Skogsøy 18 November 2006

During a break the squalls....
This is about as good as the weather got.

Braving the strong SW gale, and hail showers at Skogsøy was, as usual, well worth it. A couple of hours seawatching produced an adult Glaucous Gull polarmåke heading south along with hundreds of Herring Gull gråmåke. Not much else of note, just 5 Black-legged Kittiwake krykkje and 6 Little Auk alkekonge.

The walk out to the lookout was also productive with a male Black Grouse orrfugl being a new species for me at this locality. No doubt it took off somewhere further south and got blown there. Also around 36 Redpoll, at least some of which appeared to be Mealy Redpoll gråsisik, a few Fieldfare gråtrost and a couple of Woodcock rugde. One large diver, probably Great Northern islom headed north overland

Solberg 17 November 2006

Female Velvet Scoter sjøorre

Yet again time only allowed a brief visit to Solberg. Picked up most of the usual species including a White-tailed Eagle havørn, 6 Purple Sandpiper fjæreplytt, a Black Guillemot teist, a Litte Auk alkekonge and a Velvet Scoter sjøorre. A distant large diver flying north was probably a Great Northern Diver islom.

Solberg 16 November 2006

Another flying visit produced a Great Northern Diver islom on the sea and a single Purple Sandpiper fjæreplytt. Still only small numbers of seaduck for some reason.

Solberg 15 November 2006

A very short visit to Solberg produced a White-tailed Eagle havørn, possibly the same bird of a few days ago. The only other bird of note was a single Velvet Scoter sjøorre.

White-tailed Eagle havørn seen from the sitting room window was a commoner sight than a Black-headed Gull hettemåke that also passed the house.

Skogsøy 13 November 2006

Great Cormorant storskarv
European Shag toppskarv

Strolled out for a quick check over the sea - little moving other than plenty of Herring Gull gråmåke. A couple of Little Auk alkekonge and three Black-legged Kittiwake krykkje headed south and a Great Northern Diver islom sat on the sea - seeming not to mind the huge surf.

A Woodcock rugde flushed on the way out and a Curlew storspove flew over.

Tjeldstø 12 November 2006

Carrion Crow svartkråke, probably the same bird that turned up in October

Wet and windy and only a quick trip out. Birds of interest were a few Rock Pipit skjærpiplerke, a Snipe enkeltbekkasin and a Carrion Crow svartkråke.

Øygarden 10 November - Eagle Owl

A singing Eagle Owl hubro at a new locality was easily bird of the day. It seems it is not unusual for this species to start advertising territories during November.

The only other bird of interest was a Purple Sandpiper fjæreplytt which flew in and landed during another fishing trip at Tjeldstø....

Colour ringed White-tailed Eagle havørn, Solberg
Northern Gannet havsule, Solberg

A colour ringed White-tailed Eagle havørn at Solberg was perhpas the most interesting find today. Other species here included a couple of Gannet havsule, 20 Purple Sandpiper fjæreplytt and a Little Auk alkekonge.

Another White-tailed Eagle havørn at Alvheim and a Curlew storspove were the only birds of interest at Alvheim. Generally few duck on the west side of Øygarden at present.

At Tjeldstø an unseasonal Woodpigeon ringdue and an early morning rush of Fieldfare gråtrost heading south.

Øygarden 08 November 2006

Not really birding but a couple of Blackcap munk at Hellesøy, a White-tailed Eagle havørn and most of the usual species, although the sea seemed rather quiet.

At Tjeldstø five Waxwing sidensvans were a commoner species than the first Yellowhammer gulspurv of the autumn.

Skogsøy 04 November - Little Auks

White-tailed Eagle havørn being mobbed by crows - no telephoto lens

Somewhat inclement weather with a brisk westerly breeze and plenty of rain. On the way out to the lookout there were superb views of a juvenile White-tailed Eagle havørn being mobbed by Hooded Crows kråke and Raven ravn. Best bird though was a Jack Snipe kvartbekkasin.

Little passing over the sea other than over 170 Little Auks alkekonge - now heading north, perhaps returning after the massive southward movement of a couple of weeks ago. A Great Northern Diver islom and several Black-legged Kittiwake krykkje also headed north.

A Woodcock rugde flushed on the way home was a typical early November migrant.

Herdlevær 03 November 2006

Apalling record shot of a Goldfinch stillits (ISO 400, poor light)

Spent the afternoon getting wet at Herdlevær. Some good birds to be seen, the best one being a pipit that was at worst a Richard's Pipit tartarpiplerke. A flock of 10 Goldfinch stillits and a tristis type Chiff-chaff gransanger were the next best.

The supprting cast included a Blackcap munk, a Golden Plover heilo (getting late for this species now), 20+ Brambling bjørkefink and most of the usual species.

Øygarden 02 November 2006

One of two White-tailed Eagle havørn at Tjeldstø today

Bohemian Waxwing

Fantastic weather. Best birds were a couple of flocks of Bohemian Waxwings sidensvans, one at Tjeldstø, the other at Nautnes - now is the peak time for seeing this enigmatic species in Øygarden.

Other birds included a couple of Great Northern Diver islom heading north at "Hjelme West" where there was also a Red-throated Diver smålom on the sea, a few Little Auk alkekonge, Black Guillemot teist and most of the usual including a juvenile White tailed Eagle havørn.

A flying visit to Herdlevær produced a Chiff-chaff gransanger, 40+ Brambling bjørkefink and 20+ Siskin grønnsisik along with a few Skylark sanglerke and an adult White-tailed Eagle havørn.

Tjeldstø 01 November 2006

Todays highlight was a Rook kornkråke, a species that is recorded just about annually in Øygarden, often in the the late autumn. Another relatively good bird was a Carrion Crow svartkråke - probably the same bird that turned up in October.

Other birds of interest included several Little Auks alkekonge flying up the fjord, a Skylark sanglerke, two Lapwing vipe and the first Whooper Swan sangsvane of the autumn.

Øygarden 30 October 2006

In between errands a brief trip to Sæle produced at least 9 Blackcap munk gording themselves on elderberries. During an equally short visit to Solberg I saw my first Woodcock rugde of the autumn, along with a few Northern Gannet havsule, 9 Long-tailed Duck havelle and a Curlew storspove - probably one of the birds that will attempt to overwinter.

Tjeldstø 29 October 2006

Plenty of thrushes moving through with a minimum of 1000 Fieldfare gråtrost seen. Other birds included a White-tailed Eagle havørn, a flock of 15 Teal krikkand and a Lapwing vipe.

Skogsøy 21 October - Little Auk

Calm, but rather dull weather with a light easterly breeze seemed to be ideal conditions for migration and a couple of hours spent seawatching was quite productive. Highlight today was without doubt the movement of over 400 Little Auk alkekonge, other birds of interest included a couple of White-billed Divers gulnebblom and a few Great Northerns islom. The supporting cast included several Black Guillemot teist, 65+ Red-throated Diver smålom, Peregrine vandrefalk and 80 Common Scoter svartand and small numbers of Velvet Scoter sjøorre and Long-tailed Duck havelle. Thousands of gulls, largely Herring Gull gråmåke and Grea-black backed Gull svartbak were moving south, also a couple of Blacked Headed Gull hettemåke and several Black-legged Kittiwake krykkje.

Tjeldstø 20 October 2006

Little Auk alkekonge on Rotevatnet, Tjeldstø

Highlight during a very brief walk was a Little Auk alkekonge that landed on one of the lakes just long enough to have its photo taken. Strange that it landed on freshwater when the fjords and sea are such a short distance away. This is the first freshwater record for Tjeldstø, although the species is common enough over the fjords.

Hundreds of Redwing rødvingtrost and other thrushes, bushes full of Goldcrest fuglekonge and several Balckcap munk also seen along with several Skylark sanglerke and a dozen or so Common Snipe enkeltbekkasin.

Øygarden 19 October 2006

Dark-bellied Brents østlig ringgås at Breivik

Still frustratingly difficult finding time to get out and about - despite there obviously being plenty going on. With a garden full of Golcrests fuglekonge and Blackcap munk it isn't hard to imagine what must be going on along the coast.....Plenty of thrushes (mainly Redwing rødvingtrost but also Blackbird svarttrost, Fieldfare gråtrost and Song Thrush måltrost) also on the move.

A breif trip out produced a couple of Dark-bellied Brent Geese østlig ringgås at Breivik, together with a single Greylag grågås.

At Herdlevær at least 400 Starling stær, more Blackcap munk, Redwing rødvingtrost and other migrants. Best bird here was a Peregrine vandrefalk chasing a flock of Woodpigeon ringdue.

One of the hundreds of Starling stær at Herdlevær today

Herdlevær 14 October 2006

Brambling bjørkefink feeding on rowan berries

An hour or so at Herdlevær was generally quiet but there were plenty of birds in some areas, over 40 Brambling bjørkefink fed in the pines and in the rowan bushes. At least six Blackcap munk and 10 Song Thrush måltrost joined the Bramblings and Redwings rødvingtrost in this feast. One Skylark sanglerke flew over, as did an adult White-tailed Eagle havørn.

Tjeldstø 08 October 2006

Carrion Crow svartkråke
Barn Swallow låvsvale

A brief look around the reserve porduced very little of interest. A Carrion Crow svartkråke, a local semi-rarity was hard to get excited about. A couple of Barn Swallow låvsvale were the only other birds worth mentioning.

Autumn 2006: While I've been away

There has been little coverage in Øygarden during the autumn and hence few reports, but there have been good birds seen in the area. The following records come from Fugler i Hordaland and private e-mails.

Highlight was the "county's" first Black Kite svartglente at Skogsøy on 17 September. Plenty of other birds were also on the move at Skogsøy the same day, including Curlew Sandpipers tundrasnipe and Little Stint dvergsnipe

Also a Sooty Shearwater grålire, also at Skogsøy on 27 September.

A number of Yellow-browed Warbler gulbrynsanger have also reported including one at Herdelvær on 01 October. Others have been seen at Sæle and a Red-throated Pipit lapppiplerke was reported from Sæle

Tjeldstø 22 September 2006

Northern Pintail stjertand

Lovely weather after yesterday's strong south-westerly winds and driving rain. Sure enough there were birds about - a Northern Pintail stjertand being the highlight. However, also a sinensis Great Cormorant mellomskarv, several Eurasian Wigeon brunakke and a few Common Teal krikkand.



A good passage of Meadow Pipits heipiplerke heading south along with a few Barn Swallows låvsvale and a small flock of Blue Tit blåmeis. Two Northern Wheatear steinskvett rested out in the reserve.

Tjeldstø 22 August 2006

Best birds were two unseasonally early Barnacle Geese hvitkingås that dropped in together with 14 Greylags grågås. A couple of Ruff brusfugl and most of the usual suspects.

Skogsøy / Herdlevær 21 August 2006

Seawatching was surprisingly quiet, with very few Northern Gannets havsule and only one Great Skua storjo. The southbound Cormorant storskarv migration has begun with over 130 passing, Eurasian Shag toppskarv were also moving with more than 80 heading north. Best of the 11 species of wader were at least 10 Sanderling sandløper heading south and two Ruddy Turnstone steinvender north.

A few raptors were also on the move with at least three Kestrel tårnfalk and one Sparrowhawk spurvhauk seen.

Herdlevær was surprisingly productive, with the highlight being a Wood Warbler bøksanger - a really good bird locally. The supporting cast included a Garden Warbler hagesanger, two Whinchat buskskvett Spotted Flycatcher gråfluesnapper, a few Common Whitethroat tornsanger and a Whimbrel småspove.

Tjeldstø 19 August 2006

Golden Plover heilo

The reserve produced a Wood Sandpiper grønnstilk and a Spotted Redshank sotsnipe as the highlights. Several Golden Plover heilo, a Sand Martin sandsvale and six Eurasian Teal krikkand were other indications of continued passage.

Øygarden 18 August 2006

Common Whitethroat tornsanger, Svellingen

Superb weather but generally rather quiet birdwise - the only bird of note was a Whimbrel småspove at Solberg.

Biridng from the house proved more productive with Tree Pipit trepiplerke, Yellow Wagtail gulerle, a Sand Martin sandsvale, 10 Ruff brusfugl and a Greenshank gluttesnipe all seen from the garden.

Øygarden 17 August 2006

Out boat fishing so not really birding at all; now that the freezer is full the next boat trip will be more focused on birding. However, nice views of a Black Guillemot teist on the sea, a dark phase Arctic Skua tyvjo and an adult White-tailed Eagle havørn.

Small numbers of Common Tern makrellterne and Common Sandpiper strandsnipe.

Tjeldstø 16 August 2006

Peregrines vandrefalk on the lookout
Eurasian Teal krikkand

Rained most of the day but cleared up in the afternoon. An evening stroll around the reserve was productive with highlights being two Peregrines vandrefalk and two Wood Sandpiper grønstilk. Other birds included a couple of flyover Spotted Redshank sotsnipe, a Greenshank gluttsnipe and seven Ruff brusfugl.

All of which were more interesting than the technical best bird of the day - a Carrion Crow svartkråke - its just so hard to get excited about this species.

Skogsøy 15 August 2006

A camping expedition with the children rather than a birding trip, but nevertheless managed just over an hour of seawatching which produced plenty of migrating waders including over 840 Oystercatcher tjeld , a dozen or so Ruff brusfugl, a flock of 25 Redshank rødstilk, a Ruddy Turnstone steinvender, Greenshank gluttsnipe, eight Red Knot polarsnipe and more.

Highlights were one Green Sandpiper skogsnipe and a Spotted Redshank sotsnipe.

Skogsøy 13 August 2006

Spotted Flycatcher gråfluesnapper

Slightly hazy with a light south easterly wind weren't exactly classic conditions for pelalgic seabirds so 10 Sooty Shearwater grålire were a pleasant surprise. Other birds durng a two hour seawatch included 5 Great Skua storjo and almost 60 Eurasian Shag toppskarv north, a juvenile Common Shelduck gravand south along with a number of waders including around 160 Eurasian Oystercatcher tjeld, a Red Knot polarsnipe and a Greenshank gluttsnipe.

At Herdlevær other waders included a Bar-tailed Godwit lappspove and two Common Sandpiper strandsnipe but the best birds here were a Spotted Flycatcher gråfluesnapper and at least one Tree Pipit trepiplerke - both uncommon species in Øygarden.

Other birds on the move included a couple of flocks of Greylag Geese grågås and two Kestrel tårnfalk.

Tjeldstø 12 August 2006

An early morning walk around the reserve produced small numbers of waders including a ruff brusfugl, four Greenshank gluttesnipe and a Spotted Redshank sotsnipe. The sinensis Cormorant mellomskarv is still present on Husvatnet and a flock of 12 Cormorant storskarv heading south was the first flock of the autumn.

Tjeldstø 11 August 2006

Just back from Ormen Lange and not birding at all, but couldn't help noticing several flocks of migrating Greylag Geese grågås totalling some 280 heading south. Also a few flocks of Eurasian Curlew storspove, a Greenshank gluttsnipe and a Peregrine vandrefalk.

Most birds seen from my house, although I did do a spot of fishing.....

Tjeldstø 31 July 2006

Green Sandpiper skogsnipe
Common Gull fiskemåke

Best birds were a juvenile Green Sandpiper skogsnipe in the reserve and a White-tailed Eagle havørn was the first for some time. Lots of fledged Common Gull fiskemåke around too.

Tjeldstø 26 July 2006

Meadow Pipit heipiplerke

One sinensis Great Cormorant mellomskarv today, otherwise quiet with the only other bird of interest being a Greenshank gluttesnipe flying over in the evening.

Tjeldstø 25 July 2006

sinensis Great Cormorant mellomskarv Common Gull fiskemåke feeding in the garden

Two sinensis Great Cormorant mellomskarv present today. Other birds included a Yellow Wagtail gulerle and the first Eurasian Wigeon brunnakke and Ruff brusfugl of the autumn. Good numbers of Willow Warbler løvsanger obviously on the move.

Tjeldstø 24 July 2006 - sinensis

Sinensis Cormorant mellomskarv

Juevenile White Wagtail linerle

A look out of the living room window revealled a Cormorant skarv sitting beside Husvatnet. A couple of record shots were taken and it turned out to be a "sinensis" Cormorant mellomskarv. This is something of a rarity in Hordaland - but no doubt many are overlooked.

Another bird worth mentioning was a Peregrine vandrefalk over the reserve.

Skogsøy 23 July 2006

Juvenile Grey Heron gråhegre at the Skogsøy colony

The fresh onshore wind that was blowing as I went to bed last night was gone when I rose at dawn. However, having already got up I went out to Skogsøy anyway. Hot, humid and calm conditions meant few birds and great clouds of gnats - not exactly ideal seawatching conditions. First bird to pass was a Green Sandpiper skogsnipe, the first I've had this autumn.

Otherwise just the usual: 40+ Northern Gannet havsule, a few Atlantic Puffin lunde and a Great Skua storjo.

A Collared Dove tyrkedue was an unusual bird at Herdlevær on the way home.

Tjeldstø 21 July 2006

Adult Starling stær flanked by birds of the year
One of this year's Starling stær

A walk through the reserve produced very little. Migratory restlessness obvious in both Oystercatcher tjeld and Greylag Goose grågås - both these species will be departing shortly. Lots of birds now going over to feed on the abundant supply of berries.

Only one juvenile Common Redshank rødstilk remaning in the reserve.

Tjeldstø 19 July 2006

Just back from a trip "back home" to Northumberland when a Peregrine vandrefalk flew over the house carrying a Common Gull fiskemåke chick - and with a flock of adult birds in hot pursuit.

Tjeldstø 11 July 2006

Barn Swallow låvsvale
White Wagtail linerle

Southerly with showers much of the day. Little in the reserve, with nearly all the Common Redshank rødstilk now cleared out. Lots of species feeding fledged young in the area, including Linnet tornirisk, Barn Swallow låvsvale and White Wagtail linerle.

In the evening a flock of 14 Northern Lapwing vipe were seen heading south and a Peregrine vandrefalk flew over the garden. Another bird of interest was a Northern Gannet havsule heading north up the fjord - relatively uncommon on the east side of Øygarden unless there are strong onshore winds.

Tjeldstø 10 July 2006

Not birding but two Arctic Skua tyvjo, a pale phase and a dark phase bird flew in off Hjeltefjord and over the garden - the first at Tjeldstø this year.

Skogsøy 08 July 2006 Pom Skua

Lesser Black-backed Gull sildemåke
"The evil eye"

Light southerly winds didn't exactly promise much in the way of birds, but nothing ventured nothing gained. The very first bird seen as I set the scope up at 05:23 was a summer plumaged Pomarine Skua polarjo heading north. Excellent!

Some movement of Common Scoter svartand south with around 170 in three hours, other stuff included a few northbound Arctic Skua tyvjo, several Great Skua storjo, seven Whimrel småspove migrating south and a Red-throated Diver smålom, also flying south.

Tjeldstø 05 July 2006

Very hot. Generally quiet birdwise, it seems that the majority of Common Redshank rødstilk left during the night with only one or two families remianing. The first Black-headed Gulls hettemåke and Kestrel tårnfalk of the autumn turned up and a few Swifts tårnseiler knocking about.

Tjeldstø 04 July 2006 Strange place to nest

The arrow points to where the swallows are nesting!

Hungry young being fedOn the lookout for mum and dad

During a swimming trip with the family I noticed some stange activity among some Barn Swallows låvsvale. They appeared to be flying in under a quayside to feed young in their nests, this quay is used by a local cement works for deliveries by sea and a variety of heavy machinery is in regular use there - indeed, a fork lift and a digger were driving around there whilst we were swimming.

A trip down there in the evening with the telescope confirmed this to be the case - probably three pairs have bred under the quayside. One family was feeding recently fledged young on the quay and droppings from the nests could be seen piled up on the stones underneath.

To nest so close to the sea (albeit a relatively calm area), with vessels mooring alongside and with so much activity above the nests struck me, to put it mildly, as unusual. Perhaps this is a unique breeding locality for this species?

Øygarden 04 July 2006 Red-backed Shrike

An early morning seawatch at Skogsøy produced the usual selection of species, although there were few auks and no Northern Fulmar havhest. Over 120 Northern Gannet havsule headed north as did a lone Red-throated Diver smålom and four of the six Great Skua storjo. Whimbrel småspove on the move again and some indication that Great Black-backed Gulls svartbak have also started moving south.

A quick check at Herdlevær gave the best bird of the day in the form of a female Red-backed Shrike tornskate.

Sedge Warbler sivsanger still singing at Breivik.