Galerida cristata

Bird of month July 2013

Sci: Galerida cristata, No: Topplerke, Eng: Crested lark, It: Capellaccia, Fr: Cochevis huppé 

Dear All,
This months bird is a greeting from our holiday in Puglia, near Bari Italy, where the Crested lark is commonly seen near the sea in grassy fields. This bird was the favourite bird of Francis of Assisi, due to its humble behaviour picking grains on the ground and praising God with its song.

In Norway the Crested lark bred in earlier days, but last breeding bird in Norway was observed in 1972. According to artsobservasjoner.no, it has been observed in Norway only three times in the last decade, so it is essentially extinct in our country.

Best regards,
Hans

Fratercula arctica

Bird of month June 2013

Sci: Fratercula arctica, No: Lunde, Eng: Puffin, It: Pulcinella di mare, Fr: Macareux moine

Dear All,

This week Harald Totland and myself spent a day at the island Runde on the northern part of the Norwegian west coast. A truly spectacular site, highly recommended!

We did see an Avocet (Avosett) on a small island near Runde. This is almost a sensation, since

the Avocet is only seen a few times every year in Norway. This was the second bird seen so far this year. 

HOWEVER .... in my selection of Bird of Month, aesthetic criteria are stronger than ornithological. Under this condition is should be no big surprise that the winner of the month is the Puffin.

The view of the Puffins coming back in the evening sun, going into their caves in the steep cliff is a spectacular event that we will never forget.

Best,

Hans

Aix galericulata

Bird of month May 2013

Sci: Aix galericulata, Eng: Mandarin duck, No: Mandarinand, It: Anatra mandarina, Fr: Canard mandarin

Dear All,
My bird photo for May is this very photogenic Mandarin duck. It was sometimes in the past introduced to Europe from China. However, since it is breeding naturally in (parts of) Europe, it is now counted among the wild birds of Europe. This winter there has been a mandarin duck residing in Voss, about 100 km from Bergen. A few days ago a mandarin duck appeared in Ortuvannet, Bergen. Perhaps it is the same duck that has come for the Bergen International Festival (Festspillene)?

This is a joint observation with Harald Totland.

-Hans

Motacilla cinerea

Bird of month April 2013

Sci: Motacilla cinerea, 
No: Vintererle, Eng: Grey wagtail, It: Ballerina gialla, Fr: Bergeronnette des ruisseaux

Dear All,

My bird of this month, the grey wagtail, is a cousin of the common wagtail (linerle) living near rivers and streams. It is not a common bird in West-Norway, but more frequently seen around the Oslo fjord. This is a male, seen from the black throat in second photo. Note that there exists also a "Gulerle" (Yellow wagtail), which does not have a grey head, and not as long tail as this one. I think the Italian name "yellow ballerina" is much more poetic than the English "Grey wagtail", although the English name helps distinguish it from the Yellow Wagtail.


Thanks to Harald and Aurora for helping finding this in Nestun near Bergen.

Best regards,
Hans