Øygarden 02.09-15.09.2025 - Family time

With my mum visiting from the UK there was something of a reunion and I also ended up looking after a non-birding dog:) So, rather predictably, not much in the way of time in the field. Good migration conditions for most of the period and we did manage some short walks, drive-bys and of course my terrace provided for much of the interest.

Butterflies came into my garden in good numbers with up to 10 Red Admiral and a Painted Lady visiting simultaneously.

Jays nøtteskrike typically became more obvious with several sightings during the period, waders were moving through, increased numbers of Great-spotted Woodpecker flaggspett, a Willow Tit granmeis and Coal Tits svartmeis seem to be on the move - perhaps indications of something bigger going on.

I arrived back in Øygarden on the afternoon of 2nd September to find a small flock of Golden Plover heilo at Breivik.

Golden Plover heilo at Breivik

On 6th September things started to get frustrating with obvious migration seen from the terrace, including a flock of nine Common Crossbill grankorsnebb, Sparrowhawks spurvehauk, a Greenshank gluttsnipe and more seen.

An afternoon stroll at Tjeldstø the next day was more of the same with a Spotted Redshank sotsnipe dropping in briefly, a few Kestrels tårnfalk, flocks of Golden Plover heilo, Common Gulls fiskemåke and more heading south.

Stonechats svartstrupe and a couple of Whinchat buskskvett were the best sightings on 11th September but again visible migration was obvious with Golden Plover heilo and Kestrels tårnfalk passing.

Some rain on 12th September had an immediate effect with more Ruff brushane grounded. From the terrace Greenshank gluttsnipe, Peregrine vandrefalk , White-tailed Eagles havørn and more.

Ruff brushane at Breivik

Whinchat buskskvett at Kollsnes

Otter photographed from my terrace

White-tailed Eagles havørn from the terrace

On 13th September I managed to do my Herdlevær walk which produced two Merlin dvergfalk, good numbers of Golden Plover heilo and a few Stonechat svartstrupe before I even got there. The walk itself produced a Lapland Bunting lappspurv, small flocks of Teal krikkand and Wigeon brunnakke, a Lapwing vipe and small numbers of the usual waders.

Stonechats svartstrupe at Kollsnes

Teal krikkand, Dunlin myrsnipe and a Rock Pipit skjærpiplerke at Herdlevær

Sunday 14th September was another productive day, the morning walk with the dog produced Willow Tit granmeis, Ruff brushane, Ringed Plover sandlo and more at Tjeldstø and a roadside Grey Wagtail vinterlerle on the way home.

A Collared Dove tyrkedue and a Chiff-chaff gransanger turned up in the garden and a walk at Sæle produced a nice selection of birds including Blackcaps munk, a Treecreeper trekryper, Chiff-chaff gransanger and more.

Collared Dove tyrkedue in the garden

Grey Wagtail vinterle near Nautnes - the first I have seen locally this year

Treecreeper trekryper at Sæle - the first I have seen in Øygarden this year!

On 15th we drove past a few places on the way to the airport. Very much the usual suspects with White-tailed Eagles havørn and more Stonechats svartstrupe seen.

A rather late Lapwing vipe - probably the same bird seen at Herdlevær a couple of days previously

More Stonechats svartstrupe