Hawkmoths from my garden 2014

Bredstraw Hawkmoth - Mauresvermer 06.0714

Pine Hawkmoth - Furusvermer 04.06.14

Elephant Hawkmoth - Stor Snabelsvermer 14.06.14

Elephant Hawkmoth

Poplar Hawkmoth - Ospesvermer 04.06.14

Privet Hawkmoth - Ligustersvermer 

Not birds but our biggest moths. They are really impressive and also colorful. Hopefully I will get some of them in the trap this year as well. 

Winter in Mandal

During the winter months we normally have some Common Coots, Little Grebes and Smews here in Mandal. But normally we also have a few uncommon Ducks. Here are some of the  observations of this species from 2014 and 2015.

 Common Moorhen, Buøya 11.12.14

 Common Coot, Mandal harbur 14.02.15

 Common Pochard, Skogsfjorden 14.02.15

 Greater Scaup, Leirvika 30.01.14

 Northern Pintail, present from 20.01-05.02.14 Skogsfjorden and Leirvika, together with Eurasian Wigons.

  Smew, male, Skogsfjorden 26.01.14

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.