Sunday, April 06, 2025

Fusa and Herdla 01-02.04.2025 - Guiding

A drive-by at Tjeldstø on the way to pick up some birders from the USA produced the first Lesser Black-backed Gulls sildmåke of the year. Dunnock jernspurv turned up both here and over my terrace.

A male Stonechat svartstrupe near Røyrevatnet gives hope of more pairs of this species breeding locally.  I slowed down for a few seconds to obtain a couple of record shots...


Male Stonechat svartstrupe near Oen

In the afternoon it was time to do some guiding. Kalandsvatnet was the first stop - rather quiet here but a couple of Red-throated Diver smålom on the lake and a selection of early spring migrants were present. Two adult White-tailed Eagle havørn also showed up here.

Next stop was Vinnesleiren in Fusa. Here there was quite a bit to see including two Great Northern Diver islom, a Velvet Scoter sjøorre, two Marsh Tit løvmeis, a singing Willow Tit granmeis, a pair of Parrot Crossbill furukorsnebb and most of the usual suspects. The best thing though was a surprise meet up with my birding friend Jon:)

The following day we did Herdla as the first stop seeing over 50 species just here including a Bar-tailed Godwit småspove, a couple of Red-necked Grebe gråstrupedykker, Wheatear steinskvett, Chiff-chaff gransanger and a decent variety of wildfowl and waders. 

The observation tower at Herdla



Lapwing vipe at Herdla

Skylark sanglerke

Gullfjell was one of the localities visited after this. 21 Tufted Duck toppand, six Goosander laksand, three adult White-tailed Eagle havørn and more were seen here. Dipper fossekall were a no show for the first time but a pair of Grey Wagtail vintererle on the river near Arna were a welcome replacement.

Lots of Toads padde around at Gullfjell




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