On a par with Heligoland in Germany and Fair Isle near Shetland, Utsira is known for its rare bird life. The islands are located far out to sea and act as the last and first stop before and after an ocean crossing. However, the large coastal migration of birds goes further inland along the coast of Karmøy.
Since Utsira has one so central place in Norway's ornithological history, then Utsira municipality has long stressed future developers of Utsira Nord; We can't shit on birds. when the first pilot on offshore wind is planned at Utsira Nord.
Utsira Municipality also wants to facilitate the establishment of a separate visitor center/follow-up research center for birds and offshore wind at Utsira. Some of the content will be data
Here is a list of bird and biodiversity projects that Utsira Municipality assists with:
Bat detectors at Utsira
NMBU has three 'listening stations' for bats starting in 2024. The purpose is to find out more about bats that cross the ocean on migration. More about digital monitoring of bats and bird sounds here
Sound of Norway – bird listening station
NINA, in collaboration with Cambridge University and support from MD, has a project with five different listening stations that record the sounds of birds passing through Utsira.
Loon Project: (last year in 2025 with recapture of old light logs)
three-year NINA project supported by Equinor. Capture of 15 gannets in 2022, 2023 and 2024, with GPS tracking during the breeding season (for GPS tags thereafter) and a light log that tracks light intensity and areas of residence in the winter months. Utsira municipality participates in trapping and arranging for researchers. We have signaled wishes for the presentation of data afterwards in the future research/visitor centre.
Track camera: (Discontinued – but technology is still used at Solvind AS to track birds in contact with turbines)
DWO and Solvind AS have tested AI/CI technology, which recognizes birds. Takes pictures of birds and the flight path of birds that pass up to two km from the camera (larger birds such as gannets are recognizable at +500 metres). Must expire 2023.03.29. Utsira municipality has stressed a joint report from both cameras
Radar bird monitoring: (Ended in 2024)
NINA project (ground support paid by Å Energi/Ori..) Geir Mobakken verifies radar image to art. Radar image can take in flocks of 1 mile. Agreement between Utsira Bird Station and NINA. The project also has a radar at Lista Lighthouse for comparison of moves past Lista and Utsira Nord. The radar does not have ionizing radiation. Read more about radiation at the Norwegian Working Environment Authority.
Also read about other Research Projects at biodiversity in utsira.kommune.no
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