We report results of the Norwegian Knot Project for 2010. The stopover population in Porsanger, N Norway, was estimated at 36,000. The first Red Knots Calidris canutus (12,250) had already arrived by the time of the first count on 13 May. Counts suggested large arrivals around 15/16 May (population then 25,000) and 19/20 May (population then 36,000). The main departures were from 25 to 28 May. The distribution continued to shift to the east with almost all birds up to 25 May being in Lille Porsangerfjord and Veidnes. There were frequent attacks by Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus on the big flocks at Lille Porsangerfjord, but it is suggested that this site is the safest place in the Porsanger area because the wide mudflats enable birds to gather in larger flocks, which have good visibility of approaching Peregrines. On 25 May numbers on the east side of Porsangerfjord built up to about 5,000, possibly due to birds leaving Lille Porsangerfjord because of strong easterly winds.
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