Herdlevær 22 January 2014 - Winter birding warms up!

Fairly calm and verging on sunny at times.

The birds are obviously never far away - with the improved conditions there was plenty to see today.

Tundra Bean Geese sædgås at Breivik - short, small bills with restricted orange markings

The day was kick started with a flock of six Tundra Bean Goose (rossicus) sædgås at Breivik - though it seemed like they moved on as they were not present on my way home. These birds were probably the same as reported by a neighbour as flying over Tjeldstø yesterday afternoon. This find ties in nicely with sightings from elsewhere in Norway and the Shetlands.

Arctic Redpoll polarsisik. Very pale undersides with little streaking, no streaking on the undertail coverts

Unstreaked white rump reaching well up the back

Herdlevær was quite productive with the highlight being an apparent Arctic Redpoll polarsisik.

Purple Sandpiper fjæreplytt with a relatively long bill

"Coughing"....

...and out it comes! Not often one can capture waders regurgitating pellets 

A shorter-billed Purple Sandpiper fjæreplytt - very photogenic

Black Guillemot teist

Same bird with prey

...and with the red feet adding a splash of colour.

Common Crossbill grankorsnebb

One of three White-tailed Eagles havørn present

Plenty of other species here too including a flock of around 120 Mealy Redpoll gråsisik heading north. A (the?) Song Thrush måltrost put in an appearance and there was a decent showing of the usual suspects including Purple Sandpipers fjæreplytt, Black Guillemot teist and Snipe enkeltbekkasin.

Common Snipe enkeltbekkasin

Another Snipe enkeltbekkasin was at Skjold.