More August Guiding

In a sign that Europe is getting on top of Corona I was guiding French couple Patrick and Francoise yesterday. Vaccinations and the accompanying certificates are now allowing people to travel once again which means foreign birders can again visit Norway. It is too late to save this year for me but hopefully next year will be better – I had initially thought that people would travel less once the crisis had passed but I now actually believe that in the first year, at least, people will be very hungry to travel again as staycations do lose their appeal after a couple of years...

Yesterday’s guiding was focused on photography and although there was surprisingly little avian activity we did see (and photograph) a good numbers of species including Red- and Black-throated Divers, Goshawk, Whooper Swan, Red-backed Shrike and many other commoner birds plus nice encounters with Roe Deer, Adders and butterflies. We also got to enjoy the lovely scenery that Oslo has to offer and an enjoyable (if slightly wet at times) day was had 😀

Whilst guiding I do not prioritise my own photos but did mange some shots I was happy with.

this family of Red-throated Divers (smålom) has given me lots of enjoyment over the summer and will be the subjet of their own post later in the year. If you would like to see/photograph them then let me know

a young Goshawk (hønsehauk) screaming for food although I think the adults have left her to her own devices now

another young Goshawk with a full crop which is hopefully a sign that it has mastered the art of hunting

young Red-backed Shrike (tornskate)

Spotted Flycatchers (gråfluesnapper) seemed to be everywhere and many young were seen

White Wagtails (linerle) were also very numerous

Whooper Swans (sangsvane)

Adders (hoggorm)

Black-throated Diver (storlom)

Goosander (laksand) on Maridalsvannet

Silver-washed Fritillary (keiserkåpe) on devil's-bit (blåknapp)

a pair of Roe Deer in a field of oats. It is mating season for Roe Deer and they are very easy to see (and hear)