16th to the 22nd of March
A mixed week weather wise with days of pouring rain, warm with bright sunshine, ending on Sunday with heavy snow showers. On the 16th it was raining for most of the day. Thinking that I would get some shelter in the woodlands I spent most of my time checking out two or three different areas. Other than the most common species, there was very little of interest though 3 Eurasian Treecreepers (2 males – 1 female?) seemed oblivious to the pouring rain and were displaying/fighting with each other, I was surprised at just how aggressive they were. The 17th was a great day with the highlight being a pair of Golden Eagles. On the 18th I once again visit woodland habitat, I was looking for woodpeckers and wasn’t disappointed with both Green and Great-spotted. That evening I was out and about listening for owls. I was told about calling Tengmalm’s Owl, Unfortunately I didn’t hear one, but there were a few Tawny Owls calling. Some of the early spring migrants have increased with numbers of both Common Teal and Northern Lapwing building up, while on the 20th I had this year’s first Wood Pigeon here at Voss. On the 21st I managed a short hour or so at Herdla on the island of Askøy. Here spring had come a lot further with displaying Common Shelduck, Eurasian Oystercatcher and Northern Lapwing. Velvet Scoter were still in good numbers though I only found one pair of Long-tailed Duck. Other Than the Oystercatchers and Lapwings, the only other waders I found were 2 Ringed Plover and a single European Golden Plover. Other interesting species included the long staying Great-crested Grebe and my years first Snow Bunting. I most probably could have found more than the 27 species I saw if I had more time and there weren’t so many people about.