Grozzas Galore!!

Yesterday I visited the Holmenkollen – Tryvann area for the first time in a couple of weeks at it was literally buzzing with Grozzas. I had at least 166 birds and this only from paths and the road whilst driving so the real number is probably at least 10 times as high. I also had 16 in Maridalen and the first birds have arrived at Ekeberg so I would not be surprised if there are 10000+ in the Oslo area. This then begs the question as to what percentage of the fenno Scandinavian population that represents. There are still loads of berries for the Grosbeaks (and Fieldfares) to eat but they are also often to be found in Spruce eating the buds.

I did not see Hawkie yesterday (or Wednesday) but he was very visible on Thursday when he hunted from wires and a barn roof.

An observation yesterday that wouldn’t normally be remembered was a small flock of Redpolls feeding on birch catkins. This species is pretty much absent this autumn and I have previously only registered single flyovers. It is interesting how different species occur in such varying numbers. Redpolls would normally be an easy species to see even if numbers can vary greatly from year to year whereas Pine Grosbeak is a species that most winters would be impossible to see around Oslo but right now is perhaps the commonest finch species.

First a video and some pictures from Ekeberg

this adult male was feeding on his own by the path when I heard another bird. I picked it up flying over quite high up and on its was westwards over the town. The male then started calling and the other bird turned and then dropped out of the sky. It landed and continued calling although the male soon fell quiet and it took a long time for them to find each other.

the other bird with the city in the background

a bit closer for some arty shots

and some shots from the Holmenkollen area

3 adult males together on a frosty morning

Long-tailed Tit (stjertmeis)

Hawkie on Thursday with the Tryvann tele tower in the background