Ptarmigan Rock (Lagopus muta) male & female – Arctic Norway

Full Size

This photo was taken by Richard Horton, one of our Naturetrek Group.  Scandinavia Air Services (SAS) were on strike so we had to stay an extra 5 days in the desolate old mining town of Longyearbyen.  We searched high and low for the Rock Ptarmigan but must have just missed it after Richard took his photo.  He agreed to be invited as a Guest Photographer to World Bird Photos so I have added his image to complete the collection for the area.  We heard that a local hotel there offers this bird on its menu!