Snowy start to 2024

The period between xmas and New Year was spent in Sussex, England where it was warm and damp. I had hoped to find Waxwings when walking around but had to make do with Red Kite. Back in Oslo it is very cold with lots and lots of snow making it hard just to get out and bird.

A few visits to Maridalen have revealed that the Grey-headed Woodpecker and Great Grey Shrike are still going strong but there is little else to keep motivation levels and most importantly body temperatures up.

some landscape shots of the snow covered hills around Maridalen

Østensjøvannet is of course covered in ice but the remaining wildfowl keep a small area of water open where they are fed. The 3 orphan Mute Swans (knoppsvane) remain here although as this picture shows they are capable fliers

Great Grey Shrike (varlser) in Maridalen

and "red top" the female Grey-headed Woodpecker (gråspett) also remains although is reported very infrequently. This is the first time I have seen one eating peanuts - it is normally fat that attracts them to feeding stations

a long tongue

I didn't get a Shag down the docks but there was a Little Grebe (dvergdykker)

I have also visited Huk, Bygdøy for some year ticks including this Purple Sandpiper (fjæreplytt)by

a few Eider (ærfugl) were also present but there were generally very few birds on the sea