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

Cinclus cinclus

Bird of Month March 2013

Sci: Cinclus cinclus, Eng: Dipper, No: Fossekall, It: Merlo acquaiolo, Fr: Cincle plongeur

Dear All,
Many probably recognise the Dipper, which is the Norwegian National Bird!
This one lives in a small river in Fana near Bergen (the commune where both Edvard Grieg and the fiddler Ole Bull lived).

Best regards,
Hans

Cygnus Cygnus

Bird of Month February 2013

Sci: Cygnus Cygnus,  Eng: Whooper Swan,  No: Sangsvane, It: Cigno selvatico, Fr: Cygne chanteur

Dear All,
Bird of the month is a typical bird to be seen in the winter in our area.

Note the difference between this "Singing Swan" and the Mute Swan (Knoppsvane), often seen in parks. The other bird has a 'bump' on the beak, and does not sing. This difference is accentuated somehow differently in  different languages. 

(Knoppsvane / Sangsvane, MuteSwan/ .., Cygne tubercule/ Cygne chanteur).

The birds in the photo were seen in a lake near Bergen. There were about 50 swans in the lake,
beautiful view!

Best regards,
Hans

Anas acuta

Bird of month January 2013

Sci: Anas acuta, Eng: Pintail, No: Stjertand, It: Codone

Dear All,

January is usually a quiet month, but not for me.  

I had nearly 40 new species in my collection during this month.

Of course most of these in New Zealand. 

Still, I decide to pick one of the two new birds I got in Norway this month.

Here is no doubt about the name, all these names indicate that this beautiful duck has a very long and pointed tail. This is not a common bird in Hordaland, but this male has been seen in a lake in Bergen throughout the winter, so it is well documented. 

NOTE: Aurora helped me with these photos!

Best regards, and best wishes for February to all of you. 

Spring is coming, birds are already singing in our garden!

-Hans