Siberian Jay 5 - Siberian Tit 0

The last day of the VENT trip saw us looking unsuccesfully for White-backed Woodpeckers (hvitryggspett) near Eidfjord. We did have a few commoner woodpand birds though including Marsh Tits (løvmeis).
Yesterday saw me searching for Siberian Tits (lappmeis) near Alvdal. This is the fourth time i have searched for birds in this isolated southerly population and for the fourth time I failed. They occur at very low densisty with Willow Tits (granmeis) being more widespread and Willow Tits were the only tits I found. The preferred habitat is a very special being highland pine forest over a lichen covered floor. Siberian Jays (lavskrike) were more obliging and I had a family party of 5 birds although due to the rain they did not show too well even though they came close.

bedragled Siberian Jay