Øygarden 24-28 November 2021 - Almost the week that wasn't

 Largely nice calm weather but work had me confined to my desk with the exception of 28 November.

Being at home meant it was mostly just the usual garden stuff - a few White-tailed Eagles havørn, singles of Sparrowhawk spurvehauk a few times, Otter and so on. In addition there were small movements of Brambling bjørkefink and Siskin grønnsisik (up to 50 of the former and 30 of the latter).

Otter in my "garden"

Always interesting to see the way the water moves when they dive:)

A Long-tailed Duck havelle on Husvatnet on 25 November was a relatively uncommon freshwater occurrence of this otherwise common species.

Long-tailed Duck havelle on Husvatnet

Five minutes at Alvheim on 26 November showed birds reacting to the freezing temperatures and light snow with a light movement of Greylags grågås and Redwing rødvingetrost.

On 28 November I didn't work and went to Skogsøy instead in the lovely weather. Flocks of various finches included Brambling bjørkefink, Siskin grønnsisik, Redpoll gråsisik and Common Crossbill grankorsnebb.

Generally quiet on the sea but a Red-throated Diver smålom and a Razorbill alke were seen before I even parked the car. At least two White-tailed Eagle havørn were seen on the walk out to the lookout point with one passing at point blank range and dropping a Lumpsucker rongkjeks in the sea and the next one flying in and picking it up. A 40 minute seawatch out at the lookout produced little on the move other than a few auks and five Kittiwake krykkje. However, a Peregrine vandrefalk flew from it's vantage point, heading straight out to sea a few kilometres whilst gaining height before stooping to catch a Little Auk alkekonge which it returned to land with. At that range I could just about see passing white dots even in the scope - the falcon seemed to spot the auk at immense range - truly remarkable.

More Greylags grågås headed south on my way home - no doubt escaping colder conditions futher north. 

Second year White-tailed Eagle havørn with lumpsucker rognkjeks

This fish was just as likely stolen from an Otter....

Common Crossbill grankorsnebb

Part of a flock of Greylags grågås fleeing the cold

A total of 10 Whoopers sangsvane sat on the ice on Rotevatnet - the highest count of the autumn thus far.

Late on 28 the northern lights put on quite a show from my terrace. As usual I had forgotten the settings to use on my camera, couldn't find my small lens, no tripod etc etc. One day I really will buy a landscape lens and do this stuff right:)