Whoopers

Grey, grey, grey. Been a while since I saw the sun and although it is above zero and the thaw continues it no longer feels like spring. I was out with James Ewen today with the hope of getting some footage but the rain and gloom meant that just wasn’t going to happen. We started at Østensjøvannet which is ice free and has now seen the various Mute Swan pairs take up residence again although it is still too early for any Great Crested Grebes (toppdykker) to have returned. A Great Grey Shrike was an unsual sight here but has been reported on and off for over a week.

In Maridalen we went searching for good film spots for beavers and succeeded in finding three dens (the word dam doesn’t feel right) and loads of evidence that they have been out and about all winter. We also saw tracks in the snow of Pine Marten (mår) an animal I have still to see. On Maridalsvannet yesterday’s record count of Whooper Swans had risen even more to 31 with just a single Mute to be seen.

I expect a scene like this on a "proper" wetland - not on my local patch!