A short visit to the second best place in Norway:) The weather was in some ways not the best with low cloud and a fair bit of rain but it was mild and conditions were just fine at lower altitudes. In short I didn't check a number of my usual places higher up but put some effort in lower down instead.
The most noticeable difference from the usual autumn conditions were that there were no berries to be seen anywhere. Normally there are plenty here even well into the autumn to attract a bunch of exciting species which regularly turn up in the area. Maybe this means there will be more Waxwing sidensvans and Pine Grosbeaks konglebit on the move in the coming months.....
On 23rd there was only time for a walk up at Lisætra to Hyllsjøen after work. Generally rather quiet as anticipated but a few Siberian Jays lavskrike showed and a couple of Whoopers sangsvane on Hyllsjøen meant it was worth the effort.
Back down in the valley in was mostly business as usual with Dipper fossekall, a flock of Long-tailed Tits stjertmeis but at 17:35 a Swift made a couple of passes over the garden. The light was fading and it was foggy so no details were seen but it is tempting to believe that this could have been a very exciting species indeed - Pallid Swifts gråseiler were seen the next day on the west coast.....Win some, lose some:)
On Friday 24th I did a light version of what I consider my usual round in Engerdal. It was raining and time was short. Without doubt the best sighting was a female Smew lappfiskand at Isteren - a long awaited species for me in the area and the second new for me in the area this year:) Otherwise a nice flock of Goosander laksand at Drevsjø and flocks of Fieldfare gråtrost "everywhere".
A more thorough check of the usual localities on the morning of 25th produced at least 15 Scaup bergand at Galtsjøen (thankfully I had my scope with me) as well as Common Scoters svartand, Velvet Scoter sjøorre, several Wigeon brunnakke and the usual.
At Isteren the Smew lappfiskand remained along with various other wildfowl including several Tufted Duck toppand.
At Vurrusjøen a late Black-throated Diver storlom remained along with the Goosander laksand flock and several Wigeon brunnakke.
An afternoon walk at Heggeriset turned out really well, this area looks just SO promising but often fails to produce to my expectations. Not so this time! Barely out of the car a Pygmy Owl spurveugle caught my attention so I was happy before we even got going. The walk itself produced a nice Great Grey Shrike varsler, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker dvergspett, a flock of cuteness in the form of Long-tailed Tits stjertmeis and more.
The 26th was basically a repeat of the previous day. More Whoopers sangsvane at Galtsjøen - with lots of young ones - perhaps indicating good breeding success this year. A couple of Velvet Scoter sjøorre were still present too.
At Isteren I did not find the Smew, just Tufted Ducks toppand and the usual Dippers fossekall etc.
Sorken was next up but things were relatively quiet here, just a few Wigeon brunnakke, a nice flock of Redwing rødvingetrost and the usual.
At Vurrusjøen the Goosander laksand flock had increased to 29 and the Black-throated Diver storlom was still around.
All too soon it was time to leave again. A walk at Heggeriset on 27th gave Goldinches stillits, Dipper fossekall and the usual. In/from the garden bonus birds included Blackcap munk and a vocal Grey-headed Woodpecker gråspett.
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