OSLO BIRDER: Mid October update

The middle of October around Oslo can be very exciting but can also be disappointingly quiet. The last few days have been somewhere between these two. Jack Snipe is a species that it is easiest to find at this time of the year and I have managed to kick up birds in both Maridalen and at Fornebu but without getting photos or to see them on the ground – I definitely seem to have lost my skill at finding them before they fly up which has resulted in some memorable encounters in the past such as here or here.

Another expected goodie at this time of the year is Siberian / tristis / Chiffchaff which turns up annually at Fornebu. With such a distinctive plumage and not least call it must just be a matter of time before this is split into a separate species. I have seen a single tristis well over the last couple of days and there are also a handful of more normal Chiffchaffs but the majority of these have calls suggesting they come from far to the east – the “sweeo” call. One interesting behavioural difference that I have also noticed in previous years is that tristis is very often in reedbeds whereas the “western” birds are more often in the bushes and trees bordering the reedbeds.

The male Shoveler at Bogstadvannet showed well today in better weather, and without a dog pulling at the lead, than on Tuesday and seems to be very at home here although not quite as confiding as the local Mallards.

The highlight from Maridalen today was a Rough-legged Buzzard. Although I see them annually on migration this is one of a very few times that I have seen a settled bird although a Raven managed to chase it off.

Siberian tristis Chiffchaff (gransanger) at Fornebu. Note how it is brown and grey with the only green being on the front of the underwing, Note also the wing bar and jet black legs and bill. In addition the call is a give away