Today we went to a renowned Rosefinch location. As heard in the clip below, we managed to hear but not see them (probably two). A life tick as good as any, although it would have been better if we had actually seen a red red adult male. Of the more common birds in Sweden, I now only have three species left to tick in the category 'at least 100 000 couples nesting in Sweden. Black Grouse, Willow Grouse and Lapland Bunting.
Rosefinch
We walked on southwards and found Common Kestrel, Marsh Warblers, Reed Warblers, Whinchats, Common Snipes, Common Sandpipers, Woodcocks, Northern Lapwings and more. Then came the bonus mentioned above. It bore the shape of 17 Brent Geese heading north. Life-tick, but very odd for the season... Almost three hours after we started out, we also found a bus home.
Earlier in the afternoon I went to the on-campus pond again, and now all nine ducklings were there. They can probably fly now, but I didn't see them in flight. The Moorhen chicks were still four. A lot of Blue Tits had obviously left the nests and more or less swarmed in a tree. One of the resident Winter Wrens sang. Tried to get a good picture of the young Mallards, but it was hard even when they were posing in good light...
Mallards in Näckrosdammen (Water-lily Pond), Gothenburg
26 year old birder from Gothenburg, Sweden.
My goal for 2007 was get above 200 life-ticks. I managed 215 and the goal for 2008 was to get to 250. Right now it looks like I might get to 250 year ticks which is of course even better.
Mallards in Näckrosdammen (Water-lily Pond), Gothenburg