Friday, May 15, 2009

Hernar 15 May 2009 - Icterine Warbler

Hernar must be the best place to see Twite bergirisk in Øygarden
Wheatear steinskvett

Record shot of Icterine Warbler gulsanger


Blackcap munk

In what most people would call fantastic weather Hernar showed some of its potential. In blazing sunshine and light winds (not the best of weather to ground migrants!) there were generally few birds about, just a few Willow Warbler løvsanger, a Chiff-chaff gransanger and a couple of Blackcap munk. However, in among all the common stuff the best bird was an Icterine Warbler gulsanger - the first I have seen in Øygarden (excessive seawatching during May rather than inherent rarity must take the blame for it taking so long...). A female Redstart rødstjert was another bonus species and a House Martin taksvale was the first I've seen locally this year(?!)

A Sedge Warbler sivsanger sang most of the day from the one area of suitable habitat for this species and Common Whitethroat tornsanger were everywhere. Loads of Twite bergirisk and Wheatear steinskvett about.

Whilst waiting for the boat at Hellesøy a Cuckoo gjøk was the first I've heard this spring.

Back at Tjeldstø four Tufted Duck toppand, a Kestrel tårnfalk and a flock of nine second year Black-headed Gull hettemåke were of interest and a Redshank rødstilk nest contained four eggs.

2 comments:

Alan Tilmouth said...

Jules, Id be most grateful if you could return the Iccy, It's obviously the one that JGS and I were meant to find on the Ash Lagoon Bank tonight after heavy rain. Once returned I promise to forward the Garden Warbler that was left in it's place.

Jules said...

Say hi to Jimmy (or Jammy as I prefer to call him) for me. And ask him if he has caught up with Hawfinch yet at Newbiggin. He was deeply envious of the one I had in my garden there.