With about a metre of snow and temperatures of down to -12 the contrast between the east and west of Norway could not have been bigger - apart from the paucity of species that is.
Despite putting in some time and effort it proved difficult to locate some of what I consider to be the winter regulars.
My first trip out proved quite promising with an Arctic Redpoll polarsisik at Drevsjø, not just my first for the area but also the first reported there ever.
together with Common Redpolls gråsisik and a Bullfinch dompap
Arctic Redpoll polarsisik - this bird really stood out from the accompanying Common Redpolls gråsisik not just in terms of plumage but also structure with a very small bill and "loose" plumage. A single thin stripe on the undertail coverts was present.
In the days that followed I managed to connect with Siberian Jay lavskrike a couple of times, a breif sighting of a Hazel Grouse jerpe, even briefer of Black Woodpecker svartspett, distant views of a Golden Eagle kongeørn and many of the usual suspects.
Siberian Jay lavskrike
Great-grey Shrike varsler
One of the species I had hoped for was Tengmalm's Owl perleugle - a species that is normally singing by now. I did hear of one that popped into a nestbox on 04 February but has not been seen since.
Roe Deer rådyr out on the completely frozen Engersjøen
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