Thank God for Grozzas

If it wasn’t for the influx of Pine Grosbeaks this late autumn then it would be very dire out there. This period of time used to be good for seawatching or perhaps an influx of geese but not this year and not for the last few years either. Up until about 10 years ago we seemed guaranteed to have a good storm which would result in lots of exciting seabirds. In recent years these storms have not occurred or when we do get some strong southerly winds they invariably bring very little with them.

The Grosbeaks might be brightening things up but they are not yet settled and quite a few people have really struggled to see them, if they have seen them at all. They are a very trusting species and often allow ridiculously close approach as this video taken with my phone taken around one metre range shows:

 

and of course the obligatory selfie with Piney

But when they are in a flock they rarely make any loud noises and can sit in the same tree for a very long time. It is only when they are scared or decide it is time to move on that they will make loud calls. Single birds are usually quite vocal as they are searching for their kin but once they have found a flock to join then they too become quiet.

unfortunately when I encounter adult males it is foggy and dark

here the sun is just shining through the fog

this bird with a lot of red is I presume an advanced 1cy male but could perhaps be a 2cy male

although all the preceding pictures are of birds feeding on rowan seeds they spend equally as much time high up in spruce trees feeding on buds

and also in this instance in a pine

it was pretty foggy at Tryvann when I found at least 35 birds. Here the 118 high telecom tower is just peeking out above the fog

there have been some other birds. Here a Blue Tit (blåmeis)

here a size comparison of Blue Tit and Pine Grosbeak

  

Waxwings (sidensvans)

and a Mistle Thrush (duetrost)

this Meadow Pipit (heipiplerke) flew up from the ground in Maridalen without ever making a noise which makes it a scary pipit. I don't think its hind claws look particularly long but cannot make it into anything else