Norwegian birding news:

November 2003

» Updated December 2nd

This period covers November 26th - December 2nd. Still quite high temperatures, but the birding activities during the weekend was seriously influenced by very bad weather in the west and south.

New Water Pipits

Special feature! We have gathered a collection of Eastern Yellow Wagtails that have visited Norway during October and November. Have a look at seven different individuals here >>

The highlights the last week was the discovery of another two Water Pipits, this time at Solastrand, Rogaland on the 28th and Eftang, Vestfold on the 29th. Two Water Pipits were also still with the personata White Wagtail at Nordhasselsanden, Vest-Agder on the 28th-30th. The Citrine Wagtail and at least one eastern Yellow Wagtail was still at Jaeren, Rogaland on the 1st, while the Desert Wheatear at Sjösanden, Vest-Agder was last reported on the 28th. The male Pine Bunting was seen again at Utsira, Rogaland on the 26th. A record-late Great White Egret turned up at Smöla, Möre & Romsdal on the 25th, and was still present on the 2nd (first Norwegian winter record). A so far unidentified Turtle Dove was taken into care at Glomfjord, Nordland on the 20th.

Lots of Tundra Swans
No less than 35 Tundra Swans were reported during the last week, including a record count of 28 at Jaeren, Rogaland on the 29th. The drake King Eider was again at Sirevaag, Rogaland on the 2nd, together with a first-winter Lesser Black-backed Gull. The drake King Eider at Herdla, Hordaland is also still present. A Green Sandpiper was still at Nesheimsanden, Vest-Agder on the 28th, a record late sighting for the Lista-area. A first-winter Glaucous Gull was at Lensvika, Sör-Tröndelag on the 25th. A Snowy Owl was reported from Skogsöy, Nordland on the 24th, while a Hawk Owl was at Volhaugen, Nord-Tröndelag on the 28th. Two Woodlarks were at Mölen, Vestfold on the 29th, and a Richard's Pipit was still at Nordhasselsanden, Vest-Agder on the 28th. A very late Barn Swallow was at Kolnes, Rogaland on the 1st, winter records of this species in Norway is, naturally, very rare! A Black Redstart was still lingering at Kolnes, Rogaland on the 1st, as was a tristis-type Chiffchaff nearby at Böstranden the same day. Single Two-barred Crossbills were at Tjötta, Nordland on the 26th and Fröya, Sör-Tröndelag on the 1st.

» Updated November 25th

This update covers November 19th - 25th. Temperatures are still around 5-10 degrees along the southern coasts, and the rarities keep coming!

First for NW Europe -
White Wagtail of the ssp. personata

Masked Wagtail Motacilla alba personata at Lista, Vest-Agder county November 21st. Photo (c) Martin Eggen | More pictures

A first-winter male White Wagtail of the eastern subspecies personata was found at Lista, Vest-Agder on the 21st. The bird was probably seen breifly during bad weather conditions already on the 15th. This is the first record of this distinctive subspecies in NW Europe. Previous records are known from Cyprus, Egypt and Israel. Another good find was a male Pine Bunting at Utsira, Rogaland on the 22nd, a first for the famous rarity hotspot. Four new Water Pipits were discovered in Vest-Agder, while three were still present in Vestfold county. This record influx is noted also in Sweden and Denmark, a new Danish record count of 67 birds were made at Vejlerne on the 20th. Other highlights include a record-late Great White Egret in Sveio, Hordaland on the 20th and probably the same bird at Söylandsvatnet, Rogaland on the 24th. The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Kolnes, Rogaland was last reported on the 21st. It's interesting how birders drawn to one rarity often find others - the sandpiper was originally found while searching for the Desert Wheatear that was nearby on the 15th, while birders searching for the sandpiper found a Hume's Leaf Warbler also at Kolnes on the 23rd! The first-winter Tawny Pipit was last reported at Taravika, Karmöy, Rogaland on the 21st, while the beaches at Jaeren still held three eastern Yellow Wagtails and a first-winter Citrine Wagtail on the 22nd. The Desert Wheatear at Sjösanden, Mandal, Vest-Agder was last reported on the 20th, while a first-winter male Black-throated Thrush was at Sangvik, Vest-Agder on the 23rd.

Snowy Owl in Telemark
A coastal Snowy Owl was briefly at Rödal, Kragerö, Telemark on the 19th, but could not be relocated the next day. A couple of young Glaucous Gulls were reported from Östfold and Rogaland, while a first-winter Little Gull flew south past Skogsöy, Hordaland on the 19th. A late Turtle Dove was in Oslo on the 21st, while another exhausted individual was taken into care at Melöy, Nordland on the 22nd. Late Richard's Pipits were at Jaeren, Rogaland on the 22nd and Lista, Vest-Agder on the 21st-23rd. An extensive search for late vagrants along the beaches at Jaeren on the 22nd produced no significant new birds, but 400 Rock Pipits, 140 Meadow Pipits, 34 White Wagtails and 16 Grey Wagtails were given a thorough inspection. A Shore Lark and a Lapland Bunting were also found. A Common Stonechat was at Vik, Rogaland on the 22nd-24th, while a late Whinchat was at Nesheimsanden, Lista, Vest-Agder on the 22nd. In total, four Black Redstarts were reported between Aust-Agder and Rogaland. 13 Great Grey Shrikes were also reported, as usual the highest numbers were in Östfold county with six birds the last week.

Migration trends and movements
Still above average with geese numbers, with around 350 Greater White-fronted Geese as the most out-of-the-ordinary occurrence. At Jaeren on the 25th there were 750 Greylags, 250 Greater White-fronts, 60 Barnacle-, 25 Pink-footed- and 6 Bean Geese. Two adult and two first-winter Tundra Bean Geese A. f. rossicus were at Grimstadvatnet, Möre & Romsdal on the 16th-22nd. The first flock of King Eiders, around 50 birds, had arrived as far south as Gimsöya, Nordland on the 21st. Single very late Barn Swallows were at two sites at Jaeren on the 20th and 21st, while local movements of Pine Grosbeaks in Mid-Norway produced 38 birds in Meldal, Sör-Tröndelag including a flock of 35 at Raudaasen on the 23rd.

» Updated November 18th

The highlight of the weekend was Norway's 7th Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, found at Kolnes, Sola, Rogaland on the 16th and still present on the 18th. A very unseasonal record. A first-winter Isabelline Shrike of the ssp. phoenicuroides was at Herdlevaer, Öygarden, Hordaland on the 15th, the 10th Norwegian record. Elsewhere, new Water Pipits were found at Böstranden, Rogaland on the 14th-15th and Moutmarka, Vestfold on the 17th, while the bird at Mölen, Vestfold was still present on the 16th. Three eastern Yellow Wagtails and a first-winter Citrine Wagtail were still at Jaeren, Rogaland during the period, while two new male Desert Wheatears were found at Solastrand, Rogaland on the 15th and Sjösanden, Mandal, VA on the 16th-17th. The male at Haatangen, Rogaland first seen on the 12th was reported until the 15th.

1 cy Turkestan Shrike Lanius isabellinus phoenicuroides in Öygarden, Hordaland November 15th 2003. Photo © Frode Falkenberg | More pictures

1 cy Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata at Kolnes, Sola in Rogaland county November 17th 2003. Photo © Kjell Mjølsnes | Large picture

Small influx of Black Redstarts
After a rather poor autumn for Black Redstarts, 8 different birds were reported along the southern coast between Aust-Agder and Rogaland. The drake Steller's Eider was still at Jaeren, while only two each of Glaucous- and Iceland Gulls were reported. A few very late shorebirds; a Ruff in Trondheim, Sör-Tröndelag on the 13th, a Green Sandpiper at Lista, Vest-Agder on the 15th and a Curlew Sandpiper at Jaeren, Rogaland on the 16th. A Hoopoe was at Eikeland, Rogaland on the 18th and two very late Barn Swallows were at Kvassheim, Rogaland the same day. Two Richard's Pipits were at Lista on the 15th and a male Common Stonechat was at Orre, Rogaland on the 17th. A late Lesser Whitethroat, possibly an eastern race bird, was at Jomfruland, Telemark on the 13th-14th. 8 Pine Grosbeaks were at Tydal, Sör-Tröndelag on the 18th and a Two-barred Crossbill was at Stalsberget, Östfold on the 15th.

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta at Randaberg in Rogaland November 15th 2003. Photo © Kjell Mjølsnes | Large picture

Northern Hawk Owl Surnia ulula at Klaebu, Sör-Tröndelag November 16th 2003. Photo © Kjetil Solbakken | Large picture

Influx of Greater White-fronted Geese
An influx of geese of eastern origin brought around 400 Greater White-fronted Geese to southern Norway, 2-300 of these were at Jaeren on the 14th-15th with smaller numbers in Hordaland, Vest-Agder and Vestfold. Together with these were around 50 Bean Geese, of which at least one at Taravika, Karmöy, Rogaland on the 14th-15th appears to be a Tundra Bean Goose A.f. rossicus. Single Northern Hawk Owls were at Holtskog, Telemark on the 14th, at Vassfjellet, Klæbu, Sör-Tröndelag on the 16th and Aanegga, Rennebu, Sör-Tröndelag on the 16th.

» Updated November 13th

The last week we've seen some strange weather, from a record-breaking 21.8 degrees in Möre & Romsdal late last week back to more normal temperatures. Nordland had gale force winds from SW on the 6th, while the southern parts have had both pleasant weather and temperatures for most of the period.

Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti at Håtangen in Rogaland county November 12th. Photo (c) Kjell Mjölsnes | More pictures

Water Pipits and rare Wheatears
A record influx of five Water Pipits between the 7th and 12th will double the Norwegian total if all are accepted, most or all have been well documented. This influx coincide with hight numbers in northern Denmark and along the Swedish west coast. Finally a few rare wheaters made it to Norway as well. A male Pied Wheatear was at Sangvik, Vest-Agder on the 9th-11th and a male Desert Wheatear was found at Haatangen, Jaeren, Rogaland on the 11th (still present). The latter is a part if a minor influx to NW Europe, six birds were seen various places on the 9th. Other highights include the American Black Duck still at Surnadal, Möre & Romsdal, now believed to be an adult female of hybrid origin. See a picture here. A Black-necked Grebe was at Mölen, Vestfold on the 6th, while the long-staying individual is still present in Kurefjorden, Östfold. The long-staying drake Surf Scoter at Lista, Vest-Agder was joined by another adult drake on the 7th-12th. A first-winter Herring Gull believed to be of the ssp. smithsonianus was reported from Sjösanden, Mandal, Vest-Agder on the 8th-11th. A late Turtle Dove was at Haatangen, Rogaland on the 8th-9th and a Hoopoe was in Stavanger, Rogaland on the 10th. A Northern Hawk Owl was at Straadalen, Nord-Tröndelag on the 7th. The first-winter Tawny Pipit was still at Taravika, Karmöy on the 12th, while a first-winter Citrine Wagtail was still at Vik, Rogaland throughout the period. A record influx of Yellow Wagtails of eastern origin continues, with four new birds found during the last week and one still lingering with the Citrine Wagtail at Vik. Three different birds were at Revtangen, Rogaland and one in Trondheim. In total, at least eight birds have been reported so far since the end of October. A late Pallas's Leaf Warbler was trapped at Store Faerder, Vestfold on the 5th and still present on the 11th. Single Yellow-browed warblers were at Straaholmen, Telemark on the 7th, and in Stavanger, Rogaland on the 9th. A first-winter Rosy Starling was at Solasjö, Rogaland on the 6th. A flock of 40 Pine Grosbeaks was at Straadalen, Nord-Tröndelag on the 7th.

Migration trends
No less than six White-billed Divers migrated past Jaeren on the 11th with six more reported elsewhere in the south. Some late movements also of Red-throated Divers, with 77 past Stad, Sogn & Fjordane on the 8th and 91 past Eigeröy, Rogaland on the 12th. An influx of Bewick's Swans and Geese brought 9 Bewick's Swans, 22 White-fronted-, 12 Bean-, 6 Pink-footed-, 35 Barnacle- and 29 Greylag Geese to Utsira, Rogaland on the 13th. In addition, 13 Bewick's Swans were in Tjeldsömarka, Hordaland on the 10th and five more were at Jaeren. 30 White-fronts were also at Lista, Vest-Agder on the 13th. A huge passage of Little Auks took place past Jaeren on the 9th, with 2000/hour going south in the morning and 1000/hour still moving in the afternoon. 8460 were counted going south past Eigeröy on the 12th, together with 400 Razorbills and 790 Black-legged Kittiwakes.

» Updated November 4th

Tawny Pipit at Karmöy

Tawny Pipit Anthus campetris at Karmöy in Rogaland county November 2nd. Photo (c) Alf Tore Mjøs | More pictures

The highlight of the week was once again a vagrant from far away that had settled at Karmöy - A strangely pale-lored tawny Pipit was found at Taravika on the 1st and still present on the 4th. The site is only about 15 minutes drive from the where the ovenbird was last weekend. A probable Blyth's Pipit has been tentatively identified as that species "with 99% certainty", it has been seen repeatedly together with 1-2 Richard's Pipits at Aaros, Vest-Agder on the 2nd-4th. Other highlights include the first Great Bittern of the autumn at Bjaarvann, Rogaland on the 3rd, a blue morph Snow Goose of unknown origin at Örlandet, Sör-Tröndelag on the 30th-2nd and the American Black Duck still at Surnadal, Möre & Romsdal until the 3rd at least. A juvenile White-rumped Sandpiper was at Revtangen, Rogaland on the 31st-1st (only the second juvenile to be recorded in Norway). A late Citrine Wagtail and at least one eastern Yellow Wagtail was at Vik, Rogaland on the 1st-4th and another eastern Yellow Wagtail was at Fuglingane, Rogaland on the 30th. A Pallas's Leaf Warbler was at Bjaarvann, Rogaland on the 3rd and a Dusky Warbler was at Arsvaagen, Rennesöy, Rogaland on the 4th.

A late Red-breasted Flycatcher at Sula
A rather late adult male Red-breasted Flycatcher was trapped and ringed at Sula, Sör-Tröndelag on the 1st. There are only a handful of November-records in Norway. Pictures here. Other scarce birds include a European Storm Petrel at Kurefjorden, Östfold on the 28th, three Glaucous Gulls and an Iceland Gull flying past Svellingan, Nordland on the 29th and a first-winter Glaucous Gull at Revtangen, Rogaland the next day. A European Turtle Dove was at Laukvik, Nordland on the 30th, and a Northern Hawk Owl was trapped and ringed far west at Hovden, Möre & Romsdal on the 1st. Single Eurasian Hoopoes was in Hemsedal, Buskerud on the 28th and still at Smöla, Möre & Romsdal on the 31st. A very late Tree Pipit was at Jomfruland, Telemark on the 30th-31st. Lots of effort was put into an extensive search for rare wheatears and other vagrants along the coast at Jaeren. No rare wheaters turned up, but eight Northern Wheatears were recorded along with 20 Grey-, 4 Pied-, and 30 White Wagtails. A Richard's Pipit was found at Skeie, Rogaland on the 2nd. In addition, two birds have been at Sögne during the last couple of days, together with the probable Blyth's Pipit there. A Two-barred Crossbill was at Volhaugen, Nord-Tröndelag on the 4th.

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