Snow Buntings

The last two days have been promising in Maridalen: the first flocks of Pink-footed Geese have migrated north and on the fields I finally caught up with Snow Buntings (others have been seeing them for a few days) as well as having my first Linnet and Reed Bunting of the year. Chaffinches are now all over the place, 3 Lapwings are back and with temperatures reaching double figures in the afternoon spring feels like it has sprung.

Last night I took Conor owling and we heard Pygmy Owl, Tawny Owl and Tengmalm’s Owl although activity was very low which surprised me as conditions had seemed perfect although it did cloud over which may have been the nail in the coffin.

male Snow Bunting (snøspurv)

the same male in the front and a presumed female behind

Goldfinch (stillits)

my first Lizard of the year

Two Buzzards (musvåk) in Maridalen

A flock of Pink-footed Geese (kortnebbgjess) heading north with 6 Barnacle Geese amongst them. These are probably proper will Barnacles on their way to Svalbard and it has become more common over the last few years to see Barnacles amongst the Pink-feet although the normal migration of Svalbard Barnacles is much later.

3 of the Barnacles

and a close up of one of the Barnacles with 3 Pink-feet

a caterpillar of Ruby Tiger Moth (rustvingespinner). The species overwinters as a caterpillar and they emerge early in the spring and then look for a suitable place to pupate