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New bird observatory attracts traffic
Man and mammal bring coexisting versions of rush hour to delta

Bjørn Frantzen, head of the Longyearbyen Field Biology Society, welcomes members and other bird enthusiasts to the opening of the group's new observatory Friday. The site behind Svalbard Snoscooterutleie is "perhaps the best delta" in the region for bird viewing, he said.

Given that Svalbard is one of the most pristine areas in the world, you wouldn't think one of its best bird-watching spots is a place with lots of vehicles and sewage.

But a new observatory overlooking Adventfjorden from behind Svalbard Snoscooterutleie offers prime viewing from one of the most accessible places in the archipelago. Enthusiasts have long come to watch and collect data about more than 70 species flocking here by the thousands despite the close proximity to a major road and an auto, snowmobile and ATV dealer where motorized group sightseeing tours frequently depart.

"This delta area we have here is perhaps the best delta in all of Svalbard," said Bjørn Frantzen, leader of the Longyearbyen Field Biology Society (LoFF). "The cars, the traffic you are speaking of does not really affect the delta."

Also, those visiting the simple nine-meter by four-meter wood building that opened Friday don't have to worry about sewer stench, since a discharge pipe now extends three kilometers into the fjord. But Mikael Lagerborg, another society member who helped build the LoFF-huset, said at one time it played a role attracting ivory gulls to the delta.

"When the pipe was broken this was a real three-star restaurant for the gulls," he said, adding a carving of one is featured on the side of the not-quite-painted building.

An opening ceremony June 19 allowed a handful of enthusiasts to scan the waters using a couple of telescopes and peruse a 39-page guide about bird life newly published by LoFF. In addition, they got to see the observatory's first permanent resident - an eider with a nest under the water-facing edge.

"That's our first real supporter," Frantzen said.

Frantzen said the location was the last bit of available land on a parcel owned by Store Norske, who allowed them to build the observatory. Construction, once they obtained materials, took about five weeks.

"That was the easy part," he said.

Visitors search for birds using telescopes at the new observatory during its opening Friday. Officials with the Longyearbyen Field Biology Society said the center will be open to the public during warmer months, and accessible to schools and other local entities during the winter.

LoFF members and other bird enthusiasts have long used the site for observing and counting birds, which now can take place out of the elements during poor weather, Lagerborg said. He said good estimates of Svalbard bird populations are lacking and LoFF hopes to provide them to official agencies.

"We can prove this is an important bird area for the whole of Svalbard," he said.

About half of the building will be used for storage, with the remaining portion housing a few furnishings, the telescopes and - organizers hope - a few bookshelves. It will be open to the public during the warmer months, with schools and other local organizations having keys to allow winter access.

A small group of senior high school students, brought by a teacher, were among those attending the opening. Tonje Johansen, 17, said she's not a huge bird enthusiast, but after living in Longyearbyen for five years "I know all the names."

"It's better than being in class," she said.

Information about the project, PDF copies of the guide, posters about Svalbard bird life and other material is available at www.loff.biz.

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