Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Hernar 14 August 2018 - RB Fly!

Calm and sunny.

Managed a quick look at Hernar before work but didn't even do the full "short round" before it was time to leave.



Red-breasted Flycatcher dvergfalk


The island was alive with birds, largely the usual suspects but with a few additions. Of over 40 species seen by far the highlight was a Red-breasted Flycatcher dverfluesnapper - a rather unusual time to see one - being about a month earlier than they would "normally" occur.

Merlin dvergfalk

Other migrants included a Spotted Flycatcher gråfluesnapper, a Merlin dvergfalk, several Brambling bjørkefink (again rather early but I've been seeing them for a few weeks already)  and a selection of waders including Bar-tailed Godwit lappspove.

Most of the House Sparrows gråspurv

In a Hernar context an incredible sighting were seven House Sparrows gråspurv - the biggest flock I have ever seen on the island and, given that they were young birds, may well have bred on the island.



Recently fledged Lesser Redpoll brunsisik


Meadow Pipit heipiplerke

Around 30 Twite bergirisk, a couple of Sedge Warbler sivsanger, 200 Starling stær and several Wheatear steinskvett were among the other species seen.


Curlew storspove - illustrating at least one of the golden rules of photography - if the wing tip is missing the rest of the bird will be in perfect focus.

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