I feel I have to squeeze in some birding every day at the moment. In the same way that birds are mysteriously drawn to migrate in the spring so are birders mysteriously drawn out into the field at every opportunity. Yesterday again saw me taking the bus out to Bygdøy after work in the hope of discovering flocks of migrating geese and you name it. My expectations do seem to be a bit high at the moment though because despite southerly winds and the thaw setting it in for full, it is obviously still a bit early for the birds. Presumably there is not yet enough insect food and the birds can just sense this. Greylag Geese numbers were halved from Monday with the birds having moved onto other sites such as Østensjøvannet. Canada Geese had increased to 8 though with a Canada x Greylag hybrid which has to be one of the most ugly creatures in existence – surely god/evolution never intended these 2 species to be able to combine in this way. The flood waters continue to rise but there were no interesting ducks, geese or waders to be found –yet. Over the course of 2 hours, 4 Lapwing and an Oystercatcher came and went, a pair of Shelduck flew over, a Buzzard migrated north, 3 Chiffchaffs revealed themselves including one singing, 9 White Wagtails were around the margins of the lake (favouring areas of ice), 2 Grey Wagtails and best of all 2 Rock Pipits. The Rock Pipits were very inconspicuous and were feeding around an area of reeds. We studied them carefully hoping to turn them into Water Pipits but were unable to but never mind Rock Pipit is also a local rarity and this was a good record. They were of the Scandinavian race and were coming into summer plumage . This picture shows Hengsenga, the area of Bygdøy that I focusing my attentions on at the moment.

And here a picture of a bush, blue sky and my first warbler of the year.The year list is now at 90 species with I think 19 additions in the last 4 days.