Dotterel

Strong SW winds were forecast so it had to be another early start and seawatching from Brentetangen. I sat there from 0530 until 1000 in what one would imagine to be good conditions (the one other observer also believed we would be in for a good session) but as seems to be the case things were very slow. We did have single Arctic and Pomarine Skuas but but both were at long range and hardly breathtaking views. Supporting cast was made up of a flock of 7 Kittiwakes going north, a Fulmar and 11 Gannets. Red-throated Diver numbers were 23 north and 15 south which presumably were the same birds. A few Common Scoters were flying around and 65 Velvet Scoters went north. The odd auk sp. also shot throught but the range was too great to make a certain ID to species.

I decided to give Kurefjorden a half hearted try and didn't have to leave the car to get 2 Dotterels in a ploughed field. I even managed this video (you can hear how windy it was today)

A swallow species that flew past me was very strange, it seemed large, had a dark rump, white throat and underparts and appeared to have a bluish hue to the black upperparts. It went by very quickly and I have no idea what it was - perhaps a hybrid between House Martin and Swallow or just some sort of abberant Swallow?

Stopping at Maridalsvannet on the way home revealed the first Redshank of the year but apart from a couple of Common Sandpipers and Yellow Wagtails nothing else of interest.