Hazel Grouse is not a very rare species around Oslo but is
definitely not an easy species to find let alone photograph. I have found 3-4
sites around Maridalen for the species but even with this many sites to choose
from it is not every time I hear, let alone see the species so photography is
always going to be a hit and miss. If you click on the Hazel Grouse tag under
this post then you will see my various photographic attempts over the years.
Needless to say, expectations were managed ;-)
We walked 8km on snow covered paths and twice connected with
Hazel Grouse! First a pair and then a singing male. We saw all three birds and
one male even perched in the open at close range. But as always with this
species you have to be quick, very quick, with the camera. Mine was safely packed
away as I was focused on finding the birds but Bent raised his camera in time
but the d*rned autofocus would not lock on in a gloomy forest and after three
seconds there was a whir of wings and the bird flew 50 metres away. After this
all our sightings were of birds flying between trees and no photos ensued.
So three birds were found but the photograph will have to wait until another time – c’est la vie.
Here though is photographic evidence of the presence one of the birds.
Hazel Grouse (jerpe) dropping |
The Easter bunny is on his way to town |
And a short video of yesterday's Lesser Spot:
Did you need any kind of snowshoe to cover that distance?
ReplyDeletewe just had normal walking boots and although it was heavy going we were fine. After the recent snow though I would imagine that the snow has become quite deep and is also wet and heavy but walking boots are probably still OK although it will be a very good work out walking 8km now.
ReplyDelete