Northern Øygarden 06 January 2015 - A couple of bonus birds

Strong southerly winds, rain and dull.

Not the best of weather to put it mildly. Started off at Hjelmo where a surprise species was an unseasonal Woodpigeon ringdue. A Snipe enkeltbekkasin and a White-tailed Eagle havørn were also present here.

Next stop was Hellesøy where I had a quick look at the sea - it was here the bird of the day turned up - a Merlin dvergfalk flew over heading north. First for the county this year.

After that things went somewhat downhill although I finally managed to see a decent flock of Long-tailed Duck havelle off Sæle and the first Chaffinch bokfink for Nautnes this year.

Later in the afternoon a more predictable new for the year was seen from the house - a Black Guillemot teist - amazingly this species has avoided detection not just in Øygarden but the whole county thus far this year!

Øygarden 01 January 2013 - New Year Bird Race Day 3

Fresh southerly with regular showers.

A rather better day in most respects than yesterday but still managed to miss a number of regular species.

Started the day at Dåvøy where I had superb views of an Otter. Best bird here was a Common Snipe enkeltbekkasin.

Solberg produced several Kittiwake krykkje, a couple of Gannets havsule and a Velvet Scoter sjøorre - but no new species for the Bird Race. A couple of Otter fishing here too - again with White-tailed Eagles havørn in attendance.

Alvheim was virtually dead but a Curlew storspove was a new species.

Hjelme West was still not up to its usual standards but at least produced the anticipated Black Guillemots teist, a Woodcock rugde and a Rock Pipit skjærpiplerke. And more Otters.

Little Auk alkekonge at Kollsnes næringspark

A tramp through the heaths at Ljøsneset produced a male Black Grouse orrfugl - a species that often requires some effort to see at this time of year.

Woodpigeon ringdue at Harkestad - surprise bird of the day

At Harkestad the bird of the day was a Woodpigeon ringdue - seems like the first January record of this species in Øygarden. No doubt scared out here by last nights fireworks.

Parrot Crossbill furukorsnebb

Tjeldstø produced at least one flock of Parrot Crossbills furukorsnebb, the two Blackcap munk in my garden and nine Whoopers sangsvane.

A total of 49 species in Øygarden during three days of birding in difficult conditions must be considered reasonable - but the potential is a lot higher than this......