Floods

I had an early start and it was only once I was in the road that I decided whether it would be a seawatch from Brentetangen or an Aurskog-Høland trip. Showers and reduced visibility put me off the idea of seawatching so I headed east. The weekend rains have left masses of flood water and although there were not huge numbers of birds it is looking good for later this week and next week when the waters receded and warm weather comes.

Wood Sandpipers have now arrived – I had birds in various places including Svellet where there were 18 today up from zero yesterday. I also had all three hirundines and there were quite a few raptors today with 4 Kestrels, Merlin, 2 Peregrines, 2 Marsh Harriers, Hen Harrier, Common Buzzard and Rough-legged Buzzard. Greenshank have increased to 80 in Svellet and the water level looks to have stopped rising and conditions are looking very niiiiiice.

Both the Tundra Bean Geese from last week were still around although had both had moved a little to the north.

A stop in Maridalen after lunch with showers and southerly winds was surprisingly quiet with no waders or ducks but my first Redstart of the year, a fine but unphotogenic male, was a bonus.

It was gloomy all day today and my pictures are a bit disappointing.

Kjelle today - compare this to how it was on 28 April

 

40 Golden Plovers (heilo) were on traditional fields near Haneborg

a 2cy Hen Harrier (myrhauk) most likely the same bird as I saw yesterday flew over us Svellet. I followed it in the scope and was completely unable to count the fingers - I am continually amazed how others are able to see this key feature of harriers without the use of pictures

Lapwing on eggs. A number of Lapwings were nesting on a stubble field that will soon be ploughed. This seems to be a problem at many sites with either the Lapwings nesting early or ploughing occuring late. We have to hope this red lsited species chooses to relay rather than abandoning completely. I put a stake in the ground by the nest so maybe the farmer will save the nest.

the stubble field with a number of nesting Lapwings. The farmer has already started ploughing to the left

Rough-legged Buzzard (fjellvåk)

same bird

Svellet - today's light makes it easier to see the mudbanks

waders in silhouette. In the inset once can see Redshank, Wood Sand and Greenshank

Tundra Bean Goose (sædgås) with Pink-footed Goose (kortnebbgås)