Tjeldstø 19 May 2013 - taking it easy

Calm, hot and sunny.

Singing Redstarts rødstjert are few and far between in Øygarden

One of two female Ruffs brusfugl

Not just people are feeling the heat....

Took things easy today with just a walk through the reserve. Two rather unseasonal Ruff brusfugl and a singing male Redstart rødstjert were the highlights.

The long-staying Rook kornkråke was seen again and at least one singing Lesser Whitethroat møller. Also small numbers of Common Crossbill grankorsnebb.

Other good birds reported from Øygarden today included a singing Bluethroat blåstrupe (only second record for Øygarden?), singing Icterine Warbler gulsanger and a Water Rail vannriske (unusual time of year for this species to show up here!).

Hernar and Lyngøy 18 May 2013 - Øygarden strikes back

Calm, sunny and HOT.

SHORT-TOED LARK DVERGLERKE

After yesterday's sightings on Fedje, just north of Øygarden it was high time we scored with a rarity - and we did! We found the first SHORT-TOED LARK DVERGLERKE for Øygarden on Lyngøy. This represents approximately the 10th county record.

Also on Lyngøy were a Pied Wagtail svartryggerle, a Spotted Flycatcher gråfluesnapper and a Whinchat buskskvett.

Arctic Skua tyvjo

Male Whinchat buskskvett

Hernar was quite productive despite getting the late in the day. Noteworthy sightings here included a Redstart rødstjert, a Whinchat buskskvett, two Pied Flycatchers svarthvit fluesnapper, a Spotted Flycatcher gråfluesnapper and a Garden Warbler hagesanger. LOTS of Wheatear steinskvett and decent numbers of Twite bergirisk also on the island.

Above and below: Arctic Tern rødnebbterne with almost all black beak

The all dark beak made this bird worth a second look!

An aberrant Arctic Tern rødnebbterne got the pulse racing - the all dark bill made me think of something quite different for a while.

A Kestrel tårnfalk, Whimbrels småspove, House Martins taksvale and plenty of other migrants were also seen during the course of the day.