Øygarden 31.08-03.09.2024 - Back to normal

On my return from Falsterbo it was straight into a couple of days of guiding.

An afternoon on Herdla on 31 August gave most of the usual suspects. Highlights were a couple of Black-tailed Godwit svarthalespove and at least two Curlew Sandpiper tundrasnipe. Surprise bird was a Whooper Swan sangsvane - no doubt the same bird that has frequented Tjeldstø recently.

Good numbers and a nice variety of other waders were seen including a couple each of Knot polarsnipe and Turnstone steinvender. 

Dunlin myrsnipe

Two Knot polarsnipe and a Dunlin myrsnipe

Mixed flock of waders including two Curlew Sandpipers tundrasnipe, two Knot polarsnipe, Ruff brushane and Dunlin myrsnipe

The next day was a full day out in Øygarden and we kicked off from my terrace with Grey-headed Woodpecker gråspett calling. A walk at Herdlevær produced significantly more species than at Herdla the previous day with the best bird being a Merlin dvergfalk. During the day a noticeable passage of Greylags grågås heading south. Passerines of note included a Stonechat svartstrupe, Whinchat buskskvett and Common Crossbills grankorsnebb. Best bird of the day in a local context was a Black-throated Diver storlom on the sea at Tjeldstø. A few White-tailed Eagle havørn  and a good variety of early autumn migrants were also seen.

On 02 September the Grey-headed Woodpecker gråspett once again made its presence known from the terrace and an early Grey Wagtail vinterle fed on the shore in front of my house. Also from my terrace an Otter put in an appearance. 

Sunset from the terrace

Early morning view from the terrace

A large spider living on my terrace

The next day was spent preparing for an offshore trip with little time in the field. Best birds were a Kestrel tårnfalk at Husvatnet and a few Wigeon brunnakke at Kollsnes.

Kestrel tårnfalk at Husvatnet 03 September

Øygarden 13.05-14.05.2024 - Out of Øygarden guiding pays off

 No birding yet again on 13.05 but there were a few sightings of interest - two Black-tailed Godwits svarthalespove at Breivik, a Pied Wagtail svartryggerle in the garden where a flock of six Common Crossbill grankorsnebb flew over.

Black-tailed Godwits svarthalespove at Breivik

Meadow Pipit heipiplerke at Breivik

The next day 12 Collared Dove tyrkedue heading south over my terrace was an unusual observation and I picked up the Golden Eagle kongeørn rather further south in Øygarden.

A very successful guiding trip took me to Herdla in sunny conditions with fresh southerly winds. Plenty to see during the few hours we were there including two Temminck's Stints temminkssnipe (first for the county this year), a flyover Little Ringed Plover dverglo, four Black-tailed Godwits svarthelspove, a pair of Shoveler skjeand and a couple of Yellow Wagtail gulerle. Lapwings vipe had plenty of chicks on the go and other breeding waders were numerous. A few Dunin myrsnipe fed on the shore but there was little in the way of seaduck to be seen - most have now left this wintering locality.

Herdla 02 September 2019 - Off the reservation guiding pays off

Light winds and mostly dry, some sunny spells and a couple of heavy showers.

Another guiding trip to Herdla, the intention was to cover this locality and then move on elsewhere. However, it took all day to cover Herdla properly. There was plenty to see with the undoubted highlight being a first year Citrine Wagtail sitronerle which suddenly turned up but was hard to follow as it chased pipits around. It gave good views in the scope when it appeared out of the grass it was feeding in and called repeatedly in flight.

One of the many Bar-tailed Godwits lappspove present

Here showing darker upper tail coverts

Most features visible in this shot

Full pale border around the face dark lateral crown string.

Two broad white wing bands and broad white edges to tertials

White undertail coverts showing well here

All black bill

Citrine Wagtail sitronerle

We were also treated to repeated aerial acrobatic displays by two young Peregrines vandrefalk - they seemed just to be playing and did not hunt at all - though there was some evidence that they had been feeding on waders. A few White-tailed Eagles havørn were present on and off throughout the day.

As expected waders were the focus with 14 species including a couple of Little Stint dvergsnipe, two Sanderling sandløper, singles of Knot polarsnipe and Turnstone steinvender and around 25 Bar-tailed Godwits lappspove. By far the most numerous wader was Ringed Plover sandlo. Ruff brushane and Dunlin myrsnipe gave the best views as the fed in the grass.

All in over 50 species so a great day out.

A Nutcracker nøttekråke flying over the road on  the way home was a nice bonus bird!