There can be only one Highlander (or Oslo Birder)

Today was a red letter day day in the annals of the Oslo Birder. Today I became joint first in the all time Oslo listing and can finally rightfully call myself THE Oslo Birder 😉

Per Christian and I went for another owling session on Sunday evening with hopes again high as ringing sessions further north continue to net good numbers of Tengmalm’s Owls.  I have noted that the odd Long-eared and Hawk Owl have also been caught and the first species has especially interested me as it is perhaps the most blaring hole in my Oslo list. Conditions were good in so far as as there was not a breath of wind although a cloudy sky was perhaps not ideal. We heard no migrating birds (e.g Redwings) presumably as a result of the cloud but also did not hear either Pygmy or Tawny Owl which we heard on our previous visit. We did not see or hear any Tengmalm’s either but the night was more than saved by my missing bird – a Long-eared Owl flew over and around us illuminated in Per Christian’s torch. It was a real kick to watch it fly over silently almost bouncing on elastic wings.

Earlier in the day Mrs OB and I had taken the dog for a good walk in Maridalen where there were incredibly few birds. Two Wheatear were notable due to the late date and a male Three-toed Woodpecker enjoyable but otherwise it was eerily quiet.

There were no pictures of the LEO so I present what it means: 242 species in Oslo and joint first place with frenchman Eric Roualet. One needs to ignore Jack here who has somehow managed to get every species he sees to count twice (perhaps a perk of being both English and French 😀). Interesting though that foreigners top the list

male Three-toed Woodpecker

Wheatear (steinskvett) #1

and #2 which is an interesting looking bird with a rather extensive amount of black on the face