Breivik 02 May 2011 - RIng Ousel

Lapwing vipe at Breivik
Willow Warbler løvsanger are well and truly back and singing everywhere

Male Ring Ousel ringtrost - always a good bird to see at the coast

Sunny yet again.

Highlights today were a male Pied Wagtail svartryggerle - probably the same bird that has been observed in the area for some time now and a pair of Ring Ousel ringtrost.

Still loads of Wheatear steinskvett about, very many of them singing and displaying.

Øygarden 01 May 2011

Tooks things easy today.
Finally caught up with the Common Whitethroats tornsanger that have been singing in the area for almost 10 days, confirmed at least one breeding pair of Ringed Plover sandlo and had a couple of Eagle Owls hubro.

Last but not least another singing Wren gjerdesmett - very few survived the second hard winter in a row so it is a great relief every time a new one is heard singing.

Øygarden 30 April 2011

Black Grouser orrfugl
Black Grouse orrfugl

White-billed Diver gulnebblom

Velvet Scoter sjøorre

Walm, calm and sunny

Most of today's birding consisted of a quite respectable seawatch at Skogsøy. Highlights were a total of 13 White-billed Diver gulnebblom and 114 Red-throated Diver smålom. Other sightings of note included a Great Skua storjo, a Whimbrel småspove, 18 Velvet Scoter sjøorre, 199 Common Scoter svartand, a Peregrine vandrefalk and a couple of Shelduck gravand. Generally quite a bit passing and well worth the trip.

On the way there I heard the first singing Wren gjerdesmett I have heard for a long time at Oen, Reed Bunting sivspurv, Sedge Warbler sivsanger and the usual suspects at Breivik.

Family errands in the evening produced a number of Black Grouse orrfugl and a Common Sandpiper strandsnipe at Tjeldstø.

Øygarden 29 April 2011

Trying out the new camera - Greylag grågås in flight

Calm, sunny and very warm.
A quick check at a few localities produced some sightings of interest:

The first Common Sandpipers strandsnipe for Øygarden this year at Hjelme.

At Hjelme Vest a Black Guillemot teist was the first I've seen for a while, small numbers of Long-tailed Duck havelle remain and a White-billed Diver gulnebblom headed north.

At Tjeldstø a Lapland Bunting lappspurv flew over. Later in the day a party of six Black-tailed Godwit svarthalespove dropped in breifly but soon moved on again.

Skogsøy 27 April 2011 - White-billed Diver

Three White-billed Diver gulnebblom together (click for larger image)

Normally they come by in ones and twos...

Adult White-billed Diver gulnebblom

Red-breasted Merganser siland

Gannet havsule

Eiders ærfugl

Allseas pipelay vessel "Solitaire"

Acergy Petrel

Sunny with a fresh northerly breeze - perfect diver conditions.

An excellent day with a typical movement of divers - highlight being a total of nine White-billed Diver gulnebblom - the first migrant birds of the year. A total of 49 Red-throated Diver smålom also went north.

In an Øygarden perspective a Jackdaw kaie that headed west straight out of sea was a rarer sighting that the divers....

Not much else on the move, other than the usual southbound migration of Shags toppskarv. Other birds included small numbers of Common Scoter svartand and Velvet Scoter sjøorre and a few auks. A couple of probable Red-necked Grebe gråstrupedykker were the one that got away today...

The Allseas vessel "Solitaire" was laying the new pipeline into Kollsnes supported by Acergy Petrel and Acergy Viking. Nice to not be at work.....

Øygarden 26 April 2011 - Stock Dove

Stock Dove skogdue at Tjeldstø

The good birds keep on coming....

A fly-by Stock Dove skogdue at Tjeldstø was probably the same bird reported a couple of days ago. Surprising that it is still around as Stock Dove don't tend to be "stayers".

The first Sedge Warbler sivsanger of the year sang at the usual spot at Breivik.

Hernar 25 April 2011 - Black Redstart

Above and below - male Black Redstart svartrødstjert

Obligatory Twite bergirisk picture

Great Northern Diver islom

Two Little Auk alkekonge

Part of a flock of Barnacle Geese hvitkinngås

A superb day by all accounts - very foggy at first but lifting later.

The island just got better and better as the morning continued. Plenty of Chiff-chaff gransanger, and a couple each of Willow Warbler løvsanger and Blackcap munk meant that there was always something to see.

At least two Ring Ousel ringtrost were the first in Øygarden this year as were a couple of Common Redstart rødsjert. Without a doubt the best bird was a cracking male Black Redstart svartrødstjert - a rare spring record for this species.

About 20 Twite bergirisk, loads of Wheatear steinskvett and small numbers of other migrants knocking about. There were also indications of a big movement of Barnacle Geese hvitkinngås with approximately 500 seen heading north - Hernar is not the best place for visible migration so actual numbers may well have been much greater.

The journey home produced a couple of Little Auk alkekonge and a Great Northern Diver islom on the sea.

Back home a Greenshank gluttsnipe beside Husvatnet seen from the living room was another new for the county this year.

Tjeldstø 23 April 2011

Black-tailed Godwit svarthalespove (probably islandica)
Golden Plover heilo

A stroll in the reserve produced a (the?) Black-tailed Godwit svarthalespove again.

A Sand Martin sandsvale flew over and at least 11 Golden Plover heilo and two Twite bergirisk out in the reserve. Otherwise very much business as usual - obviously more migrants in again with more singing Willow Warbler løvsanger etc.

Tjeldstø 22 April 2011 - Green Sandpiper

Wheatears steinskvett at Tjeldstø

Wheatear steinskvett eating "hairy" caterpillar

Calm and sunny.

A brief stroll in the morning resulted in a fly over Green Sandpiper skogsnipe and what sounded like a singing Corncrake åkerrikse - one can't really get that one wrong. This, however, would be an incredible record if indeed this is what it was.

Missed a Crane trane flying over the reserve whilst driving to the airport...

Skogsøy 21 April 2011 - Iceland Gull

This Iceland Gull grønlandsmåke caught me totally unprepared....

Part of the Barnacle Goose hvitkinngås flock that passed

Canada Goose kanadagås - something of a rarity in Øygarden


Common Scoter svartand

Overcast and hazy with visibility reducing during the morning. Light SSE winds.

Not a bad seawatch at all. Few divers passing - not the right conditions at all but the first Barnacle Geese hvitkinngås of the year, a flock of 45, headed north and a second year Iceland Gull grønlandsmåke passed at close range just as we were leaving.

The mainstay of the migration today were over 200 Common Scoter svartand. Also small numbers of most of the usual suspects.

Back home at Tjeldstø a pair of Shoveler skjeand, a Black-tailed Godwit svarthalespove, a Sand Martin sandsvale and a Peregrine vandrefalk rounded the day off very nicely indeed. A Canada Goose kanadagås was reported from Kollsnes - had to go and check it out just in case it was one of the migrant forms....

Tjeldstø 20 April 2011 - Pochard

Female Pochard taffeland

Calm and sunny.

First bird I saw from the living room window was a female Pochard taffeland on Husvatnet.

Needless to say this promted a walk around the reserve where a Chiff-chaff gransanger sang and there were obviously a lot more birds in today. Plenty of Wheatear steinskvett today, a few Tufted Duck toppand on Rotevatnet, a small flock of Golden Plover heilo and a Swallow låvesvale.

Skogsøy 19 April 2011 - Shoveler

Cool southerly wind meant it was chilly around dawn.
Finally made it out to Skogsøy where there was quite a bit of interest despite few birds passing.

Highlight were undoubtedly three Shoveler skjeand heading north with a couple of Wigeon brunnakke.

Other notable sightings were the county's first Great Skua storjo and Fulmar havhest for the year, a fly over Lapland Bunting lappspurv, several Tufted Duck toppand heading north (first I've seen in Øygarden this year) and 12 Red-throated Diver smålom.

Quite a few auk passing in the distance including several lateish Little Auk alkekonge and a few Puffin lunde; most had to go unidentified though.

Small numbers of Curlew storspove north, Common Scoter svartand and a southerly movement of Shags toppskarv were the mainstay of the days migration.

In the evening a Swallow låvesvale flew around Husvatnet, Tjeldstø

Tjeldstø 18 April 2011 - Willow warbler

Calm but dull. Plenty new in today despite minimal time out and about. A Woodcock rugde roding over the house during the night was the first new for the year. Snipe enkeltbakkasin also displaying simultaneously. The first Willow Warbler løvsanger for the county sang in the reserve where a few Lesser Redpoll brunsisik also showed up. A Golden Plover heilo (first seen yesterday) went up with everything else when a Peregrine vandrefalk flew over. Wheatear steinskvett singing along with several each of Song Thrush måltrost, Dunnock jernspurv and Redwing rødvingetrost.

In glorious sunny weather during the afternoon a Brambling bjørkefink dropped into the garden.

Øygarden 17 April 2011

Possible graellsi Lesser Black-backed Gull sildemåke at Breivik
One of the day's White wagtails linerle

Still overcast and wet.

A couple of Twite bergirisk were the best sighting at Solberg where 25 Long-tailed Duck havelle were on the sea.

A Jackdaw kaie at Herdlevær was the first in Øygarden this year but little else of note there.

A Merlin dvergfalk and a pair of Wigeon brunnakke were at Tjeldstø.

Tjeldstø 16 April 2011

Another dull and wet day. A couple of Linnet tornirisk were new for the year, Snipe enkeltbekkasin, Dunnock jernspurv, Redwing rødvingetrost and more singing - making it at least sound a bit more spring-like. More Fieldfare gråtrost on the move again but nothing else new in.

Øygarden 15 April 2011

Meadow Pipit heipiplerke Lesser Black-backed Gulls sildmåke

Wheatear steinskvett

Still foggy and dull.

A quick check at a few localities produced a few more new for the year with a few Wheatear steinskvett here and there, singing Dunnocks jernspurv and the first Reed Bunting sivspurv of the year in Øygarden.

Some thrush obviously on the move, mostly Fieldfare gråtrost.

Tjeldstø 14 April 2011

Having got a bit ahead of myself with the spring migration in the Straits of Gibraltar it was back to earth with a bang. Plenty of new stuff (for me anyway) in now with Lesser Black-backed Gull sildemåke, White Wagtail linerle, Meadow Pipit heipiplerke, Song thrush måltrost, Redwing rødvingetrost and Redshank rødstilk all being the first I've seen in Øygarden this year. Plenty of Greylag grågås and many of the gulls setting up territories.

Øygarden 14 March 2011

Light NW wind and sunny. Thaw started as soon as the sun came up.
A quick check at Solberg revealled that there was a considerable movement of birds, largely auks, heading north but were rather distant. A flock of four Snow Buntings snøspurv also headed north.

A short seawatch from Herdlevær produced another flock of five Snow Bunting snøspurv flying north and a good movement of auks - most too distant too identify but Puffins lunde, Guillemots lomvi and Razorbill alke were all involved. Plenty of Gannets havsule, small numbers of Kittiwakes krykkje and just under 200 Oystercatcher tjeld also passed during the hour I sat there.

Øygarden 13 March 2011

Snowed all day! Not what the forecast said at all.
It was a struggle to find much of anything and in the end all of what little action there was happened at Tjeldsø where the first Woodpigeon ringdue of the year were the highlight (the first for Øygarden turned up on 09 March). A Lapwing vipe, a Common Snipe enkeltbekkasin and three Skylark sanglerke were other signs of spring.

Skogsøy 12 March 2011

SW wind
Two hours seawatching produced little in the way of movement today other than at least 65 Kittiwake krykkje heading north. Good numbers of Gannets havsule feeding offshore and small numbers of auks too.

Highlight was the first Black-headed Gull hettemåke of the year heading north.

Øygarden 09 March 2011

Quite nice in between the hail showers...

Hjelme West was dismally quiet but the first Shelduck gravand of year (flying south) saved the day. A couple of Common Redpoll gråsisik were also the first of the year for me - a species that has all but vanished from Øygarden after the unprecedented numbers last autumn / early winter. Fifty Oystercatcher tjeld heading north and more resting on the rocks showed that spring is in fact progressing.

At Tjeldstø two Mistle Thrush duetrost remained. Starling stær numbers now well in excess of 100 and Greylags grågås increased to 11. A flyover Skylark sanglerke did its best to make it seem a bit more springlike.

Øygarden 08 March 2011

Strong gale but no rain today.

Checked a few of the usual localities but all the action was at Tjeldstø with two Mistle Thrush duetrost present today as well as the first two Common Snipe enkeltbekkasin of the year and the first migrant Greylags grågås - a flock of five.

Øygarden 07 March 2011

Grey Heron gråhegre at Dåvøy
Goldeneye kvinand at Dåvøy

Mistle Thrush duetrost at Tjeldstø

Strong south westerly with rain.

Not the most pleasant of conditions today but despite this (or rather because of it) there were a few birds to see. The best sighting was another Mistle Thrush duetrost at Tjeldstø, next best was the first Teal krikkand of the year in Øygarden - a male on the sea at Alvheim.

Six Whoopers sangsvane were back at Tjeldstø - good to see that some managed to hang on through the cold spell. A female Siskin grønnsisik at the feeder was the first in the garden this year.

Skogsøy 06 March 2011

Two of eight Skylark sanglerke at Herdlevær
Two Mistle Thrush duetrost at Herdlevær - typically very flighty

Calm with a hard frost.

Spring migration continued today with over 75 Gannet havsule, 25 Oystercatcher tjeld and the first Puffin lunde of the year heading north. A southwards movement of Shags toppskarv was also typical for the time of year.

More auks today but the vast majority at extreme range.

A couple of Great Northern Diver islom flew south and there was another Puffin lunde on the sea.

A drive-by at Herdlevær produced a flock of eight Skylark sanglerke and the best sighting of the day - two Mistle Thrush duetrost.

Øygarden 05 March 2011

Strong NW winds and snow showers.
Duck numbers at Hjelme West continue to remain low, little else about either - a few Oystercatcher tjeld were obviously recent arrivals.

A couple of Lapwing vipe at Tjeldstø were the first of the year here and a Greylag grågås was probably the same bird that has been knocking around for the last month or so.

Øygarden 04 March 2011

Dull and wet.

A quick check at a few localities produced rather little. Only new birds in were Oystercatchers tjeld at both Solberg and Alvheim.

Herdlevær 03 March 2011

Velvet Scoter sjøorre at Herdlevær

In fading light I had a quick check at Herdlevær.

Virtually no passerines whatsoever but a Slavonian Grebe horndykker (same bird as seen from Dåvøy), a couple of Velvet Scoter sjøorre and a small flock of Purple Sandpiper fjæreplytt were seen.

Skogsøy 28 February 2011 - Migration starts

Adult White-tailed Eagle havørn chasing oiled Great Black-backed Gull svartbak

Almost windless but some fog restricting visibility. Incredibly slippy on the way out due to overnight frost but this quickly thawed.

A couple of hours seawatching produced a typical range of species for the time of year including the first two Guillemot lomvi for Øygarden this year (?!), several Razorbill alke, the first Kittiwake krykkje I've seen in 2011, three Oystercatcher tjeld heading north, 94 Gannet havsule and plenty of large gulls. As usual for the time of year there was a southward movement of Shag toppskarv with 56 passing.

One oiled Great Black-backed Gull svartbak was chased by a White-tailed Eagle havørn but got away. It is quite possible this gull was a victim of the Godafoss spill further south - especially given the notable northward movement of this species today.

Øygarden 27 February 2011

Mild, calm and wet - the thaw continues.
Little of note but newly arrived migrants included almost 80 Starling stær at Breivik and over 30 at Tjeldstø.

Skogsøy 26 February 2011

Strong winds and very dull but went out anyway "just in case".

Predicatably there was very little passing. Best sightings were the first Skylark sanglerke of the year flying over, a Peregrine vandrefalk coming in off the sea with prey and a Greylag grågås heading south.

A drive-by at Herdlevær produced 12 Blackbird svarttrost in one of the gardens - probably new arrivals.

Øygarden 25 February 2011

Just a quick check of a couple of localities - strong wind and rain didn't help.

A Curlew storspove with about 10 Purple Sandpiper fjæreplytt at Solberg and a Little Auk alkekonge at Tjeldstø were the best of what little there was to see.

Øygarden 23 February 2011

Record shot of a Merlin dvergfalk at Hjelme West

With a bitingly cold wind it was hard going today with generally little about.

Best sightings were both from Hjelme Vest in the form of two Goosander laksand (first in Øygarden this year) flying past and a cracking Merlin dvergfalk.

With so few auks about Razorbills alke on the sea at Alvheim and Hjelme Vest were both worth mentioning. Otherwise just White-tailed Eagles havørn, a few Gannet havsule etc.

Alvheim 22 February 2011

Jay nøtteskrike at Alvheim

A drive-by past Alvheim produced the first two Jays nøtteskrike I've seen this year.

Skogsøy 20 February 2011

Fanastic weather and some indications of movement over the sea with gulls and Gannets havsule moving offshore. A brief seawatch produced a Little Auk alkekonge and a Razorbill alke both heading north.

Ljøsneset 18 February 2011

Record shot of Dipper fossekall

Almost birdless but a Dipper fossekall was an unexpected bonus - the first in Øygarden this year.

Tjeldstø 17 February 2011

Stuck inside all day but not quite birdless despite this - a Goshawk hønsehauk spent some time sitting in a tree visible from the sitting room.

Other stuff included four Starling stær and the usual 15 Tree Sparrow pilfink in the garden.

Øygarden 16 February 2011

Calm conditions enabled better viewing conditions over the sea.

A Great-northern Diver islom on the sea at Alvheim and two more at Hjelme Vest were the best sightings. At Hjelme Vest a Curlew storspove and an overwintering Oystercatcher tjeld were also new for the year. Quite a few Gannets havsule seen offshore.

Purple Sandpipers fjæreplytt, White-tailed Eagles havørn and most of the usual species seen at a number of locations. Generally few seaduck about.

A small flock of Siskin grønnsisik at Hjelme Vest were the best of the passerines today.

Dåvøy 15 February 2011

Above and below Cormorant storskarv at Dåvøy

Snowing again.
After a long wait a Slavonian Grebe horndykker finally put in an appearance - probably the same bird seen earlier in the winter. Other stuff included a few Velvet Scoter sjøorre, a few Purple Sandpiper fjæreplytt and a Rock Pipit skjærpiplerke.

Hjelme West 14 February 2011

A bitterly cold wind didn't help things but it was rather quiet on the sea. A Gannet havsule, a Velvet Scoter sjøorre, four Common Scoter svartand and several Black Guillemot teist were the best of the meagre pickings today.

Skogsøy 13 February 2011

The first Lapwing vipe of the year at Skogsøy

Best bird was seen by the car park - an "early" Lapwing vipe. Other stuff included a couple of Starling stær and a Fieldfare gråtrost.

Almost nothing passing but a male Peregrine vandrefalk came in off the sea from a hunting sortie. Otherwise just small numbers of the usual including a Black Guillemot teist. Some movement of large gulls so it was tempting to wait and see if anything more interesting would turn up but time did not permit.

Solberg 12 February 2011

Finally back. A quiet start to the local birding year with the best bird being a Peregrine vandrefalk. A couple of Greylags grågås headed north but otherwise very quiet indeed with just 20 Purple Sandpiper fjæreplytt to be seen.

Fifteen Tree Sparrow pilfink in the garden along with the usual suspects