Jæren Fuglefestival (bird festival)

The Jæren Bird Festival is an annual celebration of Jæren’s unique birdlife. The festival features exhibitions, excursions, talks and an open photography competition in which anyone with a photograph of birds taken in the five Jæren municipalities can take part.

From Randaberg in the north to Ogna in the south, 408 bird species have been recorded. The festival takes place at various locations across Jæren where the birds actually are and will be held from 11 to 13 September 2026. The 20 shortlisted entries from the photography competition will be on display at Friluftshuset in Orre on Saturday and Sunday from 12.00 to 16.00, and the best photographs will be announced on Friday evening during the photography talk and dinner.

Friday 11 September

• 
  11:30
  
  Lunch
  

• 
  12:00
  
  Opening ceremony — the festival will be officially opened by the mayors of the participating municipalities
  

• 
  12:30–15:00
  
  Tourism seminar
  
  Bryne Kro & Hotell
  

• 
  17:00–21:00
  
  Illustrated talk on birds in Jæren with Sveinung Hobberstad and Morten Tjemsland, followed by a discussion on the best birdwatching spots in Jæren. The evening concludes with a two-course dinner and the announcement of the photography competition winners.
  
  Bryne Kro & Hotell · NOK 695
  

Saturday 12 September

• 
  08:00–11:00
  
  Bird ringing with Steinar Eldøy
  
  Kvalbein · NOK 200 · free for children under 16 accompanied by an adult
  

• 
  10:00–12:00
  
  Birdwatching with bird guide Morten Tjemsland
  
  Orrevatnet · NOK 200 · free for children under 16 accompanied by an adult
  

• 
  10:00–12:00
  
  Birdwatching with bird guide Torstein Skåra
  
  Sømmevågen · NOK 200 · free for children under 16 accompanied by an adult
  

• 
  10:00–15:00
  
  Guided bus tour to some of the best birdwatching spots in Jæren with bird guide Sveinung Hobberstad. Includes a traditional Jæren-style meat dish and drinks.
  
  Departs from Bryne Kro & Hotell · NOK 1,060 per person
  

• 
  11:00–13:00
  
  Quiz, colouring activities and bird cards for children, organised by Falkeklubben
  
  Friluftshuset at Orre · Free admission
  

• 
  12:00–14:00
  
  Birdwatching with bird guide Øyvind Gjerde
  
  Kvassheim Lighthouse · NOK 200 · free for children under 16 accompanied by an adult
  

• 
  12:00–16:00
  
  Photography exhibition — featuring the 20 selected entries from the photography competition
  
  Friluftshuset at Orre · Free admission
  

• 
  14:00–16:00
  
  Birdwatching with bird guide Stein Elling Tofte
  
  Tungenes Lighthouse · NOK 200 · free for children under 16 accompanied by an adult
  

• 
  19:00
  
  Bird pub night featuring the “world premiere” of bird karaoke. Dinner will also be available.
  
  Bryne Kro & Hotell · Free admission
  

Sunday 13 September

• 
  08:00–10:00
  
  Bird ringing at Smokkevatnet for children and young people aged 8–17. Parents and other adults accompanying their children are also welcome. Organised by Falkeklubben.
  
  Car park by Megaflis, Bryne · Free admission
  

• 
  08:00–11:00
  
  Guided morning birdwatching walk from Refsnes to Hå gamle prestegard, where breakfast and coffee will be served. Return to Refsnes by bus. Guide: Sveinung Hobberstad.
  
  Refsnes to Hå gamle prestegard · NOK 590 per person
  

• 
  08:00–11:00
  
  Bird ringing with Steinar Eldøy
  
  Kvalbein · NOK 200 · free for children under 16 accompanied by an adult
  

• 
  10:00–12:00
  
  Birdwatching with bird guide Stein Elling Tofte
  
  Tungenes Lighthouse · NOK 200 · free for children under 16 accompanied by an adult
  

• 
  12:00–14:00
  
  Birdwatching with bird guide Frode Aardal
  
  Sømmevågen · NOK 200 · free for children under 16 accompanied by an adult
  

• 
  12:00–15:00
  
  Bird-themed family activities
  
  Mostun, Kvassheim and Friluftshuset at Orre · Free admission
  

• 
  12:00–16:00
  
  Photography exhibition — featuring the 20 selected entries from the photography competition
  
  Friluftshuset at Orre · Free admission
  

• 
  12:30–14:30
  
  Activities for young people with BirdLife Ung
  
  SiS Ullandhaug · Free admission
  

• 
  13:00–14:30
  
  Photo safari with Vegard Hanssen
  
  Friluftshuset at Orre · NOK 200 · free for children under 16 accompanied by an adult
  

• 
  14:00–16:00
  
  Birdwatching with bird guide Morten Tjemsland
  
  Orrevatnet · NOK 200 · free for children under 16 accompanied by an adult
  

Need accommodation?

Book directly with Bryne Kro & Hotell at [email protected]. Rates are NOK 1,150 for a single room and NOK 1,350 for a double room per night, including breakfast.

The festival is part of the Bird Tourism in Jæren project, which has also established 19 designated birdwatching sites in Randaberg, Sola, Klepp, Time and Hå.