Birdwatching above the Arctic Circle

Chilly winter nights are a great time for recalling your summer vacations. Most people dream of sunny beaches and clear skies, but for those who roamed across the Russian Arctic in June or July this is definitely not the case. Fog, rain and the harsh tundra may not be as stylish as popular getaways, but this area offers something unique and attractive that you can’t find anywhere else.

Photographer Andrey Nekrasov prefers the severe northern beauty of the Arctic to ordinary resorts. His trip to the Barents Sea natural reserve on Kharlov Island was truly one to remember.

"A most unusual panorama," is how Nekrasov describes his first impression of the island. "From one side of the hill you see boundless tundra and from the other (you see) rocky shores, sea and islands."

Kharlov Island is a part of the Kandalaksha natural reserve that was set up in the 1930s to protect rare Arctic birds. It used to have a meteorological station, but it closed down in 2009.

The only way to get to the uninhabited island is to catch the expedition vessel Kartesh in Teriberka, 130 kilometers from the regional capital of Murmansk.

Most travelers head here to see the bird colonies of rare eiders (a large seaduck) and urias (a medium-sized seabird). The luckiest (and most patient) bird watchers could go home with some fascinating shots.

"The din from the bird colony is intense even for residents of big cities," says Nekrasov.

"Seagulls and urias are quarreling and nestlings are crying,” says Nekrasov. “It's very interesting to watch how life goes on at this dormitory for birds."

In more remote parts of the island it is possible to find standalone eider nests. Birds are usually not afraid of people.

Seagulls are more than eager to share a meal with tourists.

Urias do not mind posing for shots – for free.

Time flies under northern skies. If you are tired and run out of food there's always the option of picking fresh northern berries that grow next to protected arctic lichen and moss.