Smew, Pygmy Owl and of course Piney

Despite feeling the need (the addiction has returned) to see Pine Grosbeaks every day I do try to look at other birds. Since my last post I have seen Smew and Pygmy Owl at close range plus a whole load of Grozzers. The Grozzers are still fairly easy to find but I am far from certain that it is the same birds I am seeing in the same localities each time as their numbers and number of adult males varies every time. Strangely though I have not noted any viz mig birds.

The Pygmy Owl was in Maridalen and is my first sighting for a while and with luck I will be able to pin this bird down.

The Smew was at Østensjøvannet which is still heaving with birds and will presumably be so until it freezes over. Wigeon numbers have now increased to 250 which is an Oslo record and a Scaup is still present although may well be a different bird to that seen previously. Maridalsvannet has also got in on the duck act with some Common Scoters and Goldeneye moving through and with them a Velvet Scoter (very rare here) and a late Red-throated Diver. Two Guillemots also seem to have settled in and may well remain until it freezes over (which usually occurs a couple of weeks after Østensjøvannet due to the much deeper water).

The Grosbeaks are also attracting wider attention with both Birdguides and Ornithomeida writing an articles and using my photos and insights.

Smew (lappfiskand) at Østensjøvannet with some of the commoner inhabitants

distant Common (svartand) and Velvet Scoter (sjøoore) on Maridalsvannet

the white Coot (sothøne) still at Østensjøvannet

as is the Wigeon (brunnakke) x Mallard (stokkand) hybrid

a young male Wigeon coming into adult like plumage

a Pygmy Owl (spurveugle) is always guaranteed to make your day

and Waxwings (sidensvans) come close

But it is Pine Grosbeaks (konglebit) that are a completely necessary part of an addicts day :-) First some in habitat shots and then some close ups including ones taken with the built in flash