Skogsøy 25-26 April 2026 - Let the games begin!

 A northerly gale on 25th wasn't the best forecast but I spent a few "late" hours at Skogsøy just because I could. The winds were just too strong and not surprisingly there was not a lot passing. 

Perhaps surprisingly several Hooded Crows kråke headed north west out to sea - why on earth they would choose to set out over the sea under such conditions is anybody's guess. Similarly it was surprising to see a White-tailed Eagle havørn heading north a long way out and low down over the waves.

Red throated Diver smålom N 19

Northern Gannet havsule N 14, S 3

Great Cormorant storskarv N 1

Eurasian Shag toppskarv N 8, S 5

Long tailed duck havelle N 5

Common Scoter svartand N 3

Merganser siland N 2

Common Gull fiskemåke N 5

Black-legged Kittiwake krykkje N 1

Common Guillemot lomvi N 5

Razorbill alke N 2

Gannets havsule battling into the gale force winds

Red-throated Divers smålom migrating in strong winds

I was back the following day under better conditions and there was somewhat more to see.

The morning started well in a frustrating way - the first birds I saw were a 2cy White-billed Diver gulnebblom side by side with a 2cy Great Northern Diver islom in decent photo range - nothing short of a dream photo. However, my up to this point trusty point and pray refused to start. After over half and hour of fiddling with it I finally managed to get it going but there is obviously something very wrong with it....

In an Øygarden context the best bird was a Short-eared Owl jordugle seen coming in off the sea from at least a couple of km out.

Red throated Diver smålom N 82

Great Northern Diver islom N 1 (2cy)

White Billed Diver gulnebblom N 2 (1ad, 1 2cy)

Northern Gannet havsule N 25,  S 2

Great Cormorant storskarv N 17, S 1

Eurasian Shag toppskarv N 62, S 36

Barnacle Goose hvitkinngås N 41

Eider aærfugl N 2

Long tailed duck havelle N 7

Common Scoter svartand N 3

Merganser siland N 8

Oystercatcher tjeld N 36, S 4

Whimbrel småspove N 4

Black headed Gull hettemåke N 1

Common Gull fiskemåke N 80

Razorbill alke N 12

Black Guillemot teist N 2

Atlantic Puffin lunde N 1

Auk N 16

Gannet havsule

Not a bad result from the point and pray:)

Oystercatcher tjeld

Red-throated Diver smålom

Shag toppskarv

In the evening a roding Woodcock rugde from my terrace was nice to see.