Nautnes 15 December 2013 - Oil spill?

SW winds, largely clear.

With Christmas upon us birding is yet again taking a back seat - and I didn't really get out today. An unfortunate way to get a new species for the new house list was this Guillemot lomvi which turned up on the sea in front of th terrace. It looked to be oiled and was frantically attempting to clean its plumage. It obviously caught the eye of an adult White-tailed Eagle havørn which made at least a couple of passes over it - and the bird was not seen subsequently....

 

Oiled Guillemot lomvi at Nautnes - an indication of a possible spill somewhere?

A short fishing / Christmas tree trip in the afternoon resulted in a first winter Glaucous Gull polarmåke at Tjeldstø. Being almost dark (15:45 or thereabouts) there was no other option than to turn the ISO value all the way up - results were easily good enough for documentation. I'll be trying that again sometime.....

 

Above and below:Glaucous Gull polarmåke 

 

 

Herring Gull gråmåke - ridiculous ISO settings gave decent results....

 

Herdlevær 24 September 2011

Southerly and overcast.

Waders included a Common Sandpiper strandsnipe, a Dunlin myrsnipe and some small flocks of Golden Plover heilo. A Common Tern makrellterne flew past - no doubt one of the last we will see this year.

A heavily oiled Gannet havsule dived into the sea after fish but did not manage to take off again - seemingly waterlogged.

A couple of Wheatear steinskvett, Rock Pipits skjærpiplerke and most of the usual suspects also seen.

 Above and below: Dunlin myrsnipe on the shore

 Oiled Gannet havsule looking rather worse for wear

Shag toppskarv shwoing off a fine "beer belly".

Later in the day a Spotted Flycatcher gråfluesnapper and a Common Redstart rødstjert were seen.