Østensjøvannet

Friday’s attempt at finding Hawk Owl didn’t turned out as intended despite us driving many tens of kilometres of forest roads. We didn’t see much else either with no crossbills (nor Pine Grosbeaks (konglebit) which look like they might be about to appear in good numbers). Not a single Great Grey Shrike (varsler) either and a stop at Hellesjøvannet didn’t give much with a single Water Rail seen by chance through the scope along the edge of the reeds the highlight.

Waxwings (sidensvans) are continuing to arrive with four over the house today. On the garden feeders also a Nuthatch (spettmeis) and six Tree Sparrows (pilfink).

A family outing to Østensjøvannet in Oslo gave me my 149^th species in Oslo this year in the form of a Little Grebe (dvergdykker). I saw it first in flight and must admit I struggled for a while to identify it – it is not often you see Little Grebes flying! Also here a few Great Crested Grebes (toppdykker), four juvenile Mute Swans (knoppsvane) who have been left to their own devices by their parents, a late Moorhen (sivhøne) and a few Coots (sothøne), Tufted Ducks (toppand), Goosander (laksand) and Goldeneyes (kvinand).

The last two nights have seen heavy frosts and there was ice around the edges of Østensjøvannet still in the afternoon. Snow is forecast tomorrow night so winter is fast approaching.

Tufted Duck (toppand). The yellow iris indicates this is an adult female