Herdlevær 29 January 2013 - First local rarity of the year

Southerly winds, rain and mild

Great-crested Grebe toppdykker at Herdlevær

Not actually out today as such - but a  quick trip to run some errands produced a nice Great-crested Grebe toppdykker at Herdlevær. Although two were recorded in Øygarden in 2012 the previous record was back in 2005 so this is a decent find.

A Starling stær in the garden and a flock of about a dozen Filedfare gråtrost at Breivik were further indications that the change in the weather has brought about some movement.

Hernar 23 September 2008 - catch that boat!

Pied Wagtail svartryggerle
Yellow Wagtail gulerle
Great-spotted Woodpecker flaggspett
Twite bergirisk
Fieldfare gråtrost

One would have thought approximately nine hours on the tiny island of Hernar would be enough. However, we were kept busy all day and frustratingly most of the good stuff turned up just as the boat was about to leave. An apparent Olive-backed Pipit sibirpiplerke gave brief views and a call whereas what seemed to be greyish hippolais warbler just left me blank.

Stuff that was actually identified included a Lapland Bunting lappspurv, a Yellow Wagtail gulerle, a Pied Wagtail svartryggerle and a Lesser Whitethroat møller. The pick of the other migrants were a Redstart rødstjert, several Blackcap munk, a Reed Bunting sivspurv and a Garden Warbler hagesanger.

White-tailed Eagle havørn, Merlin dvergfalk and a Black Grouse orrfugl were also seen.

Loads of Twite bergirisk present with at least 70 present. At least 45 species altogether.