Feeling like spring

After the excitement of the Great Grey I have focused my attentions on Oslo in nearly spring like conditions over the last three days with temperatures reaching +10C. Of course it is still too early for all but the very hardiest migrants to turn up but I felt sure I would hear a Skylark or Snow Bunting flying over. A Shelduck though was my earliest ever though, the over wintering Oystercatcher called which definitely gives a feeling of spring, Wood Pigeons, Robins and Collared Doves are singing, the Purple Sandpiper flock has increased to 8 birds, the Water Rail is gaining a more adult like plumage and an unseasonal Kittiwake was on the fjord.

adult Black-headed Gull (hettemåke). A couple of individuals were starting to get their black (although they are actually dark brown) heads

Herring Gull (gråmåke)

2cy Kittiwake (krykkje) seen from Lindøya with Aker Brygge in the background

Oystercatcher (tjeld) - not long before this overwintering bird is joined by the first migrants

Purple Sandpipers (fjæreplytt)

a swimming individual. It is not too unusual for many species of waders to swim short distances

all eight birds

my first Shelducj (gravand) of the year

Robin (rødstrupe)

The Water Rail (vannrikse) is looking a lot greyer on the face (assuming it is the same bird) meaning it is coming into adult plumage