Øygarden Birding

Øygarden 13 May 2008

2008-05-13T21:38:00.005+02:00

"Northern" Golden Plover heilo
Heron hegre with eel
Sand Martin sandsvale
Heron hegre
Record shot of Black-tailed Godwit svarthalespove

Started the day off with nice views of some "northern" Golden Plover heilo feeding by the roadside at Kollsnes. One of these birds seemed to have rather a lot of black on its underparts extending onto (although not covering) the undertail coverts.

At Tjeldstø the best bird was an islandica Black-tailed Godwit svarthalespove, a regular visitor in small numbers at this time of year. A rarer bird at Tjeldstø, though not as exciting were three Jackdaw kaie flying over.

Other stuff inlcuded a couple of Sand Martin sandsvale, a Heron hegre catching an eel and a flock of 40 Common Scoter svartand heading north up the fjord. Two Whimbrel småspove rested beside Husvatnet in the afternoon - this is a species that is very common on migration up the west coast of Øygarden but rarely strays onto the east side for some reason.

Skogsøy 12 May 2008 - Divers!

2008-05-12T21:51:00.003+02:00

White-billed Diver gulnebblom
Black-throated Diver storlom
Grey Heron hegre

A good day of diver migration was enjoyed by several birders today. Highlights were 214 Red-throated Diver smålom, two Great Northern Diver islom, two White-billed Diver gulnebblom and at least one Black-throated Diver storlom.

Other birds of note included three Arctic Skua tyvjo, a couple of Peregrines vandrefalk and a Carrion Crow svartkråke.

Small numbers of Barnacle Geese hvitkinngås also passed.

Tjeldstø 11 May 2008

2008-05-11T19:45:00.002+02:00

Common Tern makrellterne
White Wagtail linerle

The day started off foggy but cleared up mid-morning. A few good birds today including a second year Iceland Gull grønlandsmåke heading north up the fjord and a flock of 40 Barnacle Geese hvitkinngås also heading north. A Dunlin myrsnipe flew over together with a couple of Ringed Plover sandlo.

Otherwise 30+ "commic" terns out over the fjord. Small numbers of Arctic Tern rødnebbterne and a few Common Tern makrellterne also around.

Skogsøy 10 May 2008 Little Auks

2008-05-10T15:51:00.005+02:00

Common Gull fiskemåke in the fog
Gannet havsule entangled in rope
Redpoll brunsisik - one of the commonest species in the woods at Skogsøy

There were high hopes today - but a combination of sea fog and southerly winds meant it was quieter than hoped for. However, it was not a total failure with a White-billed Diver gulnebblom, a Black-throated Diver storlom and (for the time of year) an exceptional 22 Little Auk alkekonge heading north.

Six Arctic Tern rødnebbterne and a single dark phase Arctic Skua tyvjo were both firsts for the year at Skogsøy. A very late date for the first skua....

Other stuff inlcued small numbers of the other auks, several Fulmar havhest, a few Kittiwake krykkje and over 20 Whimbrel småspove.

A paur of Twite bergirisk gathering nesting material and a hunting Peregrine vandrefalk were other highlights.

Skogsøy 09 May 2008

2008-05-09T19:52:00.003+02:00

White-billed Diver gulnebblom
White-tailed Eagle havørn with Garfish hornhjel
Migrating Tufted Ducks toppand
Oystercatchers tjeld

Did a short and late seawatch - highlights were three White-billed Diver gulnebblom heading north, 79 Red-throated Diver smålom and a flock of 19 Whimbrel småspove.

A shoal of garfish hornhjel attracted a flock of gulls and an immature White-tailed Eagle havørn which managed to snatch one.

The only other birds of interest were a pair of Twite bergirisk - a species rapidly vanishing from the coast.

Tjeldstø 08 May - Arctic Terns arrived

2008-05-09T19:48:00.004+02:00

Dotterel boltit in Gullfjell, unfortunately not in Øygarden - but just about visible from it...

Spent most of the day out of Øygarden but two Arctic Tern rødnebbterne over the house in the evening were the first of the year.

Took a hike on my old patch Gullfjell where highlight was a flock of four Dotterel boltit in addition to the usual Rough-legged Buzzards fjellvåk, Ring Ousel ringtrost etc.

Tjeldstø 07 May 2008 - Peregrines

2008-05-07T21:51:00.003+02:00

Peregrines vandrefalk hunting Common Gulls fiskemåke

Not birding much today, took advantage of heavy fog to get some domestic stuff out of the way. However, it cleared up nicely and the noise of terrified gulls over the garden had me rushing outside with the camera as it generally means only one thing - raptors. This time it was two Peregrine vandrefalk on the prowl. An adult and a juvenile by the looks of things....

Other highlights included the first singing Cuckoo gjøk of the year at Tjeldstø (the first for Øygarden was seen several days ago), the first Common Whitethroat tornsanger (the first for Øygarden was reported from Hellesøy on 4th May) and a singing Lesser Whitethroat møller back at its "usual" spot.

The first of the Lapwing vipe chicks hatched today.

Skogsøy 06 May 2008

2008-05-06T22:09:00.004+02:00

Redwing rødvingtrost coughing up a pellet
Willow Warbler løvsanger
Male Stonechat svartstrupe
Porpoise nise
Two White-billed Diver gulnebblom

Female Linnet tornirisk

Virtually no wind and clear skies meant that it got to hot for the first time this year.....

Typically for the conditions there was not a lot passing, although there was some stuff of interest including two White-billed Divers gulnebblom together, 75 Red-throated Diver smålom, 45 Whimbrel småspove and, perhaps most unusually a small party of Little Auk alkekonge which flew in and landed on the sea.

LOADS of porpoises about today - easy to spot them with the mirror-like seas.

Finally got around to going to see the much photographed Stonechat svartsrupe pair....

Tjeldstø 05 May 2008

2008-05-05T18:54:00.003+02:00

Heavily cropped record shots of a Spotted Redshank sotsnipe

Meadow Pipit heipiplerke

Barely even out of the house, just the briefest of strolls to Husvatnet. A fine summer plumaged Spotted Redshank sotsnipe was the star bird - a very unusual spring observation for these parts. Loads of Common Redshank rødstilk being very vocal.

Tjeldstø 04 May 2008

2008-05-04T22:41:00.004+02:00

Turnstone steinvender beside Husvatnet
Lapwing vipe

A surprise find were three Ruddy Turnstone steinvender beside Husvatnet - a rare freshwater occurrence for this species in Øygarden.

Wheatear steinskvett everywhere now, a couple of Twite bergirisk, the first Oystercatcher tjeld egg and a Great Blacked Backed Gull svartbak nest with two eggs and all the usual species obviously well on the way to nesting - Redshanks rødstilk and Common Snipes enkeltbekkasin went up from nest sites both in and out of the reserve - including in an area earmarked for development....

Skogsøy 03 May 2008

2008-05-04T22:29:00.004+02:00

Part of a flock of Barnacle Geese hvitkingås
Raven ravn
White-tailed Eagle havørn

It was positively crowded at the lookout today with a massive four birders hoping for some diver migration - something that failed to materialise for some reason. Fog further south and southerly winds meant that conditions were never going to be ideal...

A mere 20 Red-throated Diver smålom passed, along with small numbers of all five auk species (getting late for Little Auk alkekonge), over 30 Velvet Scoter sjørre, some Tufted Duck toppand and the usual southbound movement of Shags toppskarv.

The best bird of the day (and a new species at Skogsøy for me) was a male Gargany knekkand along with a probable female heading north with a small flock of Teal krikkand. Other highlights included a flock of 25 Barnacle Geese hvitkingås, a few Sand Martin sandsvale, a Peregrine vandrefalk and several Whimbrel småspove.

There was no sign of the recently reported Stonechat svartstrupe pair near Kollsnes.

The first House Martin taksvale for Tjeldstø this year turned up in the evening along with a few more Sand Martin sandsvale. Another new species to arrive was a Sedge Warbler sivsanger - singing at the usual spot near Breivik.

Tjeldstø 24 April 2008

2008-05-04T22:08:00.006+02:00

Greylags grågås fleeing from the eagles......as usual
Tree Sparrow pilfink fresh from a bath in Husvatnet

A short stroll in the evening produced a nice flock of 20 Golden Plover heilo in the reserve. Otherwise just the usual Tree Sparrows pilfink and more returning migrants.

Øygarden 20 April - Egyptian Goose!!

2008-04-20T20:35:00.005+02:00

The first Egyptian Goose niland for Øygarden (and Hordaland)

(Click on picture for larger image)

Flight shot - the bird had some feathers missing from its left wing....

By Øygarden standards this was a full on "twitch" with several birders driving out from Bergen...

I was otherwise engaged when a message came in about an Egyptian Goose niland at Kollsnes. Needless to say I was on my way to see this first for Hordaland in no time, despite it only being a category C species. With it was a Canada Goose kanadagås - a far from common species in Øygarden.

Canada Goose kanadagås - a local rarity in Øygarden, despite good numbers nearby.

Other stuff seen at Kollsnes included a flock of seven Golden Plover heilo - the first in Øygarden this year, a Wheatear steinskvett or two, Skylark sanglerke singing and plenty more.

A Kestrel tårnfalk - the first at Tjeldstø this year flew over my house in the afternoon whilst a Merlin dvergfalk was reported from further north at Tjeldstø earlier in the day.

Øygarden 19 April 2008

2008-04-20T00:08:00.004+02:00

Peregrine vandrefalk at Tjeldstø
Dawn at Skogsøy parking lot...

Cormorant storskarv
Greylag grågås

A seawatching session at Skogsøy produced over 1000 birds on the move. However, nothing of special interst - just the usual for the time of year including 32 Red-throated Diver smålom, 160 Common Scoter svartand and 36 Puffin lunde.

At Tjeldstø a short evening stroll produced the first Redshank rødstilk and Wigeon brunnakke of the year and a nice Peregrine vandrefalk flew over.

Tjeldstø 17 April 2008 - The first Swallow

2008-04-17T15:17:00.002+02:00

White wagtail linerle
Male Goldeneye kvinand and Tufted Duck toppand

Just a quick stroll in glorious weather produced most of the usual stuff including at least three White-tailed Eagle havørn. Suprise bird was the earliest Swallow låvsvale I have ever seen in Øygarden.

Tjeldstø 15 April 2008 - Shelduck

2008-04-16T00:49:00.005+02:00

Northern Mockingbird sangspottefugl - unfortunately this picture was taken in Mobile, Alabama and NOT in Øygarden......

Returned home from a short (work) trip around the Gulf States in the USA late on 13th April.

No time out and about whatsoever since then but couldn't help noticing some of the new arrivals since I was last in Øygarden - including Northern Wheatear steinskvett and Linnet tornirisk.

A pair of Shelduck gravand fed along the shore in front of the house this evening - this is a not quite annual species at Tjeldstø.

Skogsøy 02 April 2008

2008-04-02T23:32:00.005+02:00

First the daily White-tailed Eagle havørn picture....

Then some atmospheric (read hopelessly underexposed) shots.....

White-tailed Eagle havørn
Raven ravn
Shag toppskarv with fish
Cormorant storskarv with flatfish
....and a heavily cropped record shot of the Great Northern Diver islom

Mild and pleasant weather with little wind. However, low cloud and a hint of rain meant it was rather dull. Light passage of the usual suspects today including Greylags grågås, Common Gulls fiskemåke, Curlew storpove and a Red-throated Diver smålom.

A Great Northern Diver islom on the sea and the first Lesser Black-backed Gull sildemåke were the highlights.

Passerines included a Pied Wagtail svartryggerle, the first Hedge Accentor jernspurv of the year and fly over Snow Buntings snøspurv.

Two White-tailed Eagles havørn appeared to go after an otter.

Tjeldstø 01 April 2008 - Pied Wagtail

2008-04-01T19:02:00.005+02:00

Male Pied Wagtail svartryggerle

One of the many Fieldfare gråtrost about

Despite the rather dull and wet conditions and the short time actually spent out of the house (barely even a "drive by")it was a reasonably productive day. More thrushes in today with up to 80 Fieldfare gråtrost in the fields along with smaller numbers of Redwing rødvingtrost. Chaffinch bokfink numbers also increased greatly overnight.

Best bird was a male Pied Wagtail svartryggerle feeding around one of the barns.

The briefest of checks at Solberg produced a flock of around 20 Purple Sandpipers fjæreplytt and only four Long-tailed Duck havelle.

Tjeldstø 31 March 2008

2008-03-31T20:47:00.004+02:00

Immature Whooper Swan sangsvane - the last remaining bird at Tjeldstø

Greylags grågås

Obligatory underexposed White-tailed Eagle havørn shot

Record shot of a male Pied Wagtail svartryggerle

An obvious arrival of Fieldfare gråtrost and Redwing rødvingtrost today at Tjeldstø with around 40 and 20 present respectively. Otherwise three alba wagtails comprised a male and a female Pied Wagtail svartryggerle and the first White Wagtail linerle of the year.

A flock of 35 Woodpigeon ringdue, several Meadow Pipits heipiplerke and a pair of Teal krikkand were also probably newly arriving birds. Two Brambling bjørkefink joined the growing flock of Chaffinches bokfink and a couple of Yellowhammer gulspurv in the garden - 2kg of sunflower seeds are being consumed daily now.....

Tjeldstø 29 March 2008 - thaw

2008-03-29T21:31:00.002+01:00

Greylags grågås
Lapwing vipe

Southerly winds and rain during the night melted most of the snow and brought in a load of new arrivals. The fields were full of newly arrived Blackbirds svarttrost and small flocks of Redwing rødvingtrost and Fieldfare gråtrost. A large increase in the number of Lapwing vipe was also noted with at least 35 present.

Two or three Yellowhammer gulspurv around (first seen yesterday afternoon) - this species is just about annual during the spring migration at Tjeldstø.

Øygarden 27 March 2008 - Guiding

2008-03-28T12:07:00.003+01:00

Grey-headed Woodpecker gråspett
Red-necked Grebes gråstrupedykker

Spent the day guiding and even though it snowed for much of the afternoon we still managed some good observations. Highlights were a couple of Red-necked Grebe gråstrupedykker at Herdlevær together with Velvet Scoter sjøorre, Common Scoter svartand and all the usual species.

Other sightings included an Otter oter, several White-tailed Eagle havørn, Black Guillemot teist and Gannets havsule.

The best sighting from my point of view was a Grey-headed Woodpecker gråspett which appeared from nowhere out of the snow.

The day was rounded off with two Eagle Owls hubro seen and heard.

Øygarden 26 March 2008

2008-03-28T12:01:00.002+01:00

Iceland Gull grønlandsmåke, Tjeldstø
The first small tortoiseshell of the year.

Eagle Owl hubro - next time I'll use a tripod!

Spent the day out of Øygarden but the 2K Iceland Gull grønlandsmåke flew over N. Straumsundet bridge on my way home.

Eagle Owls hubro active again in the calm and clear weather.

Skogsøy 25 March 2008

2008-03-26T00:57:00.002+01:00

Coal Tit svartmeis - a common species in the woods at Skogsøy
Typical view of Wren gjerdesmett

Raven ravn - busy nest building today

The day started with snow falling and poor visibility but cleared up nicely after 08:00. This low cloud had obviously prevented migration up the coast - as soon as it cleared stuff started moving.

By far the best bird was the first White-billed Diver gulnebblom of the spring. Two Red-throated Diver smålom, Puffins lunde, and a light nothbound passage of Gannets havsule and Kittiwake krykkje were also noted.

At least six White-tailed Eagle havørn circled the area.

Elswhere in Øygarden a long suspected site gave one of the best Eagle Owl hubro experiences I've ever had with a bird singing in full view in the telescope for almost 20 minutes! Woodcock rugde roding in the same area.

Tjeldstø 24 March 2008 - Garden birds

2008-03-24T16:10:00.004+01:00

Adult White-tailed Eagle havørn

Female Blackbird svarttrost
Woodpigeon ringdue

Making the most of the fantastic weather with the family. However, this is not quite the same as not birding - an adult White-tailed Eagle havørn put in an appearance over the house as did a nice female Goshawk hønsehauk being chased by a horde of Hooded Crow kråke.

Other birds included a small flock of Snow Bunting snøspurv which went down near the house, a few Skylark sanglerke flying over, Meadow Pipit heipiplerke and several Redpoll - probably Lesser Redpoll brunsisik.

An Eagle Owl hubro sang for several minutes at one of the regular sites in the evening. A Woodcock rugde was also seen in the same area.

Øygarden 22 March 2008

2008-03-23T10:20:00.004+01:00

Northern Gannet havsule at close range
Migrating Oystercatchers tjeld
Shelduck gravand
White-tailed Eagle havørn

A superb days birding in fantastic weather.

Kicked the day off at Skogsøy just before 06:00 with an Eagle Owl hubro.

A couple of hours seawatching was very productive with over 200 Atlantic Puffin lunde moving north - a huge total for recent years. Other stuff on the move included just under 400 Oystercatcher tjeld, a couple of Red-throated Diver smålom, a Shelduck gravand, two little auk alkekonge and small numbers of migrating Common Gulls fiskemåke.

A 2cy Iceland Gull grønlandsmåke and a 2cy Glaucous Gull polarmåke were also seen here.

A flock of 11 Snow Bunting snøspurv, a Pied Wagtail svartryggerle, the first Lesser Redpoll brunsisik of the year and a Meadow Pipit heipiplerke were the highlights at Tjeldstø.

At Svellingen the best birds were a Peregrine vandrefalk and a Great Northern Diver islom. A flock of 20 Purple Sandpiper fjæreplytt were also seen here.

A minimum of 11 White-tailed Eagle havørn were seen during the day.