in the park’s lakes and wetlands. Known for its loud, trumpeting call, the whooper swan migrates to milder regions during the winter but returns to Padjelanta in summer to raise its young.

Lapland Longspur
A striking songbird, the Lapland longspur thrives in the tundra habitat of the park. Males display bold black, white, and chestnut plumage during the breeding season and sing to attract mates.

Bluethroat
Often referred to as the “northern nightingale,” the bluethroat is a small but vibrant songbird with a striking blue throat. It breeds in the park’s shrublands and wetlands, feeding on insects and berries.

Merlin
This small but agile falcon is a skilled hunter, preying on small birds and insects. It can often be seen darting through the skies in pursuit of its next meal.

Common Redpoll
A small finch with a distinctive red crown, the common redpoll thrives in the birch forests and tundra of Padjelanta. It feeds on seeds and insects, often forming flocks in winter.

White-Tailed Eagle
One of Europe’s largest birds of prey, the white-tailed eagle is a formidable hunter that preys on fish and waterfowl. It can be spotted gliding over lakes and rivers, searching for food.

Padjelanta National Park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, offering opportunities to witness some of Sweden’s most iconic mammals and birds in their natural habitats.

Popular

Padjelanta National Park, located in northern Sweden, is the largest national park in the country and part of the UNESCO-listed Laponian Area. Known for its vast tundra landscapes, glacial valleys, and rich Sami cultural heritage, the park is home to a variety of arctic and boreal wildlife. Here are some of the popular species found in the park:

Eurasian Lynx
A secretive predator, the Eurasian lynx roams the forests and mountainous terrain of Padjelanta. This feline has a thick fur coat, tufted ears, and a short tail, making it well-adapted to the cold climate. It primarily preys on small to medium-sized mammals like hares and reindeer calves.

Wolverine
An elusive carnivore, the wolverine is known for its incredible strength and resilience. It is a scavenger and predator, feeding on carrion, rodents, and weakened reindeer. Wolverines are highly territorial and thrive in the remote wilderness of the park.

Brown Bear
One of the largest land predators in Europe, the brown bear can be found in the denser forested regions of Padjelanta. These omnivores feed on berries, roots, fish, and sometimes small mammals. They hibernate during the harsh winters, emerging in spring to forage for food.

Reindeer
Reindeer are an essential part of the Sami culture and economy, and they roam freely in Padjelanta. These hardy animals have thick fur and wide hooves that help them traverse snowy and rocky terrain. They graze on lichens, mosses, and grasses throughout the park.

Arctic Fox
The Arctic fox is well adapted to the harsh tundra environment, with thick fur that changes color from brown in summer to white in winter. These small but resourceful mammals scavenge for food and hunt rodents such as lemmings.

Moose
The moose, the largest member of the deer family, is found in Padjelanta’s forests and wetlands. These solitary herbivores feed on leaves, aquatic plants, and twigs. Their large size and distinctive antlers make them an iconic species in the park.

Red Fox
Unlike its Arctic cousin, the red fox is more widespread and adaptable. It inhabits both forested and tundra regions of the park and preys on small mammals, birds, and insects while also scavenging human food remnants when available.

Mountain Hare
The mountain hare is a well-camouflaged species that changes its fur from brown in summer to white in winter for better concealment in the snow. They are a crucial food source for predators like lynxes and foxes.

European Otter
This semi-aquatic mammal thrives in Padjelanta’s rivers and lakes. European otters are excellent swimmers and hunt fish, amphibians, and small invertebrates. Their playful nature makes them a fascinating species to observe.

Lemming
Lemmings are small rodents that play a vital role in the ecosystem, serving as a primary food source for predators like Arctic foxes and birds of prey. Their population fluctuates in cycles, which significantly impacts the predator-prey dynamics in the park.

Birds

Padjelanta National Park is an excellent habitat for numerous bird species, particularly those adapted to arctic and alpine environments. The park’s mix of tundra, wetlands, and lakes provides an ideal breeding ground for various birds. Here are some of the notable species found in the park:

Golden Eagle
A powerful raptor, the golden eagle is one of the top predators in the region. With its keen eyesight and strong talons, it hunts hares, birds, and even small reindeer. These majestic birds are often seen soaring over the park’s vast landscapes.

Gyrfalcon
The gyrfalcon, the world’s largest falcon, is a fierce hunter that preys on ptarmigans and other small birds. With its white or gray plumage, it blends well into the rocky and snowy terrain of Padjelanta.

Willow Ptarmigan
A well-camouflaged bird, the willow ptarmigan changes its plumage from brown in summer to white in winter. It thrives in the park’s tundra and scrublands, feeding on buds, leaves, and berries.

Rock Ptarmigan
Closely related to the willow ptarmigan, the rock ptarmigan is another species that undergoes seasonal color changes. It inhabits higher-altitude rocky slopes and is a crucial prey species for raptors and foxes.

Whooper Swan
This elegant swan breeds in the park’s lakes and wetlands. Known for its loud, trumpeting call, the whooper swan migrates to milder regions during the winter but returns to Padjelanta in summer to raise its young.

Lapland Longspur
A striking songbird, the Lapland longspur thrives in the tundra habitat of the park. Males display bold black, white, and chestnut plumage during the breeding season and sing to attract mates.

Bluethroat
Often referred to as the “northern nightingale,” the bluethroat is a small but vibrant songbird with a striking blue throat. It breeds in the park’s shrublands and wetlands, feeding on insects and berries.

Merlin
This small but agile falcon is a skilled hunter, preying on small birds and insects. It can often be seen darting through the skies in pursuit of its next meal.

Common Redpoll
A small finch with a distinctive red crown, the common redpoll thrives in the birch forests and tundra of Padjelanta. It feeds on seeds and insects, often forming flocks in winter.

White-Tailed Eagle
One of Europe’s largest birds of prey, the white-tailed eagle is a formidable hunter that preys on fish and waterfowl. It can be spotted gliding over lakes and rivers, searching for food.

Padjelanta National Park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, offering opportunities to witness some of Sweden’s most iconic mammals and birds in their natural habitats.