As the first birch leaves turn golden in Lofoten, Arctic terns begin their remarkable migration south, a journey spanning thousands of miles to warmer regions. This shift in season not only signals their departure but reveals a landscape alive with transitions, especially for birdwatchers. Just weeks before, the mountain hares sat in the same kind of seasonal in-betweenness, and now the forests and skies fill with migrating birds preparing for the journey ahead.
The Quiet Majesty of Lofoten’s Autumn Birdlife
When the midnight sun finally gives way, the fall in Lofoten takes on a serene yet vibrant energy. By late September, the sky, once filled with summer visitors like meadow pipits, oystercatchers, golden plovers, common gulls, and Eurasian curlews, begins to empty as these species follow the light southward. Yet the shifting season is far from empty—it’s a birding paradise for those seeking the subtler, quieter sightings.
#generationnature
Watching New Arrivals and Seasonal Changes
With each passing day, a new cast of avian visitors appears along the coasts. Winter gulls, such as black-legged kittiwakes, gather along the shorelines, their cries carried on the wind, while common redpolls chatter across the dunes. Migrating songbirds, including reed buntings, chiffchaffs, and yellow-browed warblers, pause on their journey, bringing a global rhythm to this northern land. These subtle shifts capture a world in motion, as snowshoe hares and short-tailed weasels switch to winter white coats while moose migrate, marking the beginning of the rut.
#autumnhues
A Global Migration, Tied Together by Birds
As songbirds like redwings and fieldfares travel south, they remind us of the connections that bird migration weaves across continents. Even here in the remote north, birdwatchers witness a thread that connects Lofoten to far-off places through these incredible travellers.
The Journey Toward Winter
By the end of September, snow dusts the highest peaks, signalling winter’s approach. Birdwatchers who hike the trails experience a unique seasonal layering: at higher elevations, winter’s quiet, snow-covered landscapes appear, while autumn’s sounds—last of the chattering redpolls and rustling flocks of fieldfares—fill the lower hills. The constant ebb and flow of weather—sun, rain, snow, and rainbows—paints the island in shifting hues, making every sighting feel unique.
Living with Nature’s Rhythms
In Lofoten’s small villages, life moves at the pace of the seasons, deeply connected to nature’s rhythms. Here, the birds lead the way, each species adapting to the seasonal dance with precision and purpose. For birding enthusiasts, Lofoten’s autumn offers a rare opportunity to witness nature’s transitions up close. It’s a season to savor, where every moment brings a glimpse of migration, preparation, and the beauty of life on the wing.
About the Author:
Charles Post
is a Norway based ecologist, Explorers Club Fellow, and award-winning filmmaker with a love for birding and exploring the outdoors with his wife, Rachel Pohl and their Samoyed, Mr. Knute. Following nearly a decade of field work and studies at U.C. Berkeley, earning his bachelor and master’s degrees in ecology, Charles embarked on a creative journey, spanning topics from the decline of kittiwakes in the Norwegian arctic to the beauty and fragility of migrating raptors across North America.
For more information and fascinating adventures visit his Instagram account: @charles_post.
