Øygarden 09 October 2007

Very pale Lesser Whitethroat møller - possibly of the eastern (Asian) form minula

Jay nøtteskrike at Hjelme - only lone individuals now being seen

The first Little Grebe dvergdykker of the autumn at Sæle today

The Blue Tit blåmeis invasion continues....

Part of a flock of 60+ Fieldfare gråtrost on their way south

Yet another wonderful day in glorious weather. The number of migrants around continues to drop - migrating is no problem with clear skies and light winds!

Started the day at Herdlevær where the Yellow-browed Warbler gulbrynsanger remains. Today, however, this may not have been the best bird - a Lesser Whitethroat møller which seemed to me to be of the eastern form minula was present in juniper scrub to the north of "village". Other birds of note included a Jack Snipe kvartbekkasin and a late Willow Warbler løvsanger.

Migrants included some largish flocks of Fieldfare gråtrost heading south and Common Crossbills grankorsnebb heading north.

Sæle was much quieter with the best bird here being an early Little Grebe dvergdykker. A female Blackcap munk feeding on elderberries and a small flock of Long-tailed Tit stjertmeis were also present.

At Hjelme a Jay nøtteskrike and a Nuthatch spettmeis were possibly the last of the recent irruption - lingering on in one of the few suitable habitats for these species in Øygarden. However, there are still huge flocks of Blue Tit blåmeis on the move - the largest flock today contained at least 50 birds!