In May 2005, I visited the Laerdal area of Norway in search of White backed Woodpecker. After considerable searching, I had excellent views of a pair above the small settlement of Fodnes. There is a trip report with detailed directions to the WB Woodpecker location on my website at http://www.stephenburch.com/trips/norway05/norway05.htm
Recently I was contacted by David Bradnum who visited the area on 16 August 2007. He described how he had prolonged close views of a pair of White-backed in exactly the place I described above Fodnes. He reported that my numbered directions were spot on, and that finding the birds 10-15 minutes along the lower, indistinct trail (exactly where I found them) was a bit "uncanny".
It may be that this is a reliable site for this elusive species? It does however require a reasonable walk up hill for about 1 hr from the nearest road.
Regards
Stephen
Nothing much to add here from me, other than a public 'thank-you' to Stephen for the directions, and a recommendation that anyone else looking for WB Woodpecker in Norway to try this site first - it really worked a treat for me, providing one of the birding highlights of my trip.
Thanks for taking the trouble to post- I'm a longtime WBW fan and my son is keen to go for musk-ox on Dovrefjell, so I see the makings of fine trip here.