Hume's Leaf Warbler

 Julian Bell found a Hume's Leaf Warbler at Herdlevær on Saturday. But I was in the Netherlands...

But God was in a good mood, it was still present today. We had to wait one-and-a-half hour, but then it came. It was easier to hear the bird than to get decent pictures. But I could make a few records shots. Listen below to my sound recordings. I recorded two call types. The typical two-toned one and a 'heet'-type, somehow recalling a tristis. Afterwards I tried for the Firecrest at Sele. That one gave quick views. It started raining, so I gave up n that one. Maybe Wednesday for another try.

🎤Hume's Leaf Warbler

🎤Hume's Leaf Warbler

🎤Hume's Leaf Warbler ('heet'-call)

🎤Hume's Leaf Warbler (miscellaneous)

Golten

 Today I twitched the Black Redstart (only my second for Hordaland), that is present since Sunday at Golten on Øygarden. Nils Fredriksen helped me finding the bird in a barren rocky area. I didn't know about this place, but it seemes to have a lot of potential for rare chats, or worse...may be the corps of a whale that lies there, will attract something else than the usual gulls. We flushed a Woodcock there as well...

Late autumn on Øygarden

 Went to Øygarden on my free Wednesday again, you never know. It was windy and quiet with birds. But a very nice female Snow Bunting saved the day. It was present on Hellesøy at the same spot the Wood Larks were (they were gone). Otherwise quiet, as said. On the way to Øygarden I saw a big diver flying over the car, but I couldn't stop. It was probably a Great Northern, which would be new for my Bergen list...

Wood Larks at Hellesøy

 This weekend I had things to do at home. But on Sunday morning I decided to check the Eastern Yellow Wagtail that was reported on Herdlevær on Saturday.  That bird was gone, I suppose.

I met Bjørnard Skjold on Herdlevær. Talking about the wagtail he said that the Wood Larks he found last Sunday on Hellesøy were still present. I wanted to see those birds of course. Together we saw the shy birds at the same spot as last Sunday and Monday and managed to get some record shots. Good bird for Øygarden!

a few days extra on Herdlevær

 Both yesterday and today I had free, so I decided to go to Herdlevær. The Red-breasted Flycatcher is still holding strong, albeit difficult. It is mostly staying at the same spot as last years Dark-sidid Flycatcher. I didn't bother about the flycatcher, because it was so difficult. Together with Terje Hansen, I found a Siberian Chiffchaff at the northern part of the island. I managed to record one call...That bird was still present today in the ‘bombehagen’. In the gardens on the western part the Yellow-browed Warbler was still present today (my sixteenth of this autumn)... Otherwise the usual suspect with Common Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps , thrushes and finches and so on.

On Tuesday Julian Bell had found a Richard's Pipit on Breivik. That bird proved to be present yesterday. It was on the fields near Kolsnes, but proved to be shy. Managed to record that one too.

Siberian Chiffchaff. No yellow and greens visible. Note the all black feet and toes, all black bill and the wingbar

🎤Siberian Chiffchaff

🎤Richard's Pipit

Red-breasted Flycatcher at Herdlevær

 Today no wind! But raining steady. I just had to check Herdlevær. First bird I heard getting out of the car was my fifteenth Yellow-browed Warbler of the season. It showed quite well, but it was too wet to take my camera out of the bag, at least for a YBW. A little later I met Olav Moberg and Stein Rune Rise at the sjeldenhagen. I told them about the YBW and they went to check.

After about three quarters of an hour I had done the gardens at the turning point of the road and was on my way back. I saw small light-colored bird disappear in one of the trees. After some ten minutes I saw it briefly, but I immediately identified it as a Red-breasted Flycatcher. But it was raining hard and I couldn't find it back. I called Stein Rune and Olav, who were at Sele. But they decided to come back. I also put it on Band. After doing so I saw it shortly again in the same tree. It was not showing well, though. I waited for Stein Rune and Olav and together we went through the fence to try to take pictures. In that we succeeded. As often, the others had better pictures than me...but I got my own😊

Red-breasted Flycatcher is easy to recognize with its drab plumage in this age, the black-and-wite tail and the nice eye-ring. But what about that other bird from the far east? Of course I had thought about the bird being a Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla, the much rarer of the two. Differences are subtle. That bird would show an all black bill, a much whiter throat and the upper tail coverts would be very black (blacker than the tail). I couldn't see the rump and uppertailcoverts of this bird, but on one of the photo's taken today one can see that the uppertailcoverts are brownish. Besides that this bird bird called a few times, not the characteristic rattle, reminiscent of Wren, but a plaintive "wee-ip". Taiga would give a drier rattle and  "tic" calls! I think today's bird is a first winter because of the cream-coloured wing bars and tertial edgings. 

The bird stayed for several days, much to the joy of many visitors. On the 16th Stein Rune Risa recorded the bird. On the recording two different types of call can be heard! Thans, Stein Rune, for letting me use the recording!

🎤Red-breasted Flycatcher

Øygarden again

 This week I visited Øygarden three times, once Herdlevær with Terje Hansen and twice with Eirik Adolfsen. Very nice birding, although the weather was not always that good. Rain on Wednesday and lots of winds on Thursday. But lots of birds about, but no really good birds. On Wednesday we had five Yellow-browed Warblers (4 on Herdlevær and one at Sele). This autumn I have had a total of 14 birds! Further a lot of finches, thrushes (mostly Blackbirds) and Blackcaps on the way. Noteworthy were a Ring  Ouzel at Herdlevær, a late Garden Warbler there as well, a Lesser Spotted and Grey Woodpecker at Sele and a Hawfinch. A short scan over the sea at Sale produced two Great Northern Divers and four Black Guillemots. On wedenes day we had two Otters at Herdlevær, producing a lot of noise...

🎤Yellow-browed Warbler

🎤Otter (parent)

🎤Otter (young)

Note that the Otters uploaded as Robind on Xeno-canto, I couldn't manage otherwise...

 

Turøy

Took a morning on Turøy. On Saturday it had been raining, so I hoped for new birds. In the Netherlands a Dark-sided Flycatcher (!!!) and a Brown Shrike had been found...But today was also quiet as usual on Turøy. However, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap (all heard only) made the visit worth while. Otherwise, two White-tailed Eagles and a Water Rail present.

On the way back I tried the Thrush Nightingale, reported by Alf Alden, without luck. When I later on the evening heard the recording, it proved to be a Siberian Chiffchaff.

White-tailed Eagle

Hernar again

 3rd of October. Hernar! Picked up Eirik Adolfsen early to check Hernar today. At the ferry five more people had gathered with the same thoughts. Together with Julian Bell, Terje Hansen, Jørn Opsal and Egil and Laila Frantzen we checked the island from 08:00 to 12:30.

As last week,  today it was quiet as well. However, two Yellow-browed Warblers and one or two Siberian Chiffchaffs made the visit worth while. Otherwise the first Great Spotted Woodpecker for the autumn, lots of Robins, one Chiffchaff and a few Blackcaps...

White-tailed Eagle at Hellesøy

digiscoped Greater Black-backed Gull at Tjeldstø

Herdlevær and Hjelme

 Easterly winds and warm. Expectations were not high, the weather being too beautiful, but it wasn't that bad. Best was Hjelme with two Yellow-browed Warblers and a first year male Ring Ouzel. Further quite a few Blackcaps. Most birds in the air, though. Two Grey Wagtails, three Reed Buntings at Herdlevær and at Hjelme a Snow Bunting and a Yellowhammer! Enjoyable birding, but it could be better...

first-year male Ring Ouzel

The church at Hjelme

wagtail difficulties

Yesterday an Eastern Yellow Wagtail was reported at Herdla. A grey-and-white bird with a rasping call...

Today I went to check the bird and make sound recordings. Eastern Yellow Wagtail is very difficult to identify. A typical bird is grey and white without yellow and should have all its retained juvenile median and greater coverts, a long hind claw and a rasping call. This bird had some of these characteristics. It was basically grey and white, but with warm tones, not cold. The coverts seemed to be of one age, but I think that is difficult to judge. The hind claw seemed a bit shortish. But the call was striking: yellow wagtail, but harsh and rasping, reminding of Citrine Wagtail. Below a recording of it as well as a sonogram of the recordings. On the second recording, it seemes that the bird called a bit more as a western bird, but that is difficult to judge.

I don't know if this bird has enough characteristics for a positive identification, the NSKF has the last word

🎤Eastern Yellow Wagtail

sonogram of the first recording

🎤Eastern Yellow Wagtail

Hernar

 I already planned Hernar a few months ago on the 26th, so yesterday was the day. I was not alone to do so. Julian Bell and Roald Hatten were on the ferry as well. Because of the northern winds and the cloudless skies the expectations were low, but it turned out to be a nice autumn day in the field with loads of migrating birds and few on the ground.

We quickly found a Yellow-browed Warbler, which turned out te be best bird of the day. Other phylloscopus were three Chiffchaffs. Further three migrating Grey Wagtails and lots of finches, mostly Bramblings and Siskins with a few Goldfinches. We had good migration of Blackbirds, with some flying high in the skies. Five Reed Buntings were present around the marsh, where a Water Rail was calling. A migration and calling Red-throated Loon was nice as well...

Next Thursday again😊

Herdla

Today I decided to check Herdla. Very quiet autumn weather with a variety of birds present. A rather small gull flying over my head gave me some thrills. My first thought without binoculars was Little Gull, but when seen through bins it proved to be a Kittiwake in its first year. I needed the time to identify it, so no pics. Nice and for me the first time I saw this species on Herdla.

The weather was so quiet, that I thought most waders wood be gone, but there were plenty left. Worth mentioning are five Black-tailed Godwits and two Grey Plovers among the usual suspects. A hunting Peregrine Falcon made it difficult to scrutinize all the waders, but it was enjoyable anyhow. A little Grebe proved to be a new art for Herdla for me as well...and a tame Skylark gave good photo opportunities😊

🎤Brambling

22 september Herdlevær

 Spent two-and-a-half hour at Herdlevær, which was as to be expected in this time of the year. Yellow-browed Warbler of course and further seven Chiffchaffs, two flyby Grey Wagtails and a Tree Pipit there.  Further the first Brambling on the move with a group of 25 at Husvatn, Alvheim. On Dåvøy a group of about 20 Goldfinches and on Breivik, Kollsnes two Stonechats and a Goshawk gave views. No shocking events, but nice birding...

🎤Yellow-browed Warbler

🎤Crested Tit

Blue Tit, only two today

the omni-present all-weather bird: Eurasian Magpie

Turøy

 Turøy is very quiet with birds most of the time. But is has a lot of potential as the past has proven. I had a few hours off on Wednesday, so I gave it a try. And quiet it was. Only Robins, four Chiffchaffs and a Dunnock, which was calling well...

🎤Dunnock

Øygarden in summer weather

 Yesterday I went to northern Øygarden to kick off the autumn season. Not typical autumn weather with temperatures of 25 degrees Ceclius, light easterly winds and blue skies. After only half an hour in the field I heard a migrating Red-throated Pipit at Breivik. It called twice. Easy to recognize, but difficult to prove. I didn't get it recorded. 

Anyhow, Terje Hansen called me and told that he was on Herdlevær. After I told that the pipit only was a flyby, he continued to search for the two Barred Warblers that were reported on the island the day before. As he was already searching, I decided to drive to Sele to check the 'beautiful garden'. Apart from two Blackcaps and a few Chiffchaffs I didn't find anything else (I did hear a loud chainsaw though). In the meantime Terje had found the Barred Warblers back. I decided to check them. I had difficulties finding them. I did see a large grey warbler only in flight in the bombehagen, but I wasn't sure about it. After ca 1,5 hour searching on different points on the island I gave up. But driving away, Terje called me that they were present nevertheless. Turning back we (Jørn, Terje and me) managed to see at least one bird. Here a flyby Kestrel and Yellow Wagtail as well...

record shot Barred Warbler

young Tree Sparrow

Coal Tit

Herdla

 After weeks of continuous working, I took a stroll on Herdla today. Southerly winds and no rain. Lots of birds present with highlights being two Sanderlings, a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, three Green Sandpipers, three Wood Sandpipers and a few Turnstones. None of them showed well enough for decent pictures though...

Twite

Skylark

holidays in The Netherlands

Our holidays are spent on Schiermonnikoog in The Netherlands, with some birding in other parts of the north of the country. The first weeks of July are normally quiet, no exception this time...

In the wetlands around Groningen it is nice birding in summer with lots of waders, ducks and the like. Always Spoonbills around, as well as breeding Whiskered Terns. Two Flamingos giving distant views were a nice bonus. On Tuesday the 2nd I added a Cetti's Warbler near Groningen on my old municipality-list. At Fochtelooerveen I saw two or three Short-toed Snake Eagles (distant views though), some seven or eight Hobby's and a few Cranes. Long time ago for me😊

On the island of Schiermonnikoog it is the most quiet period of the year, but nice birding with a good deal egrets, Spoonbills and the more common species. Some pictures below...

adult Whiskered Terns

Great Egret on the Westerplas, Schiermonnikoog

Greylag Goose

 female Shoveler

 male Mallard

female Mallard with grown young

House Sparrow

adult Stock Dove

Pheasant

Cranes

Spoonbill has a breeding colony on the island of Schiermonnikoog

Spoonbill

Sand Martin

BRW still present

Visited the Blyth's Reed Warbler again today. Saw it this time, but no pictures alas. It was still singing loud, but different from as last week. Hear below. At Kalandsviken a few House Martins, a lone Swift and Whinchat with food for it's young, as well as the usual suspects like Reed Bunting and Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit

🎤BRW

🎤BRW

Blyth's Reed Warbler at Kalandsvannet (where else)

 Yesterday a fine singing male Blyth's Reed Warbler was found at Hamre at the Kalandsvannet. I visited this morning and could make some sound recordings despite the traffic...

🎤Blyth's Reed Warbler

 🎤Blyth's Reed Warbler

another new one for Bergen: Red-backed Shrike

 There was reported a fine male Red-backed Shrike at Tausamyrene, Gullfjellet in Bergen on Tuesday by Walter Lemme. I tried it this morning (had to hire a car, because Anne needs it for a week in Sweden😏). To my astonishment, I found a female before I saw the male (a pair!!). I was joined by Frode Falkenberg shortly after. Together we watched the birds for a while. Unfotunately the battery of my camera was dead before they came closer (the other one not with me…).

The birds seemed stable in the area and the area seems good for a breeding pair. Let's hope they stay and succeed in breeding and raising young! Anyhow, bird species nr 195 for my Bergen List😊

male Red-backed Shrike

male and female together (photo Frode Falkenberg)

Common Rosefinch in Bergen

 Twitched the Common Rosefinch at Kalandsviken yesterday. A new species for Bergen for a long time. It was a 2nd year male and was singing quite well every now and then.

🎤Common Rosefinch

Quick twitch on wednesday, beautiful White-backed Woodpecker on friday

Warm and nice weather, but also working. On Wednesday Eirik Adolfsen found a subalpine warbler on Herdlevær. It was skulky, but steady. I had only a couple of hours before work and drove from Bergen. At the spot the bird was still difficult, but after some 20 minutes it showed itself. It was a pale, female bird. I studied it for some ten minutes, before I had to go home again, not knowing which species it was, but later on the day pictures showed the tail pattern with a lot of white on T5 nailing the bird to be a Eastern Subalpine Warbler Curruca cantillans. Good work , Eirik!

foto's by Stein Rune Risa

On friday I made an easy walk at Kismul, resulting in the usual suspects as Garden Warbler and Icterine Warbler, but also a showy male White-backed Woodpecker. Not often this species is showing itself like this to me!

male White-backed Woodpecker

🎤White-backed Woodpecker call