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FINDING THE WHITE-BACKED WOODPECKER SITE

AT

FODNES, NEAR LAERDAL, NORWAY

By Stephen Burch,

Map of the site

1. Parking
2. Start of path up mountainside
3. Approximate location of White-backed Woodpecker site

Directions to the site

a. Take the Route 5 north from Laerdal, through the tunnel

b. Park at the Fodnes ferry terminal (Red 1 on map). Plenty of spaces available.

c. Walk along the rough private road towards the houses at the point (red 2 on map). Scan shoreline for Gulls (e.g. Iceland).

d. Find the start of the path, which goes to the left of the first house - clearly marked. Also a leaflet is available, but only in Norwegian!

e. Follow the red markers which go up the hillside to the left. Quite a steep ascent in places, but not as bad as the path to Asen out of Laerdal!

f. Some way up the path splits. The most direct route is way marked and goes to the right, and follows the crest of the ridge upwards. Avoid the left fork which is not way marked, but don't worry too much if you find yourself on this (like I did) - take a right turn and it rejoins the ridge path some way further up.

g. After about an hour, you should reach a sign which says "Olavskjelda". There is a tiny pool of water here.

h. Carry on upwards a short way, and watch for the path splitting again. Take the left fork. It is way marked with red after a little way.

i. Look for a collection of stones (see photo) on the left of the path, about 5-10 mins after Olavskjelda. This was where I first heard but did not see well the birds.

j. Look for a feint, non way-marked path running below, but roughly parallel with the main path. Descend to this path, and go to your right - it contours around the montainside, neither going steeply up or down. After about 10 mins, I found the White-backed Woodpecker pair calling loudly, and had good views (roughly red 3 on map).

Record pic - hand held CP4500, without 'scope, but identifiable nonetheless!

2007 Update
As a result of reading this account, David Bradnum contacted me to say that he tried for the White-backed Woodpeckers above Fodnes on 16 August 2007. He reports finding them in EXACTLY the same location as described here!

If anyone else tries this site as a result of this account, I would be very interested to hear from them. To send me an e-mail, click here

House at start of path (stage d on instructions)

"Olavskjelda" - stage g on instructions

Split in path - take left fork - stage h on instructions

Stones - stage i on instructions