Nice!

Yesterday was hot and sunny but with southerly winds blowing new birds were bound to turn up. I visited both Maridalen and Sørkedalen and Wheatears, Whinchats and Pied Flycatchers were all in evidence plus the first two Yellow Wagtails of the year in Maridalen. A pair of Pintail resting on Maridalsvannet were also a clear sign of migration.

In Sørkedalen a fine male Red-backed Shrike was expected but not expected yesterday was a singing Red-breasted Flycatcher which is very early and bodes well for this species which seems to be establishing itself around Oslo.

The Steller's Eider is still present and people have been able to view it from the city waterfront and take pictures at a range of 1km!

The peak time to find a migrating Great Snipe is soon upon us and hopefully one will grace Maridalen. Rain forecast on Thursday night may well do the trick.

male Red-backed Shrike (varsler)

Camberwell Beauty (sørgekåpe)

this Pied Flycatcher had a song that had some elements of Red-breasted Flycatcher in it and also had very little white on its forehead

Pintails (stjertand) at long range

male Whinchat (buskskvett)