– This is an unusual situation, ” says Per Espen Fjeld of the Norwegian nature inspectorate.

He has kept on with the bird for over 50 years and have never experienced anything like.

CONCERNED: Per Espen Fjeld of the Norwegian nature inspectorate is concerned about the number of dead ærfugler. Here pictured in connection with a different matter.

Photo: Philip Hofgaard / NRK

– I have never seen that so many birds die in such a short time, ” says Fjeld.

the Norwegian nature inspectorate has received many reports of dead ærfugler and birds that are clearly struggling along the coast from Bamble and upwards in the county of Vestfold.

Why do the birds die have been uncertain, but now the national veterinary institute have found the answer.

Concerned about the wildlife in the Oslo fjord after the discovery of plastkuler Die of starvation

Around 70 birds are collected from the coast of Agder to Østfold. Six of the birds are now obdusert and analyzed by the national veterinary institute. The preliminary autopsy report shows no signs of bird flu, but the birds are thin and emaciated.

” We don’t know yet why ærfuglene die of hunger, says a senior adviser Fred Marius Svendsen with the County governor in Vestfold and Telemark.

There is therefore now collect the birds in to find out why they do not receive enough food. The birds have a varied diet of benthic fauna, such as mussels, crabs, benthos, polychaete worms, and starfish.

About some of these species have had a reduction, one knows not yet sure, ” says Svendsen.

request an exception from hytteforbud to salvage the common eider Decline in mussels

Information such as the Norwegian nature inspectorate has received from the fishermen and local, may, nevertheless, indicate a decline in blåskjellbestanden through the several years.

Back in my youth we found mussels everywhere. Now we see almost nothing, ” says Fjeld.

the Norwegian nature inspectorate, the national veterinary institute and Norwegian institute for nature research are now working closely together to find a more research-based and safer cause.

This is how you want to see the common eider. Here depicted in the wind in Ballstad, Nordland.

Photo: Johannes Berg

Fjeld of the Norwegian nature inspectorate do not think there is a danger for the population.

– It will lead to a bestandsnedgang, but other places in the country it goes very well with the common eider.

however, He is concerned for the breeding season that is starting soon. Have the birds little fat reserves it can lead to a very poor season.

– It requires a lot of energy for the birds to add all the eggs. So they should be quiet and incubate for several weeks.