Sunday, January 21, 2024

Øygarden 20-21 January 2024 - Otters

On Saturday I was out bright and early in very nice conditions - I opted for Hjelme Vest. 

Once again it felt rather quiet on the sea with just a Great Northern Diver islom, 30 Long-tailed Duck havelle, several Common Scoter svartand, a Black Guillemot teist and a Guillemot lomvi of any note. A couple of Oystercatcher tjeld fed on the rocks close by and a small flock of Purple Sandpiper fjæreplytt put in an appearance. 

On my way out to where I scan the sea three female Velvet Scoter sjøorre fed close in - the first I have seen in Øygarden this year.

A flock of around 20 Parrot Crossbills furukorsnebb and a Woodcock rugde were the best sigthings in the woods. 

Crested Tits toppmeis, White-tailed Eagles havørn and the usual also seen.

As usual there was an Otter fishing just off the rocks, it came onshore and started rolling about in the snow, seemingly enjoying getting clean and having a scratch.

Otter enjoying the snow:)

Elsewhere a Snipe enkeltbekkasin fed in one of the few unfrozen areas available.

On Sunday the weather was less than optimal to start with - with heavy rain and strong winds. Can't complain though - almost all the snow disappeared during the night and the ground is thawing - great news for the Woodcock rugde and Snipe enkeltbekkasin that have quite literally gambled everything on a survivable winter:)

I started with some drive-bys. Herdlevær produced a couple of Otter and three Curlew storspove as the best sightings.



Otters at Herdlevær


The weather cleared up nicely after lunch and a walk along Langøysundet gave a flock of five Oystercatcher tjeld, a Red-throated Diver smålom, nine Parrot Crossbill furukorsnebb and most of the usual suspects.


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