Sunday, October 02, 2022

Engerdal 09-15 September 2022 - Back in the wilderness

 Almost a week in one of my favourite parts of Norway.

Having not visited since February it was high time to catch up on what was going on in Engerdal. Arriving in the evening of 09 September I managed a quick walk in the fast fading light. A couple of Chiff-chaff gransanger, several Meadow Pipit heipiplerke and a few Reed Bunting sivspurv were pretty much all I managed.

Meadow Pipir heipiplerke

The following morning I did my usual Engerdal round picking up Goshawk hønsehauk and Dipper fossekall at Heggeriset. Galten gave much more including Osprey fiskeøn, Black-throated Diver storlom, Slavonian Grebes horndykker, a Ringed Plover sandlo and more. Best bird was a Great Grey Shrike varsler at Drevsjø, where Yellow Wagtail gulerle, Osprey fiskeørn, Kestrel tårnfalk and more also put in an appearance.

Black-throated Diver storlom

Goosander laksand

Reed Bunting sivspurv

Red Squirrel ekorn

White Wagtail linerle eating seeds at the bird feeder

In the afternoon Lisetra gave up a well-fed Peregrine vandrefalk.

On 11 September I gave Svarthammaren a go, walking as far as Blakksjøen. Hunters were commoner than birds but I still managed several Ptarmigan fjellrype, a Kestrel tårnfalk, Wheatear steinskvett and plenty more besides - including a nice flock of Teal krikkand that hunters and their dogs thankfully walked right past without noticing.

Common Buzzard musvåk

White wagtail linerle

The next couple of days work kept me chained to the computer but still hear Black Woodpecker svartspett and saw a Common Buzzard musvåk fly over the house.


Common Buzzard musvåke

WhiteWagtail linerle

Beaver bever



Red squirrel ekorn

Another Great Grey Shrike varsler at Sølenstua on 14 September was the best bid that day. Also rans included Osprey fiskeørn, Slav Grebe horndykker, Black-throated Diver storlom, Merlin dvergfalk and several Snipe enkeltbekkassin.

Great Grey Shrike varsler

It was time to leave on 15 September but a couple more Goshawk hønsehauk, probable Gyr Falcon jaktfalk and another Merlin dvergfalk were among the species seen.

Goshawk hønsehauk hunting ducks at Vurrusjøen

A stopover in Hamar on the way back to Oslo gave some good birds too despite minimal time out and about. Around 200 Ruff brushane, a Bar-headed Goose stripegås and a couple of Shelduck gravand were the best birds here.


Shelduck gravand at Hamar


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