Arctic Tern

Since my last post I am proud to say that I have NOT been on a ferry or visited an island. Instead I have concentrated my nature observing on raptors, butterflies and although Maridalen does not get much attention at the moment an adult Arctic Tern was a good find.

The Hobby family has revealed itself to be three young and they are fast losing their downy feathers and exploring branches away from the nest. The Honey Buzzards have finally had an egg hatch and in 6 weeks time these will be leaving the nest and wondering why their parents took so long getting it on!

adult Arctic Tern (rødnebbterne) Maridalsvannet. A very scarce species in Oslo but in recent years has proved ot be regular at Maridalsvannet in early autumn

note the tail that is longer than the wings, all red bill and short legs which seperate resting birds from Common Tern

this year has been VERY good for Arran Browns (fløyelsringvinge) and there are many hundreds to be seen on short walks in the forest

and here with company of a Silver-washed Fritillary (keiserkåpe)

a montage of an Osprey on an unsuccessful fishing trip

a Purple Fritillary (eikestjertvinge)

and a male Brown Fritillary (slåpetornstjertvinge)

three juvenile Hobbies (lerkefalk). The bottom one is the youngest and is still quite downy and has yet to wander away from the nest

a terrible photo but this is the male Honey Buzzard (vepsevåk) that was feeding an unseen youngster with wasp grubs