Still working hard

No guesses for where I was today.

The sunny weather plus significantly higher water levels (and less mud) as a result of the earlier rain means that the number of waders has fallen significantly – only 15 Dunlin now but there is still variety and birds were dropping in for short periods of time before flying off. I actually ended up with 11 species of wader with in addition to the Dunlins also Ringed Plovers, Snipe, Golden Plover, Curlew, Greenshank, Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff and Little Stint.

Raptor were enjoying the sun and warmth with at least 8 Buzzards, 4 Sparrowhawks, 3 Hen Harrier, and singles of Marsh Harrier, Goshawk and Kestrel. Ospreys seem finally to have moved off.

Highlight of the day was again the Great White Egret which I spotted from the car along the river just south of Lillestrøm but it quickly flew off. The moulting primaries show that this bird was also seen on 8 September in Telemark.

no great views of the Great White Egret (egretthege) today

would have been a nice garden tick for someone though

map showing the bird's (as identified by its primary moult) movements. The records on 5th and 6th September are not documented well enough to see if it the same bird

this male Marsh Harrier (sivhauk) is very pale which is a sign of it being very old. I have never seen a bird like this before and it was a really interesting bird

from below you be thinking Hen Harrier possibly

chasing Teal

the very obvious white rump was also a feature that made one think Hen Harrier from above

one of 2 Cuckoos today. The other was the same brown bird I also saw the last 2 days