Øygarden 13.12-19.12.2025 - Never too late

 A short week back home gave few opportunities to get out so same same on that score. However, even this late in the year new species were found for a number of localities.

On Saturday 13th I did my usual round at Herdlevær followed by quick visits to a number of other localities.

Herdlevær gave little other than a Red-throated Diver smålom, Rock Pipit skjæpiplerke, a Velvet Scoter sjøorre, a couple of Kittiwakes krykkje and the ever present White-tailed Eagles havørn.

A number of Whoopers sangsvane were at various locations with at least 5 adult and two first years, probably more. Two adults with two young flew north over Dåvøy - the first for this locality this year and later the same combination were seen at Alvheim.

Two Little Grebe dvergdykker fed at Dåvøy.

Little Grebes dvergdykker at Dåvøy

Female Teal krikkand on Husvatnet, Tjeldstø

Whoopers sangsvane heading north over Dåvøy

...and the same combination further north at Alvheim shortly afterwards

A Jackdaw kaie at Tjeldstø was the first there in 2025 and hung around at least a few days. Also a flock of over 30 Purple Sandpipers fjæreplytt, a Teal krikkand and seven Greylag grågås at this locality.

On Sunday I took a family walk at Skogsøy which resulted in very few birds indeed but very nice views of three Otters. A flock of 15 Greylags grågås and a lone Starling stær were at Breivik on my way there.

After this Hellesøy gave a distant Great Northern Diver islom and small flocks of Redwing rødvingetrost and Fieldfare gråtrost were seen here and there.

On Tuesday 16th December I only checked Tjeldstø very briefly, two Teal krikkand, the Jackdaw kaie and seven Greylag grågås still present along with some Whoopers sangsvane. 

Greylags grågås at Tjeldstø

In conjunction with a quite successful fishing trip in the evening I headed home in the dark where I heard the "duck" call of Eagle Owl hubro repeatedly before seeing one glide out of the woods to hunt:)

The next day a few drive-bys gave 12 Greylag grågås at Breivik and seven at Tjeldstø, several White-tailed Eagles havørn, a small flock of Fieldfare gråtrost and excellent views of a Little Grebe dvergdykker at Dåvøy.

Little Grebe dvergdykker at Dåvøy

On 18th December it was much the same story although a female Common Scoter svartand on Husvatnet was an unusual freshwater observation along with a lone Lapwing vipe on Rotevatnet.

Female Common Scoter svartand, Husvatnet, Tjeldstø (photographed 19.12.2025)