Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Skogsøy 18 July 2021 - Seawatching at last

Finally forced myself out of bed at a respectable time and made the trip to Skogsøy!

Although generally quiet it was well worth the effort, not just for the birds but just to be out again.

Highlights were three Manx Shearwater havlire heading the north, the first two came together at very nice telescope range. I just enjoyed the moment and didn't bother trying to obtain any documentation shots. The third bird was further out only 10 minutes later. Otherwise just the usual suspects with Gannets havsule, a Kittiwake krykkje, Shags toppskarv (heading north now....) and a Guillemot lomvi or two.

Rock Pipit skjærpiplerke with food for its young at Skogsøy
It had two "marine woodlouse" in its beak (I don't know the proper name for these massive creatures that live in cracks in the rocks)

On the way home I had to fill up the car and used the opportunity to check out some tern activity - two almost fledged Arctic Tern rødnebbterne chicks could fly short distances but still very much dependent on their parents. Judging by the number of adults there were certainly more young in the area but I didn't dare inspect more closely as I didn't want to risk the chicks flying onto / over the road. Great to see this as other Arctic Tern colonies out on the islands are now deserted - maybe they got young off earlier, maybe they failed.




Almost fledged Arctic Terns rødnebbterne at Tjeldstø

Whilst photographing the terns a Goldfinch stillits flew over - adding to my suspicions about a local breeder this year - something that would be new for Tjeldstø:)

Later in the evening I heard Pied Flycatcher svarthvit fluesnapper singing - this species is not a common breeder in Øygarden so it is not often I hear it singing out here.

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