Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Øygarden 18 October 2016 - Another few new for the year

Light SE but mild and overcast much of the day.

Record shot of three Brent Geese ringgås resting on the sea.


Took a walk at Hjelme Vest where the best birds were three Brent Geese ringgås of the rather uncommon dark-bellied race bernicula. Other than a few flocks of Common Scoter svartand and at least nine Purple Sandpiper fjæreplytt it was quiet on the sea.

Over the land flocks of Blue Tits blåmeis and Common Crossbill grankorsnebb were constantly flying over. A Treecreeper trekryper also put in an appearance here.

A drive-by at Sæle produced at least 10 Blackcap munk, a Grey-headed Woodpecker gråspett and a few Long-tailed Tit sjtertmeis - the first I've had in Øygarden this year.

Female Scaup bergand at Tjeldstø



Female Shoveler skjeand


A trip to the shops meant I had to stop at Husvatnet on the way - it was rather better than normal with the highlight being a single female Scaup bergand - another new for the year locally. At least one of the Shoveler skjeand was still around as were the Common Sctoer svartand and a small flock of Goldfinch stillits.

Back home and working in the garden a flock of 15 Long-tailed Tit stjertmeis landed briefly, a Common Scoter svartand landed on the sea in front of the house and a good 300 Fieldfare gråtrost flew south. And the usual couple of White-tailed Eagle havørn.

So all in all the giving up birding thing is not going very well at all.

No comments: