Common Quail on Herdla

 Today early morning a trip to Herdla. Anything possible in may. Best bird was a singing Common Quail on the fields near the observation tower. I managed to make a sound recording, listen below. Otherwise some waders with four adult Black-tailed Godwits, always at a distance. I couldn't determine if it were islandica or nominates. Three Whimbrels on the fields and a flyby Wood Sandpiper made the walk nice.

At another spot on the island a pair of Wrynecks, that behaved as if they are planning to breed: lots of noise and a bit of drumming or hacking...listen below. A fine singing Spotted Flycatcher as well

📡 Common Quail

📡Wryneck

📡Spotted Flycatcher

Birds coming in: Pied Flycatchers and Wood Warbler

 Today rather warm and cloudy, lots of new birds about. I had four singing Pied Flycatchers at Kismul and (another) one singing near my garden. The Sedge Warblers coming in with two at Kalandsvatnet as well five  House Martins there. This was all early morning. In the afternoon I twitched Wood Warbler near Flesland, which was singing quite well. Listen by clicking the link below!

Greenfinch in my garden today

digiscope of one of the Sedge Warblers

Listen here for some recordings:

📡 Wood Warbler

📡 European Pied Flycatcher

📡 Sedge Warbler

Early morning Carrion Crow at Flesland

 I was awake very early, so I made a quick trip to Flesland. On the airstrip a distant Carrion Crow was present with a Hooded Crow. It flew off, but may still be there somewhere...The Pink-footed Goose was still there with a group of Greylags. Otherwise the usual suspects with singing Linnet and Lesser Redpoll as well as two Northern Wheatears. On the way back tried for the Glaucous Gull at the Tveitevannet which I digiscoped. I have to practice a bit , but it's fun!

second calender Glaucous Gull

Greylag Goose at Flesland

Later on the day we had a family trip to Herdla. Both Anne and Robin had been ill for a long time (no Covid), so it was supernice to visit the wetland in nice weather together. Birdwise it was quiet, but two Ruddy Turnstones, singing Dunlins, a flyby Greenshank, about 20 Northern Wheatears and a Pied Wagtail are worth mentioning as well as longstayers such as Barnacle Goose and a Pink-footed Goose.

Milde

At the Arboretum at Milde Anne and me had a short walk to look at the rhododendrons in bloom. While doing so I saw and heard a singing Hawfinch at Mildevatnet. Suppose it's breeding there. Further an early Icterine Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Whitethroat and a singing Tree Pipit. Seem the weather change with southerly winds bring the birds!

At home I keep tried some digiscoping from the balcony and watched this Ring-necked Dove near it's nesting tree

Wood Pigeon

 This one is building it's nest again this year. Nice to have them!

                                                                          my first phone scope-video  

Listen to the recording of a Song Thrush early morning

                                                                       📡Song Thrush

Grey Wagtails

 Not even 200 meters from my house lies Christieparken. I often go there with Hickman early morning before work, not wearing bins or camera. Doing so I often hear the Grey Wagtails that are residing there. They breed there somewhere in or around the Christieelven too. Today I spent an hour or so trying to find their exact whereabouts and to get some pictures. It was rather crowded with children but I managed to get a few shots.

the male in almost full breeding plumage

Eurasian Collared Dove

Further in the park Eurasian Collared Dove as usual, one or to breeding pairs of Treecreeper, a few Fieldfares, White Wagtails, Greenfinches and Chaffinches...

Listen below to some early morning recordings at Kismul, Kalandsvatnet

📡Yellowhammer song

📡Greylag Goose alarm call

Pink-footed Goose still on Flesland

 I presume the same Pink-footed Goose is still on Flesland. It wasn't reported since last week though. Anyhow, full spring despite the northern winds with Barn Swallows, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Lesser Redpolls returning...

Listen to a Common Chiffchaff singing at the Skeievatnet

📡 Common Chiffchaff