The Tanamunningen Nature Reserve
is for its seal and common merganser

The Tanamunningen nature reserve

The Tanamunningen nature reserve area (The Tana estuary) is protected to preserve a large and characteristic delta area of international importance as a resting area and living area for wetland birds.

Here are Northern Norway's largest continuous stretch of rivershore meadows, and an interesting rivershore vegetation. The nature reserve covers 34.5 square kilometres, approximately 1.8 square kilometers being land area. The area was protected by Royal Decree 20 Septembre 1991.


(Photo: Olav E. Johansen)

Large and dynamic delta

During each annual flooding the Tana river transports large amounts of debris that is deposited. in the sand down towards the river's estuary. At the bottom of the Tana fjord a large delta area is built up. The river changes its side courses and sand banks from year to year. Thus the main river course and the sand banks are in constant change.

The Tana estuary is the largest delta region in Norway which is not influenced by large human interventions. It is also the most dynamic delta system in Norway.

Subarctic meadows

The Tana estuary has large and well developed riverside meadows of the subarctic type, with large variations in vegetation types. The area shows various stages in the creation of meadows, and the transition to river shore and land vegetation. The river shore and sand dune vegetation have varied flora with some distinct eastern species such as the Tana thyme (Thymus tanaensis) and the large pink carnation (Dianthus superbus).

Bird- and wildlife

The Tanamunningen nature reserve has a large food production and is of great importance as a feeding area, moulting area and wintering area for ducks, and resting area for waders, geese and divers. Many bird species are registered here. Amon them are 19 duck species, 5 goose species, 22 wader species, 14 bird species of gulls and other wetland birds.

Of particular interest is the large number of male common merganser (mergus merganser) gathered in the area every autumn. Up to 27,000 individuals are observed here. These are male birds that prefer the Finnmark coast after mating. They gather in the Tana estuary before moving south.

Other interesting species are long-tailed duck (clangula hyemalis), whitewinged scoter (melanitta fusca), king eider (Somateria spectabilis), eiders (somateria mollissima) and the magnificent red-breasted merganser (mergus serrator).

There are also sporadic occurences of bean goose (anser fabalis), greater white-fronted goose (anser albifrons), lesser white-fronted goose (anser erythropus), the brant goose (branta bernicla), and barnacle goose (branta leucopsis). And the Tana estuary has a special stock of the common seal (phoca vitulina), .

Excerpts from the preservation regulations

You are welcome to visit the reserve, but note the following rules:

The area is protected against all technical interventions and actions that can alter or interfere with the natural environment.

The vegetation is protected against all harm and damage.New plant species must not be introduced.

Picking berries and mushrooms is permitted.

All wildlife, including nests and eggs, are protected against all harm, damage and unnecessary interference.

Hunting, trapping and the use of firearms is prohibited.

Dogs must always be kept on a leash.

Killing of seals damaging salmon fishing gear is allowed by the owner of the gear, but only in the immediate vicinity of the gear.

The use of motor vehicles is prohibited.

It is possible to apply for an exemption for using tractors for transportation of salmon fishing equipment. Starting and landing aircraft is not allowed.

Management

The County Governor of Finnmark is the management authority for the nature reserve. Any questions about the provisions should be addressed to: County Governor of Finnmark, the Environment Department, 9800 Vadsų, tel. 789-50 300 or Statskog (State Forest), Tana tel. 789-27216. Detailed map of Tanamunningen nature reserve

Find Tanamunningen estuary in Google map.

(This article is translated by us. The Finnmark County Governor has not had it for approval. Some latin names for plants, birds and animals are added to avoid misunderstandings when translating Norwegian terminology into English. You can see the Norwegian text if you follow the link "Tanamunningen nature reserve" above).