Sunday, November 20, 2022

Hernar 14 November 2022 - Last chance saloon

Perfect conditions for a day on Hernar. The season is drawing to a close - largely due to shortening daylight hours and boat timetables rather than lack of birds.

 This was probably my last chance to visit the island this year so I went all in for a full day trip - no lunchtime return on a Monday:)

The short drive to Hellesøy just heightened the sende of anticipation with lots of thrushes and other burde flying up from the velges.

Eating breakfast and having a coffee whilst waiting for it to be light enough to bird I heard three Water Rails vannrikse. There was a fair bit of activity early on with various finches including Brambling bjørkefink, Redpolls gråsisik and Parrot crossbills furukorsnebb about.




Rough-legged Buzzard fjellvåk - the first record for Hernar and a rare bird in Øygarden

A variety of locally interesting sightings and several new species for the island this year were seen including Merlin dvergfalk, Little Auk alkekonge, Mistle Thrush duetrost, Woodcock rugde, and Kittiwake krykkje.

Velvet Scoter sjøorre were seen both migrating and on the sea.

Cormorant storskarv

The boat ride back to Hellesøy gave another Little Auk alkekonge, a few flocks of Common Scoter svartand, more Red- throated Diver smålom, several more Black Guillemots teist and a flock of 20 Purple Sandpiper fjæreplytt among other things.


Common Scoter svartand

Little Auk alkekonge

Purple Sandpipers fjæreplytt


My new camera coped with most situations quite well but obviously not as quick ad my usual set-up.

All in all a great day out with over 45 species seen. 


Picked sweet peas, baby leaf spinach, celery and more in my garden when I returned home. Not bad for mid November in Norway.

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