Øygarden 15.07 -19.07.2024 - Otters

 The record breaking period of not birding continued.

From the house indications of gull movement with recently fledged birds were apparent with a first year Black-headed Gull hettemåke feeding with Common Gulls fiskemåke on 15.07.

Common Terns makrellterne seem to have had a better year than many previous years with fledged birds following their parents around seen in a few places. At least two Tufted Duck toppand remained on Husvatnet leading to suspicions of breeding but no young were seen. Starlings stær starting to form larger flocks now with up to 50 in a flock.

Young Wheatear steinskvett at Kollsnes on 15.07

On 16.07 a mother Otter with two young spent time feeding outside my house - typically harder to see in summer than at other times of year this is the first sighting for some time.

Common Sandpiper strandsnipe on the shore in front of my house

On 18.07 a first year Black Guillemot teist turned up on the sea in front of my terrace.

Black Guillemot teist

Newly cut grass at Breivik on 19.07 produced around 200 Common Gulls fiskemåke and a lone adult Black-headed Gull hettemåke feeding in the area.

Adult Black-headed Gull hettemåke

One first year Common Gull fiskemåke joined this flock of feeding and resting birds

Just a small number of the gulls present in freshly cut fields

Adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls sildemåke at Kollsnes