Skogsøy 04 November 2010

Diver lom just starting moult to winter plumage. Large pale beak, pale face and very pot-bellied look....

Here the bird is showing the "no-billed diver" look

Great Black-backed Gull svartbakOn a totally different note - one of the world's largest rock dumpers, Simon Stevin also headed south today

Strong onshore winds meant that Skogsøy was the obvious choice today. However, the wind was too strong for any real movements.

A passage of adult Kittiwakes krykkje heading south were the mainstay but over 20 Little Auk alkekonge also passed along with a Great Northern Diver islom heading north and another large diver lom heading south.

The later bird I did not see in the scope or with binoculars but only through the camera - something that meant I did not "get" the jizz. The large pale bill, pot-bellied look and exposed eye in the white of the face all point towards White-billed Diver gulnebblom but the dark base to the bill and the very dark neck point towards Great Northern islom. Presumably an adult bird that has just started its moult into winter plumage.

A few White-tailed Eagle havørn knocking about along with most of the usual suspects. A Ring Ousel ringtrost on the way back home was a nice bonus bird. Once again Otters very vocal - otters have been very obvious and seen at least daily recently.