Wetlands in and around Hafrsfjord
The cove at Grannesbukta is an extensive shallow embayment in inner Hafrsfjord.
Photo: Marius Harlem
Hagavågen
About 170 birds species have been recorded in the Hagavågen bay reserve in the north-west of the fjord. The rare dwarf eel grass lives here, known from only 12 other locations in Norway. It grows on the tidal flats and is assigned priority status under the Norwegian Biodiversity Act. The species is threatened by development, landfill and coastal pollution, and is thus classified as endangered (EN) on the Norwegian Red List.
Dwarf eel grass (Zostera noltei) and lugworm (Arenicola marina). These sausage-shaped sand mounds are in fact the faeces of the lugworm, which filters food from water and sand taken in its mouth before excreting the sand. Photo: Jan van der Straaten
Strandnesvågen
Many birds arrive at Strandnesvågen bay during their spring and autumn migrations, including rare species such as the bar-tailed godwit, dunlin, greenshank and ruff. Since the nature reserve is mostly sea, and surrounded by agricultural land, there is not much space for nesting, but fortunately the coastline here is relatively unspoiled.
The curlew (Numenius arquata) is a wetland bird that often overwinters in Hafrsfjord. Photo: Charles J. Sharp
Grannesbukta
Much of the cove at Grannesbukta forms a mudflat when the tide is out. The shoreline offers salt meadow and marsh habitats that are home to specially adapted plants. The site is visited by many birds, including rare species such as black-tailed godwit, grey plover and little stint. Grannesbukta is impacted by human activity, and the birds are vulnerable to landfill, agricultural run-off and road disturbance.
The ringed plover (Charadrius hiaticula) is a pretty little wader. Photo: Roy Mangersnes