Hamar 24 December 2021 - Christmas in the east

Christmas was celebrated in Hamar. I checked artsobs on 23rd and almost gave up all hope and had to work hard to build some motivation.

However, there is always a better chance to see something if you get out and about and I had an idea about where to go. This paid off very well with a couple of Pine Grosbeak konglebit and over 50 Waxwing sidensvans as the highlights. 

So Christmas was saved and all was well in the world.

My birding addictions are with other species / habitats than "grossers" but I can understand Rixy's obsession with these near mythical birds:) 

Øygarden 21-22 December 2021 - Getting Christmas done

 Home after an offshore trip that was rather longer than expected.

I probably set some kind of record for the shortest time used to sort out Christmas in the less than two days I was at home. Needless to say there was very little in the way of actually going out birding.

On 21 December I did a few drive-bys whilst posting cards etc. Highlight was the long-staying Yellow-legged Gull gulbeinmåke at Dåvøy. The Heron gråhegre roost there was up to 32 birds.

Roadside Rock Pipit skjærpiplerke at Dåvøy

Yellow-legged Gull gulbeinmåke

Otherwise it was just about the usual suspects with seven Whoopers sangsvane at Tjeldstø, a couple of Long-tailed Duck havelle at Toft, a Common Scoter svartand at Oen and of course White-tailed Eagles havørn everywhere.

Whoopers sangsvane

As I was leaving Øygarden on 22 December I picked up a Pinkfoot kortnebbgås together with two Greylags grågås at Breivik where there was also a small flock of Fieldfare gråtrost and nine Starling stær.

Pinkfoot kortnebbgås with Greylags grågås at Breivik

Back home the Otter showed well from the terrace both days.