Some rather poor pictures

Friday was a really strange day. There was no wind, temperatures were around 4C, there was sun in the morning but there was a heavy frost that didn’t go away, footpaths were icy and there was more ice on Maridalsvannet today than yesterday.

I only permitted myself a hike in Lillomarka in the middle of the day (which are short now) where 2 Hazel Grouse were the highlight. They were probably a pair and the male sang quite a bit and even allowed itself to be photographed (although the photo will go in the crappy record shot category). No sight or sound of Pine Grosbeak though and the only woodpecker was a very noisy Black.

In Maridalen the Scaup was still on the lake despite the increased ice (ca.80%) and the Great Grey Shrike was back on his usual territory.

male Hazel Grouse (jerpe) 

I've never before seen a tree that bears quite so much evidence of the activities of a Three-toed Woodpecker

Great Grey Shrike (varlser) in Maridalen