Herdlevær and Skogsøy 30-31 August 2022 - Meetings

 Amazing weather, though too good to be any use for exciting birding.

On 30 August I had breakfast and the first meeting of the day at Herdlevær. Nothing out of the ordinary but obviously migration going on with flocks of waders and other species passing. Ruff brushane, Dunlin myrsnipe, Ringed Plover sandlo, Golden Plover heilo, Oystercatcher tjeld, Snipe enkeltbekkasin, Redhank rødstilk and Curlew storspove were the waders seen. Red-throated Diver smålom, Common Scoter svartand and a steady passage of gulls were among the other species.

Small numbers of waders stopped to feed - including these Dunlin myrsnipe

On 31 August I did Skogsøy for a couple of hours, similarly trying to get some work in whilst seawatching.  Another day of obvious passage, though many wader flocks were heading over quite high. A better variety of waders than the previous day with Knot polarsnipe and Sanderling sandløper in addition. Shags toppskarv and Cormorants storskarv on the move as well as nine Red-throated Diver smålom and small numbers of terns.

Normally it is Rock Pipit skjærpiperke that hang out where I sit seawatching, today a few Meadow Pipits heipiplerke joined them.

Some of the 60+ Shags toppskarv that headed north

Both Great-spotted Woodpecker flaggspett and Nuthatch spettmeis were seen on the way back to the car - clearly some movement going on:) (First record this year of both these species at Skogsøy)