Øygarden 29 July 2010

First year Common Tern makrellterne

A couple of hours seawatching at Skogsøy were relatively unproductive although over 100 Øystercatcher tjeld heading south were an obvious sign of migration. A single Bar-tailed Godwit lappspove was with one of the flocks.

Otherwise just small numbers of Gannet havsule, Common Scoter svartand and the usual fare.

Back at Tjeldstø a Spotted Redshank sotsnipe flew over the house in the evening, a pair of Wigeon brunnakke fed beside Husvatnet as did a single Ruff brushane. A Cormorant on Husvatnet was probably of the sinensis race - mellomskarv.

Tjeldstø 27 July 2010 - Ruff

The first Ruff brushane of the autumn

Still struggling to get out. Waders on the move today with three Ruff brushane beside Husvatnet, a Common Sandpiper strandsnipe, several Common Snipe enkeltbekkasin and at least one Greenshank gluttsnipe in addition to the usual waders.

Tjeldstø 24 July 2010

Above and below Common Terns makrellterne

Excellent views of almost impossible to photograph Common Terns makrellterne fishing beside the newly acquired boat. First trip of many I hope.....

Herdlevær 20 July 2010 - Waders

Dead Meadow pipit heipiplerke - wedging its head in a crack in the rocks must be one of the most unusual ways to go....

Dull and wet with southerly winds meant it was worth getting out to check for waders. An adult Bar-tailed Godwit lappspove and at least 10 Whimbrel småspove were the only migrants seen. Strangest find was a dead Meadow Pipit heipiplerke which has died by wedging its head in a crack in the rocks....

Tjeldstø 19 July 2010 - Chicks

Newly fledged Wheatear steinskvett
Spotted Orchids are putting on a good show

Well grown Arctic Tern rødnebbterne chick

Not much new on a quick dash around the reserve, although a the tiny Arctic Tern rødnebbterne colony held chicks hidden in the grass. Newly fledged Northern Wheatear steinskvett continue to turn up - indicating some local success stories.

Skogsøy 17 July 2010

Pale greyish undersides and blackish underwing coverts made this bird stand out from the other Great Skuas seen today.

A rather interesting Skua which seems to show some features of South Polar - the dark cap is a bit off-putting though....

Gannets havsule

Two Whimbrel småspove

A wet and windy couple of hours seawatching around dawn proved reasonably productive with at least four Great Skua storjo and another large skua which looked rather pale, grey and cold.

Plenty of Gannets havsule, a single Kittiwake krykkje and small numbers of waders on the move including eight Dunlin myrsnipe, 20 Red Knot polarsnipe and about 20 Whimbrel småspove.

Skogsøy 13 July 2010

Just a mad dash out in steady rain. Very quiet with just a Great Skua storjo beating up every Gannet havsule it could see - very successfully too!

Herdlevær 12 July 2010

Common Sandpiper strandsnipe

Busy with various household projects but covered Herdlevær quickly. A smattering of migrants - two Common Sandpiper strandsnipe out on the shore and another obviously breeding, along with a couple of Whimbrel småspove. Only other sighting of note was a lone Great Skua storjo heading north

Hernar 11 July 2010

Sedge Warbler sivsanger
Young Wheatear steinskvett

Swift tårnseiler

Greenshanks gluttsnipe at Tjeldstø

A couple of hours on the isalnd produced nothing unexpected given the time of year. At least 14 Common Swift tårnseiler flew over heading south as did three Black-headed Gulls hettemåke. The Sedge Warblers sivsanger have obviously done well and were busy feeding yuong.

Back home three Greenshank gluttsnipe beside Husvatnet were the first of the autumn.

Tjeldstø 10 July 2010

Common Gull fiskemåke chicks
Lesser Redpoll brunsisik

Collared Dove tyrkerdue

Calm and sunny today.

The highlight was a Collared dove tyrkerdue - the first I've seen in Øygarden this year. Otherwise it was situation normal - lots of young gulls trying not to get eaten, a family of Teal krikkand and loads of Greylags grågås.

Skogsøy 09 July 2010

Strong southerly winds today.
Highlights were at least two Sandwich Terns splitterne (probably three); another unusual summer sighting was a male Tufted Duck toppand heading south. Other stuff included a couple of Great Skua storjo and decent numbers of both Common Scoter svartand and Arctic Terns rødnebbterne on the move.

Finally heard a Wren gjerdesmett singing - the first for absolutely ages. After the cold winter there must be very little competition for territories. Hopefully it was a male who is finished with its first brood and setting up for a second go....

Tjeldstø 07 July 2010

Wilson's Storm Petrels wilsonstormsvale - unfortunately not from Skogsøy but in offshore water off Gabon

The first stroll around the reserve since my return from Gabon.

Best bird was the first Common Swift tårnselier of the year. Only other sighting of interest were four migrant Black-headed Gulls hettemåke feeding in newly mown fields with hundreds of Common Gulls fiskemåke.