Great Snipes

Last weekend we made a camping trip with the family and took the opportunity to try Great Snipes at Isdalsvatnet on the Hardangervidda. We had to walk around for about an hour with the three of us (Anne, Robin and me) through the fields which are good for the species. Finally Anne flushed two birds. We only saw them fly on several occasions. Anyhow, I'll try next year a little bit earlier in the year to see them display.
Further the usual Common Crane, thunbergi Yellow Wagtails, Bluethroats, Twites and Mealy Redpolls.

Twite and Arctic Tern

Had two new Bergen-species for the year today, both at Espeland. One was -much to my surprise- a Twite (is it breeding?) and the other an Arctic Tern, that flew by and didn't bother the Common Terns sitting on their nests. These two resulting in 133 species so far...Further a couple of singing Garden Warblers, an Eider with four chicks and a Great Spotted Woodpecker with begging young.
A morning walk at Herdla produced nothing interesting, only two flyby Eurasian Curlews are worth mentioning.

Common Redshank at Herdla

Long-eared Owl at last

Yesterday evening another try for the Long-eared Owl, found by Ola Moen the night before. He heard two young birds calling.
At the locality I would meet Terje Hansen, Anders Bjørdal and Kåre Skarsvaag. We didn't have to wait long before at least one of the birds began calling. It was quite a long distance. Tried to record it, but nothing to hear on the recording, alas. We heard two birds. Further Tawny Owl and two displaying Woodcocks.
Before that I heard one Quail calling infrequently at Mjøs. 

Still looking for Bergen species

Yesterday evening another try for night birds in Bergen for the year list, but no luck. Tried Kalandsvannet, but I had only a Woodcock.

Today Espeland and Grimstad, but no special birds here either. Have to see Arctic Tern, but can't find it yet.

Ring-necked Doves still present at Espeland

Great Grey and Ural Owl

Last weekend I made a trip to Hedmark and it paid off! Did some birding on my own on saturday evening and on sunday I visited the woods around Elverum together with Jonas Langbråten and Lars Christian Stømner. We found Ural Owl and Great Grey Owl! These birds were both lifers for me.
Further I saw some eastern Norway specialities such as Ortolan Bunting (5), a Treelark,  Red-backed Shrike (a pair) a Black Woodpecker as well as many singing Common Redthroats...
Below some pictures and  a few sound recordings.

female Ural Owl

Great Grey Owl on the nest with at least two juveniles

Not the best photo's as compared to some others on the internet, but anyway...

alarm call of Ural Owl: http://www.xeno-canto.org/180472

singing Ortolan Bunting: http://www.xeno-canto.org/180473 (two birds)

singing Woodlark: http://www.xeno-canto.org/180474

early morning Ring-necked Pheasant (not found in western Norway)


On the way back evening sun at the Hardangervidda