White-tailed eagle
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If you look up, you might be lucky enough to spot the white-tailed eagle, the largest breeding bird of prey in Northern Europe. Here in the Trondheimsleia strait, it has found its paradise, with steep cliffs, open seas, and an abundance of fish. With a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters, it is a majestic sight as it glides effortlessly over islands, skerries, reefs, and boats. After being nearly extinct in Norway during the 20th century, the white-tailed eagle has made a spectacular comeback. The islands around Hitra, Smøla, and Frøya now host some of the largest breeding populations in all of Europe. In earlier times, it was seen as an omen—sometimes good, sometimes bad—and it features often in legends and seafarers’ tales. Today, it stands as a symbol of freedom, survival, and the wild spirit of the coast. Perhaps you’ll see the eagle circling above the boat right now, scanning for prey—or simply asserting its role as the true king of the coast.