Maria and Dvalin 11-13 August 2021 - Northern Norwegian sector first?

Unusually calm conditions weather-wise for this area.

On the evening of 11 August a flock of 18 Turnstone steinvender flew around the vessel at Maria a few times before continuing south. The only other migrant was a first year Arctic Tern rødnebbterne which spent a couple of days using the vessel as a resting place in between foraging trips.

Other than that just small numbers of Gannet havsule, Fulmar havhest, Kittiwake krykkje and GBBG svartbak.

First year Arctic Tern rødnebbterne - no doubt on its way south from wherever it was raised

We then moved further north to Dvalin on 13 August where a Turtle Dove turteldue put in an appearance. It was very shy and performed circuits of the vessel whenever disturbed. I waited in the right place and caught it as it came in for landing on the helideck. According the the national recording system this is the first record of this species for the northern Norwegian sector. I have, however, seen this species even further north of the Shtokman field in the Russian sector of the Barent's Sea.

A probable Fin whale passed here too - but I did not have my camera with me at its closest point of approach. A single Puffin lunde and a small flock of Guillemots lomvi were the only other sightings over and above the usual.

Turtle Dove turteldue at Dvalin

This shot illustrates the undertail pattern well - showing the difference between European and Oriental Turtle Doves (ref Dutch Birding article)

What I think is a Fin Whale

Guillemots lomvi

Puffin lunde