The eider ducks prefer to live out among all the small islands in the World Heritage Area, and you don't always see much of them when you visit the main island of Vega. Here you'll find more information about when and where you can see them.
Winter
Eider ducks winter in Norway, migrating shorter distances to ice-free wintering areas with plenty of food. There are various wintering areas, including in the fjords. We still don't know much about exactly where the eiders spend the winter, but it is likely that some of the eiders spend the winter out among the Vega Islands.
Early spring
In the spring, the eiders gather in large flocks and migrate towards land and their breeding grounds. The male has the winter plumage and is black and white with an olive-green neck, while the female is mottled brown. The birds will now find a partner before the mating season. This is the time to hear the beautiful call of the male, the e-call, as he tries to attract a female, the e-goose call. His sound is a calm, deep "ao-ao" sound. The female responds with a more cackling sound, hence the local nickname e-gåkkå.
These flocks can be found both out among the islands and around the main island. Binoculars or a telescope are recommended if you want to see them properly. At the World Heritage Center, we have both that you can use here in case there are flocks outside the center.
Late spring
In May, pairs of eider ducks begin searching for a nesting site on land. Many birds seek out places where they know the bird keepers have made houses for them, while others make nests in the open. Eider ducks prefer to nest on islands where they can enjoy peace and quiet when lying on the nest.
At the World Heritage Center, you can learn a lot of exciting things about the dune tradition and the lives of fishermen. Along the nature trail around the World Heritage Center, we've built eider houses to show what they might look like, even though it's too crowded here for the eiders to use them.
If you'd like to experience the eider ducks and the down tradition up close, we recommend a visit to Lånan down. Link to them:
The male leaves the female when she settles on the nest and spends the summer out on the outermost reefs where he molts into his summer plumage - then he turns gray-brown and looks more like the female. During this period he is very shy and we don't see much of him.
summer
In June, after incubating the eggs for almost a month, the female leaves the nest with the chicks and they spend the summer at sea looking for food in the shallow kelp forest.
At this time of year, you can see female eider ducks with flocks of chicks between the islets, even on the main island. A pair of binoculars is a great way to get a better look at them.
If you are out on a boat, remember to pay attention to the birds during this vulnerable time.
Late summer and autumn
In late summer, the eider chicks are big enough to fend for themselves, and now the female also molts her plumage. In the fall, females, males and young birds gather again in flocks and eventually migrate to different wintering areas.