Catching up

The last few days have seen ill kids, celebrating Norway’s national day of 17 May in very special Corona restrictions circumstances and some trips to Maridalen and Nordre Øyeren.

Birds have been good with Wryneck and Three-toed Woodpecker in Maridalen, male Redstart in the garden, Collared Dove in Maridalen (MEGA), the first Tawny Owl chicks leaving the nest, singing Thrush Nightingale, displaying Great Snipe and Long-eared Owl. The only disappointment was that Nordre Øyeren is still not attracting any numbers of waders (or birds generally) despite the water levels still being very optimal. There was also been quite a clear out of resting migrant passerines in Maridalen although the first female Yellow Wagtails are now turning up (just males before). Southerly winds forecast from Thursday with possible rain at the weekend do however off up the chance of something good turning up in the coming days.

the Tawny Owl (kattugle) parents are of the two colour morphs. The grey bird is; I believe, the male 

youngster #1

youngster #2

youngster #3. In addition there was still at least one in the nest box. They have only been out 1-2 days but have already moved 50m

male Three-toed Woodpecker (tretåspett)

Tree Pipit (trepiplerke)

Venus at 22:14

Wood Sandpiper (grønnstilk)

Redstart (rødstjert) in the garden. The house is from the 1930's and the windows are probably original which becomes obvious when trying to take photos through them with a 600mm

Collared Dover (tyrkerdue) in Maridalen. This species is less than annual in Maridalen but the species seems to be doing very well this spring in the Oslo area