Back in business

The last 5 days we have been downhill skiing at Trysil. Birding wise it was dire and in stark contrast to last year when Hawk Owls were a regular sight both from the chair lifts and whilst skiing. On the drive back today I had a quick stop at the floodlands at Starene where there were not so many birds as I had hoped but I did hear a Lapland Bunting.

In the evening we went beast walking in Maridalen. Things have changed so much in the course of a week! With temperatures at 17C all snow has melted although the lake is still frozen. The farmer was also ploughing the favoured stubble fields at Kirkeby so my chance of a Lapland Bunting here this year is probably over. There were a lot of Common Gulls on the field though so Med Gull must be a chance again this spring. My first Wheatear of the year was an expected find. The weather forecast is still for continued high pressure with hardly any clouds let alone rain so birding will continue to be hard work even though we are entering the best period.

Ring Ousel (ringtrost) in Maridalen

Wheatear (steinskvett)

Small Tortoiseshells (neslesommerfugl)