Øygarden 11-12 March 2023 - Winter

After a long spell of mild weather and springlike conditions I returned to full-on winter. Starlings stær, Oystercatcher tjeld, Skylark sanglerke and more still around but must be finding it hard to survive. A Woodpigeon ringdue at Oen was probably a new arrival since last time I was home.

Two of six Skylark sanglerke present at Breivik for several days

Snipe enkeltbekkasin and Woodcock rugde obvious (including tracks of the latter less than 1m from my bedroom window). 

Snipe enkeltbekkasin at Tjeldstø

Snipe enkeltbekkasin at Tjeldstø

Only one late and lazy trip out to Hjelme Vest on 12 March where most of the usual suspects were seen including 100's of Oystercatcher tjeld - many resting on the islands and more heading north. Also 25 Purple Sandpiper fjæreplytt, a Great Northern Diver islom, Black Guillemot teist etc etc. Great Black-backed Gulls svartbak now back on the islands and doing their best to chase off the White-tailed Eagles havørn.

In the garden the Blackbirds svarttrost have returned now that there is snow cover again along with a Lesser Redpoll brunsisik at the feeder along with the usual Greenfinches grønnfink, Robin rødstrupe etc.

Lesser Redpoll brunsisik in the garden