The case in summary: Ornithologist Kjell Mork Soot has built a hotel for sand swallows, a red-listed bird species, in Hareid municipality in Sunnmøre. Soot says that he built the hotel to get the sand swallows to come back to Hareid. The hotel has over 400 rooms and is open all year round, although the birds usually check out at the end of August. According to Soot, the number of sand swallows has increased every year since the hotel was built, and Soot hopes the trend will continue. The bird organization BirdLife believes that such measures are important to help the bird population. Around 40 per cent of the bird species in Norway and over 63 per cent of Norwegian seabirds are on the red list. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. Close to the Grimstadvatnet nature reserve in Hareid municipality, there is a hotel that is constantly attracting new guests. – There are around 30 couples here now. That’s most of what has been here, says Kjell Mork Soot with a smile and looks towards the sand swallow hotel. He has worked as an ornithologist for a number of years and is passionate about looking after birds. Would help red-listed species Several well-known bird species are about to disappear. Sand swallows are a red-listed species in Norway. It is assumed that the Norwegian breeding population consists of around 10-15,000 pairs. Kjell Mork Soot held five-day-old sand swallows. Photo: Arne Flatin / news A few years ago, Soot decided to build a hotel to bring the sand swallows back to Hareid. In childhood he grew up with the bird species. – Back then there were many sand swallows nesting here. There were around 500–1000 pairs, but then they disappeared and it was completely empty here for a while. Little by little, the sand swallows have returned. Every year there have been more and more sand swallows there. He emphasizes that it is important to take care of the bird species. – You have to try to help the stock up again. They belong to the ecosystem here. No one knows what will happen if they disappear. Among other things, they take quite a few insects, which I think many appreciate, says the ornithologist. Check-in and check-out: The swallows fly in and out of the hotel. Arne Flatin/news “All inclusive” The hotel has over 400 rooms. The hotel is made of leca blocks. Soot has placed pipes through the blocks that lead the birds to the nest boxes at the back. There is more than enough space for the birds to make themselves comfortable and enjoy their holiday. Many of the birds are already well underway with nesting. – Some of them are still laying eggs, so they are not ready until well into August. And with Grimstadvatnet in the immediate vicinity, the feathered guests also have very good access to food during their stay. Here they can eat as much as they want. – There is a lot of food in the water and many insects for the birds. Ornithologist Kjell Mork Soot built the bird hotel at Hareid to help the red-listed sand swallow. Photo: Arne Flatin / news The hotel is open all year round, although guests usually check out at the end of August. – I don’t close, but then they usually run away. At the end of August, many of them fly down to south of the Sahara, says Soot. The species breeds along the Nile, throughout Europe, northern and central Asia and in North America. Come back year after year The guests seem to be so satisfied with the hotel that they come back year after year. And new guests keep coming. – It is likely because the children will return the following year, and then they may bring others with them as well. Soot hopes that the positive trend will continue. – Every year it has increased and by next year I reckon there will be even more. Make arrangements for the birds Around the bird hotel you can hear the constant sound of birds chirping. But it is not only the guests who are responsible for the concert. Sound also comes out of a speaker. – The English have found out that if you turn on the sound of barnacles, these birds will come too, says Soot. And that is exactly what has happened. Now the tower seals have also found their way to the hotel on Sunnmøre. There has been activity in three nesting boxes, and according to the ornithologist this is historic. – This is the first year they have nested here at Hareid. In one box there are two chicks and in the other there are eggs. – Critical for many species Martin Eggen, nature conservation adviser at the bird organization BirdLife, says the situation is critical for many bird species in Norway. Earlier, news reported that seabird populations have experienced a dramatic decline. Martin Eggen says that there is a lot one can do to help the bird population. Photo: PRIVAT – 40 per cent of bird species and over 63 per cent of Norwegian seabirds are on the red list. It is serious. Eggen praises the bird hotel at Hareid. He says that such things are important to increase the population of highly threatened and vulnerable birds, such as grebes and sand swallows. He encourages others to do similar things. – Everyone can do something to help, says Eggen and points to a number of measures that can help birds: Tips for helping birds: Furthermore, Martin Eggen has these tips to help birds. Help the birds with nesting sites: – Especially in areas with active forestry, there are few cavities, and there are several tens of species that depend on them for nesting. By setting up a bird box, you can help. This also applies close to residential areas and in cities. Modern houses are dense, so close to residential areas and in cities it is also good to have bird boxes. And remember to put up the barn door for the barn swallows, says Eggen. Think like a duck and make a pond: – We are in the UN decade for nature restoration. We must get nature back if we are to ensure a sustainable future for humans and animals. Ponds and wetlands are very popular with birds. Clear islets that have grown back: – That way, the islet can once again become a nesting place for seabirds. Seabirds go to islets and islands to nest, but disturbances, development and overgrowth mean that there are fewer places to be, says Eggen. Clean up marine waste and other rubbish: This should ideally be done outside the nesting season. – Pollution and plastic kill and injure many birds. Protect the birds during their nesting season: Make sure that nests, eggs and chicks are protected against damage and disturbances. Be careful: Drive carefully when there are baby birds in the road and drive away from birds when you are in a boat. Information: Give the local population and tourists information about where birds nest. Remind them of the bandh from 1 April to 20 August, says Eggen. – By putting up information signs, we can minimize the damage caused by disturbances. Take care of your area: Many people have a nice nearby forest, mountain area, a moor or a bog where they live. Make sure the birds are allowed to be in peace there. Remove mink: The nature conservation advisor emphasizes that mink is an alien species in Norway that causes great damage to bird life. By reducing the population, you can give the birds a better chance. – You can also make nesting rafts that are mink-proof, says Eggen. Keep the cat inside more, especially in the morning: – That’s when they take the most birds. Also equip it with a special neck collar, designed to reduce hunting success. You can read more tips here. Consumption: Eggen emphasizes that one should also think about one’s own consumption of resources and that this is one of the drivers behind nature loss. Focus on problems and challenges: – Focus on nature challenges and vote for politicians who are concerned with climate and nature. Be aware of the consequences of agriculture: Eggen encourages, among other things, to support nature-friendly food production and emphasizes that intensive agriculture affects the bird population. – To reverse this, we must give the birds more space and facilitate a rich insect life and ensure that the birds have places to lay eggs and find food. Become a bird lover: – Norwegian nature is fantastic, and everyone can experience birds where they live. Inspire others to become bird lovers and enjoy the birds. Teach the next generation about the birds around us. The world needs many more bird friends. Published 04.08.2024, at 22.08
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Kjell Mork Soot runs a hotel for red-listed sand swallows at Grimstadvatnet in Hareid – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
