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