Wildlife at Forest Ranger Farm

The forest around our farm is not a zoo. The animals here are wild, wide-ranging, and often shy. But if you are quiet, patient, and a little lucky, you will see signs of them everywhere — tracks in the snow, droppings on the path, or a moose moving through the trees at dawn.

Moose are the most common large mammal. They are often seen in the early morning or at dusk, especially near the forest edge and along the road. Reindeer also move through the area, since Drevsjø sits in the middle of reindeer land. In winter, their tracks crisscross the snow in places where the forest opens up.

The larger predators are here too, but they keep their distance. Bears pass through in spring and summer, wolves occasionally move along the edges of the territory, and wolverines leave their distinctive tracks in the high country. The lynx is one of the most elusive — a compact, tufted-eared cat that hunts in the forest and is rarely seen in daylight. It is extremely human-shy, which makes every confirmed sighting special.

Smaller animals are easier to spot. Red foxes move through the pine forest and the farm courtyard. Mountain hares leave their trails across the snow. Squirrels are active year-round, and the birds include golden eagles, northern hawk owls, sparrowhawks, and house martins.

The best approach is to treat every walk as a chance to notice. Bring binoculars, move quietly, and avoid the middle of the day when the forest is still. Dawn and dusk are when the larger animals are most active. Even if you do not see a lynx or a bear, the tracks and the silence are enough to remind you that you are sharing the landscape with them.

You can read more about the species in the area on our wildlife page.