The Fabulous Four

Just minutes after I posted last (and predicted a new yank would be found) a Black & White Warbler was found on the west coast. Two firsts for Norway on the same day will probably not be repeated again! The BWW was found in the field and was an awesome bit of a birding. The finder, Sigmar Lode, got some good pictures and then a twitch ensued with people who had been on their way to Utsira rerouting (and avoiding having to take a ferry) and converging on the woodland where the BWW had been seen. I understood that nobody else had seen it and there are definitely no photos other than from the finder but a number of listers have subsequently and without any fanfare added it to their lists. A number of other birders saw a Coal Tit…. 

The Cape May Warbler though has hung around and is still present today allowing it to be twitched.

All this has happened over 7 hours drive away and there is little chance of a yank turning up around Oslo although birds do do amazing things.

Yesterday, and for the first time this autumn we had strong winds from the south and I decided to sea gaze. There was a lot of rain aswell and I frequently had to retreat to the car but I did get some proper seabirds for my troubles. There was never going to be a lot to see on the sea as the southerly winds had developed too quickly but 6 Fulmar and 2 Kittiwakes was something to get excited about. The Fulmars were really enjoying the wind and arching high up in the air before disappearing into the waves.

Today was windless and felt like a good day to take the Beast for a long walk in the forest and that proved to be an exceedingly good choice! Hawk Owl, Pygmy Owl, Hazel Grouse and Three-toed Woodpecker all allowed themselves to be admired and admired well. At one stage I could hear (although not see) the last three species all at the same time. These four fabulous species are great for guiding but with 10 days quarantine for people arriving from overseas there is not likely to be anyone rushing over for a while…. 

There were also finally some finches although they were all heard flying over rather than being seen. Singles of Crossbill and Bullfinch were my first records for a while.

The Hawk Owl (haukugle) showed very well

The Hazel Grouse (jerpe) also showed well :-)

The Pygmy Owl (spurveugle) didn't disappoint either

male Three-toed Woodpecker (tretåspett) was also quite cooperative

he had a deformed bill so it will be interesting to see if I come across him again

Some videos:

The Pygmy Owl taken with the iphone

and a video of two badger that I ran into last night