Øygarden



Northern Wheatear



Tree Sparrow

Morning trip to Øygarden. Wheatear abundant today, with at least 50 noisy birds at Breivik. Also lots of Lesser Redpolls and to my surprise one Mealy Redpoll at Skogsøy. Otherwise quiet and foggy. At least seven Tree Sparrows at Herdlevær and the singing Sedge Warbler at Breivik. This morning also the first Pied Flycatcher singing in my garden.

Herdla

Quick trip to Herdla. A fly-by Arctic Skua, c. 100 Golden Plovers with a Ruff between them and a Pied Wagtail worth mentioning. Migration in full swing with c 50 Meadow Pipits, 15 Barn Swallows, two Sand Martins and 15 Wheatears.

Golden Plovers



Arctic Skua

 Near Åsebø a Nutcracker in the treetops, too shy to get pics.

Lindås/Woodpeckers...

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

House Sparrow

Common Coot

Made the traditional spring trip to Lindås trying to find woodpeckers. Lindås is very beautiful and one of the best areas in Hordaland for woodpeckers. Managed to see four species. Green (1), Greater Spotted (3), Lesser Spotted (2) and White-backed (2). The last only heard and seen flying, alas.

On the way back some common species at Tveitevannet.

Nice weather/Garden Birds

Wood Pigeon

Great Tit

A night at Osterøy

Spent the night at Osterøy with my family, Håvard Husebø and Eirik Straume Nordmann. We had several Western Capercaille's, a lifer for me! (Thanks Håvard and Eirik!). Otherwise quiet with only one Grey-headed Woodpecker calling and several Treepipits back.

Yesterday at Kalandsvannet a Green Sandpiper and today a Common Buzzard flying over my house (totals on my houselist 82).

Skogsøy and Tjeldstø

Anne and me at Skogsøy (photo by Sybrand de Bruin)

Great Black-backed Gull

Willow Warbler

Black Grouse

It's Easter-holiday and my parents and brother are over from the Netherlands.

We had a slow start with a short trip to Skogsøy and Tjeldstø. It was far too late for any migration, but it was in fact a rather succesfull afternoon. The first Barnacle Geese at Skogsøy, the usual Tree Sparrows at Herdlevær and at Tjeldstø a Shoveler was present (too distant for photo's) and a (presumably islandica) Black-tailed Godwit.

Black Grouse is almost extinct in the Netherlands, so it is a real treat for the dutch. We were lucky to find a nice male showing very well.

Herdla/Spring

Meadow Pipit

Fieldfare

Bullfinch

Had a morning visit yesterday at Herdla with the first Barn Swallows and singing Willow Warbler of the year. Loads of birds with a fly-by Mistle Thrush, two distant Red-necked Grebes, a lot of White Wagtails, Meadow Pipits and a group of at least 15 Lapland Longspurs. Besides the usual stuff, with Fieldfares very active singing and fighting, seemingly preparing to breed.

A Red-throated Diver was present at Kalandsvannet (but no signs of the Common Pochard). Back at home a pair of Bullfinches joined us at dinner, which we had for the first time this year outside.

Shopping at Tveitevannet

Tveitevannet is near Sletten shopping centre. During winter a good deal of birds gather, so most of the time I have a look. This time lots of Common Gulls (photo first- summer) and two Lesser Black-backed Gulls (intermedius as it seems).

This spot had previously Mediterrenean Gull and Ring-billed Gull.

Kalandsvannet

Today a quick glance at Kalandsvannet. Found a Common Pochard, scarce in Hordaland. Only half an hour later twitched by Terje Hansen, fanatic as he is.

Further the first Reed Bunting of the year.