Getting fed up of the freeze

Back in Oslo I am now getting tired of winter. We have had one of the longest cold spells in Oslo for many, many years and there is no indication of it stopping. Temperatures have not risen above zero since 20 Jan and since 1 Jan we have only had plus temperatures on 16 – 19 Jan. Although I always say that I like “proper” seasons it does get a bit boring when nothing changes. One possible upside from this long winter is that we will get a much more noticeable beginning to spring migration when the thaw finally comes. One thing for sure is that we will not be seeing an early arrival of the Taiga Beans this year.

On Tuesday I had my first owling trip of the year, a year and a day since the first trip of 2024 which produced 11 singing Tengmalm’s. Owling conditions were good with no wind and temperatures of -14C but there was no moon which may or may not (depending on who you speak to) be an important factor. The result of the evenings endeavour’s was just a single Tengmalm’s which sang constantly and could be heard at over 2km range but which was not close to the road. It is still early in the spring but this disappointing result is I believe due to a collapse in the rodent population but there is still time for things to change and there are always local variations.

In Maridalen I have seen Pygmy Owls in three different locations over the last three days and all sat high and were easy to see which is how it should be.

 

I am guiding this weekend and on Sunday we will drive up to the taiga areas in Hedmark with the hope of Hawkie, Piney and Sibe Jay. It is forecast to be sunny with little wind but very cold but these should be good conditions.

I have had a chance to go through my Tromsø pictures on the computer so present a few more here.

a close Pygmy Owl (spurveugle)

Moose are becoming easier to see in Maridalen but luck is still needed

the Østensjøvannet Water Rails (vannrikse) have not been that easy to see so far this winter but this one showed well

Common Eiders (ærfugl) in Tromsø

a Queen Eider (praktærfugl) with her Common cousinns

from the left: female Common Eider, 2 different looking Queens, a young male Common and an adult male Common

Jack and co. are still going strong