11th to the 17th of May
The week started with a change of weather with Monday being a bright and warm day. A visit to Reppen, one of my local marshes proved to be interesting. A Peregrine Falcon made an appearance, but was quickly mobbed out of the area by a hoard of Meadow Pipits and White Wagtails. I didn’t have to wait long before the next species turned up. The call of the Common Crane is one thing I look forward to hearing every spring and I was well rewarded when three birds flew over. During the following days migrants continued to arrive. Whinchats could be heard calling at several localities around Voss while I found my years first Pied Flycatcher. A trip to another local marsh on Wednesday produced a Whimbrel, not a common species here at Voss, but one that is recorded most years. I have also spent some time on the Hardangervidda. Birds of Prey seemed to be in good numbers for once with several Rough-legged Buzzards and Common Kestrels. As expected I saw both Shore Lark and Lapland Bunting but numbers seemed low. However, the best two species on the trip were undoubtedly a male Hen Harrier and a Hawk Owl (above photo). On the way home to Voss I had a quick stop at Ulvikpollen. Amongst the commoner waders that were present I found two Temminck’s Stints, a great end to the trip. On the Sunday I headed for the island of Sotra. A day on the coast would be a nice change from the mountains. The days birding nearly started badly as I nearly hit a Black Grouse that flew out in front of my car. Once settled at my watch point, I soon realised that the weather was not on my side. There was only a very weak breeze from the south west. Not the best of conditions for sea-watching. However, there was a steady trickle of Red-throated Divers, one Great Northern and a White-billed Diver that landed on the sea to rest. This gave me a good opportunity to study this fantastic species through the scope. On the way back to my car, an immature White-tailed Eagle flew low, giving great views. Unfortunately my camera was in my back-pack. Checking several localities on the island produced a scattering of Common and Lesser Whitethroats as well as the usual species. All in all, a great weeks birding.
