A fantastic week weather wise. It was the half term holidays so this, combined with work, predictably meant there was little time spent out and about. However, spring has sprung and there has been something of interest most days even if most birding was either drive-bys or from the terrace/office.
On 24.02 I abandoned plans for a birding trip in favour of fishing with my youngest. This turned out pretty well with two Cod torsk to 6.5kg and 5kg along with a few Haddock hyse (largest 3kg) and various other bits and bobs. With White-tailed Eagle havørn overhead, Curlew storspove and other birds this was a very nice afternoon. A short walk at Breivik in the morning produced little other than a couple of Skylark sanglerke - a species seen various places during the week.
The Mute Swans knoppsvane remained on Husvatnet all week - the longest staying birds in Øygarden ever! Other stuff seen at Tjeldstø during the week included the first Lapwing vipe of the year (28.02), two Wigeon brunnakke (all week), Greylag grågås numbers continued to increase and VJ3 was seen again on 28.02. Peregrine vandrefalk and up to five White-tailed Eagles havørn also put in an appearance here.
A short walk at Herdlevær on 27.02 was relatively quiet but the first migrating Oystercatcher tjeld passed during a coffee break.
Another new for Øygarden this year was a Common Gull fiskemåke at Vik on 25.02.
On 01.03 I did a cheeky pre-work seawatch - obvious movement of auks heading north but rather distant for the most part. Three White-tailed Eagles havørn joined 11 Raven ravn to eat something they found / stole on the shore - shortly afterwards some rather vocal Otters swam past...At least as good was a flock of over 50 Eiders ærfugl, proving they are not quite extinct yet.
Others who have been out and about of late have seen the first Shelduck gravand of the year, Goshawk hønsehauk, Little Auk alkekonge and more.
Potentially the most interesting bird of the week was a / the "yellow-legged" gull seen last week. This time I managed to see it a bit better and take some more photos. Although there are some features that point to Yellow-legged Gull gulbeinmåke I am not yet convinced of the identity. The amount of variation in these species certainly doesn't help.
From the house up to three White-tailed Eagle havørn daily. Starling stær setting up territory, migrating Skyarks sanglerke a few times, Woodpigeon ringdue, Common Crossbills grankorsnebb and daily Otter sightings.
6.5kg Cod torsk, just part of a very decent haul.
Crocus are in flower (and have been for a couple of weeks)
On 24.02 I abandoned plans for a birding trip in favour of fishing with my youngest. This turned out pretty well with two Cod torsk to 6.5kg and 5kg along with a few Haddock hyse (largest 3kg) and various other bits and bobs. With White-tailed Eagle havørn overhead, Curlew storspove and other birds this was a very nice afternoon. A short walk at Breivik in the morning produced little other than a couple of Skylark sanglerke - a species seen various places during the week.
The first Wigeon brunnakke I have seen in Øygarden this year (though one turned up whilst I was away a week or so ago)
Potentially one of the rarest birds for Øygarden this year - one of the four Mute Swans knoppsvane
The Mute Swans knoppsvane remained on Husvatnet all week - the longest staying birds in Øygarden ever! Other stuff seen at Tjeldstø during the week included the first Lapwing vipe of the year (28.02), two Wigeon brunnakke (all week), Greylag grågås numbers continued to increase and VJ3 was seen again on 28.02. Peregrine vandrefalk and up to five White-tailed Eagles havørn also put in an appearance here.
Whoopers sangsvane at Herdelvær 27.02
A short walk at Herdlevær on 27.02 was relatively quiet but the first migrating Oystercatcher tjeld passed during a coffee break.
Another new for Øygarden this year was a Common Gull fiskemåke at Vik on 25.02.
Migrating Herring Gulls gråmåke (compare wing pattern with pictures below)
Coal Tit svartmeis. Occasionally I take pictures of the common stuff too....
On 01.03 I did a cheeky pre-work seawatch - obvious movement of auks heading north but rather distant for the most part. Three White-tailed Eagles havørn joined 11 Raven ravn to eat something they found / stole on the shore - shortly afterwards some rather vocal Otters swam past...At least as good was a flock of over 50 Eiders ærfugl, proving they are not quite extinct yet.
Others who have been out and about of late have seen the first Shelduck gravand of the year, Goshawk hønsehauk, Little Auk alkekonge and more.
Potentially the most interesting bird of the week was a / the "yellow-legged" gull seen last week. This time I managed to see it a bit better and take some more photos. Although there are some features that point to Yellow-legged Gull gulbeinmåke I am not yet convinced of the identity. The amount of variation in these species certainly doesn't help.
Here the wing formula of Herring Gull gråmåke can be seen for comparison. No black on P5.
The gull to the left seems to have longer tibia, is slightly darker than the Herring Gull gråmåke to the right and has a longer primary projection along with less white in the primaries....
More primary tips visible (5) past the tertials on the yellow legged gull and more beyond the tail too - so longer winged that the Herring Gull.
A more cropped image. darker eye than Herring Gull with red orbital ring (though this is also a feature of some Herring Gulls with yellow legs). Quite a heavy beak with pronounced gonys.
Variation in head shape. A Hooded Crow started alarming and this bird became nervous - I did not dare to turn away to see the cause of the alarm in case I could clinch an open wing shot....
Underwing shot
Top of wing shot. No white moons on mid-primaries and black band on P5 visible. BUT all white tip to P10 is not necessarily positive....
From the house up to three White-tailed Eagle havørn daily. Starling stær setting up territory, migrating Skyarks sanglerke a few times, Woodpigeon ringdue, Common Crossbills grankorsnebb and daily Otter sightings.
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