Ring-billed Gull

Ring-billed gull is (almost) seen annually in Norway. This year several were observed the first days of february, and one them was found by Inge Flesjå in Mandal 08.02. This is only the second observation in Mandal to this gull, and only the third in Vest-Agder. Here are some record hots of the Ring-billed Gull and also some photos of Mew Gulls from the same day.

 Ring-billed Gull

 Mew Gull

 Mew Gull

 Ring-billed Gull (in flight)

 Ring-billed Gull (in flight, to the right)

 Mew Gull

 Ring-billed Gull

Mew Gull

Mew Gull

Broad-billed Sandpiper, Lista Fyr

Abowe: Dunlin (left) and Broad-billed Sandpiper (right)
I took this pictures in Sevika, Lista Fyr, last spring (23.05.14). Broad-billed Sandpiper is an uncommon migrant in our Department.  Lista Fyr is an excellent place to watch birds, and the area has the largest species list in Norway.

Broad-billed Sandpiper.

Along the Southern Coast during the winter

Last weekend Finn and I decided to look at bird around Hille, one of the southernmost Islands here in Norway. There are not many birds around during the winter, but some birds are only found in the area at this time of the year. Here are some of the best birds seen during the trip.

 Purple Sandpiper, only present during the winter. Three flocks seen, the biggest flock counted 21 individuals.

 Purple Sandpiper

 White-tailed Eagle, third year (3K)

 Golden Eagle, second year (2K) This i a young bird. The species is only present during the winter, but also then seldom seen in the area.

 Little Auk

Yes, it is winter

This Eurasian Woodcock planed to stay for the winter. It might regrets, but now its too late. Its impossible to escape from the snow. I observed the bird at Toftenes some days ago.

Late Ruff

Ruff is not a common shorebird in Mandal. In May Claus and Thomas had two observations at Ryvingen. I have to say that  I was quite surprised when one Ruff landed just in front of me at Sjøsanden 25 September.

Rare birds alert

Several rare shorebirds have visited Norway this autumn. I managed to see a couple of them. First we had a Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Revetangen, Jaeren (02.08.12) . This one of the hotspots for shorebirds in Norway. One month later an American Golden Plover was observed at Lista. In october one of the other hotspots at Jaeren produced two Semipalmated Sandpipers. The birds were photographed at Nerland 22. October during cloudy and rainy weather.

Mandarin Duck

My second observation of Mandarin this year. Tee bird was discovered at Vigeland 12 of October, and  it stayed only two days.