Friday, December 30, 2011

Øygarden 30 December 2011 - New Year's Bird Race Day 1

Light northerly with hail / snow showers.

A day that seemed dogged by failure with lots of "no-shows" on species I had expected to see. Such is birding.

Started the day at Skogsøy - somewhat predictably at the "Pollane" but there was no sign of any American ducks there today.


Gannet havsule at Skogsøy

Althought there was a little movement over the sea a number of hoped-for species did not show. Eight Gannets havsule and five Kittiwake krykkje heading north and small numbers of Little Auk alkekonge was all I had to show for my efforts.

Best bird of the day by far was seen on the way back to the car - a rather unseasonal Short-eared Owl jordugle. Also seen on the way back was a flock of seven Greylags grågås heading south. Other species included a Fieldfare gråtrost with 15 Starling stær near the car park.



Eagle Owl hubro - a nice bonus bird

 

I then proceeded to a variety of localities which by and large failed to produce the expected species - with one notable exception: Eagle Owl hubro. You beauty!!

Tjeldstø produced an unusual fresh water Common Scoter svartand, a Velvet Scoter sjøorre on the sea, Whoopers sangsvane and the usual.

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