Locustella fluviatilis

No: Elvesanger, En: River warbler, It: Locustella di fiume, Sci: Locustella fluviatilis

Dear All,

A recurrent theme this year is rare birds in Hordaland. This Elvesanger  has been heard at night for about a week in the island of Radøy north of Bergen. It is years between every time we hear this particular warbler in Hordaland. Thanks to Harald Totland for arranging the excursion.

Check out my YouTube video (hear it singing)!

Best,

Hans

River warbler, Radøy, Hordaland, June 13, 2016

Emberiza pusilla

No: Dvergspurv, Eng: Little bunting, It: Zigolo minore, Sci: Emberiza pusilla

Dear All,

Happy leap-year! This winter has been incredible in our county Hordaland, with many very rare visitors. 

You will see some of them in the next months.

The little bunting lives in the Taiga of Siberia and normally migrates to north India and China. 

This one has stayed much of January and February in the same garden as the Oriental Turtle Dove of my December post!

Best,

Hans

Fana, Hordaland, January 2016

Alcedo atthis

No: Isfugl, Eng: Common kingfisher, It: Martin pescatore

Dear All,  Happy New year!

The bird of January is well known in England and Italy, but rare in Norway. This male has been visiting a salmon river at Osterøy near Bergen the last two winters. It seems to live well! The salmon in the last photo was too large to be swallowed, so it threw it away and went to get a smaller lunchpack. It is amazing how the color changes from green to blue depending on the light.

Thanks to Paola Zanna and Harald Totland for joining excursions to Osterøy twice.

-Hans

Osterøy, Hordaland, January 2015

Streptopelia orientalis meena

No: Mongolturdeldue, Eng: Oriental turtle dove, It: Tortora orientale

Dear All,

A very rare bird for the last post of the year. The Oriental Turtle Dove has only been seen around 20 times in Norway for the last 100 years.

This one has been around a garden near Bergen for the christmas week. It belongs to central Asia, but has 

evidently navigated wrong. It is very similar to the ‘standard’ Turtle dove, but quite a bit larger.

Thanks to Harald and Talina for joining in the excursion!

Best wishes for the New Year!

Hans

Fana, Hordaland, December 2015.