Nyttårskryss

In Hordaland it is a tradition to do a three-day bird race around new year. The county is divided into four parts. Each year the birders in the different parts compete trying to see as many birds species as possible. Usually midt-Hordaland (with Bergen) is the winner.
I can only participate two days, since I have to work tomorrow. Today I tried some spots around Bergen. Bad weather with lots of winds...However,  a Great Grey Shrike was present at the Kalandsvannet and a Sparrowhawk flew over Lysekloster. Further quite a few Whooper Swans along the road to Os and a group of ten Mute Swans at Sveiasundet near Lysekloster. Otherwise not that much...

Water Rail

Tried the Jack Snipe, that was reported yesterday at Tveitevannet, but did not succeed in finding it. Had a Water Rail though. Otherwise just Blue Tit, Great Tit, a singing Greenfinch and a couple of Siskins.
Earlier this week I had a subadult Golden Eagle in Bontveitsdalen and a group of 25 Waxwings at Landås.

record shot of Water Rail

Snow, snow and snow

Rather busy with my new jobb lately and not a lot of birds around. But at Lagunen storsenter I had a flyby Water Rail this morning. Typical winter-with-snow sighting. Further a stroll with Hickman at Stavkirken. Lots of Blackbirds...Still waiting for a Pine Grosbeak in my garden.

Pine Grosbeaks, but not on sunday

On saturday more than 100 Pine Grosbeaks were reported. I had some other things to do, but on sunday I birded from dawn to dusk on Øygarden, almost sure to see Pine Grosbeaks. But alas, I couldn't find any, neither did anybody else.
It was, however, a fine day with a good deal of Waxwings, a fly-by Two-barred Crossbill (with it's typical trumpetter-call), several Goldfinches, two Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, a Grey-headed Woodpecker, a Lapland Bunting and lots of thrushes.

One of the two Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. This one at Herdlevær, the other at Sele.

Lots of Waxwings

After the weather change (snowstorms) of the last few days not many birds around anymore. But there are lots of Waxwings on the move these days. Had six groups, most of which were flyby's...



young bird