Another week mostly in front of the work computer unfortunately, but some time was spent out of office.
On 18th with a northerly gale blowing I gave Skogsøy a try but there was not much of interest, just Gannets havsule and a few Arctic Terns rødnebbterne moving in the 1.5 hours I spent seawatching.
Common Tern makrellterne photographed from my terrace as it fished for its young.
A morning walk at Hjelme before work on 22nd gave just the usual suspects including Lesser Whitethroat møller. Back home at work it was very encouraging to see a pair of Common Terns makrellterne fedding two fledged young - at least the breeding season has not been a total wipeout.
A short drive with my mum in the afternoon gave excellent views of an Otter at Dåvøy:)
Otter enjoying a meal at Dåvøy
A morning of guiding close to Bergen on 23rd saved the birding week. I visited my old haunts around the area I lived in before moving out to Øygarden and Gullfjell provided the best birds from my point of view in the form of Dipper fossekall and Ring Ousel ringtrost. But there were birds everywhere and it took hours even to get to Gullfjell. 40 species was not a bad total for a morning in late July. Plenty of Whichchat buskskvett, Blackcap munk, several Sedge Warbler sivsanger, all three of the usual hirundines and some Swifts tårnseiler were among the species seen. Gullfjell gave some excellent photo opportunities but I didn't even have my camera with me. A great morning out!
The rest of the week was restricted to looking out of the home office window (White-tailed Eagle havørn daily) and a few drive-bys. A Wigeon brunnakke at Tjeldstø on 24th July was a sign of migration. A stroll at Solberg on 26th produced little but some Siskin grønnsisik gave good views. Later in the day the drive to my daughters gave excellent views of a Wheatear steinskvett.
Young Common Gulls fiskemåke at Tjeldstø
Siskin grønnsisik at Solberg
Wheatear steinskvett at Breivik
What I think is probably a Silver-studded Blue but could be Idas Blue. I had no idea you have to see the legs very well to be sure and naively assumed what I thought was a reasonable picture would be enough for identification. I'll stick to birds for the time being:)
