Saturday 7 May 2011

Northern Norway pt 2

Today is our first full day in the field and it has taken a few hours to become acclimatised to the birding.  We have travelled through mixed taiga forest, alongside many fjords and then on to sub-tundra.  The weather has been very changeable from pure blue sky to heavy rain, and surprisingly a large amount of snow still on the ground.  I woke at 2.45am in full sunlight and birded immediately. The temperature was minus 1 degree.  As I write this it is now nearly 11 o'clock local time, minus 3  and my eyes are nearly closed! 

I have posted some shots below but photography was generally difficult.  In addition, we also saw a few White-tailed Eagles, several Rough-legged Buzzards, many Fieldfare and Redwing in full song, Brambling, Waxwing, Pine Grosbeak, Parrot Crossbill, Siberian Tit, White-billed Diver, Bean Geese, Common Crane feeding on the tundra, Spotted Redshank in summer plumage and Snipe drumming.  Sea duck were numerous.  Tomorrow we bird Veranger Fjord properly.  



1 comment:

  1. Good luck Steve, great shot of the bear. I reckon you will need a week off when you get back.
    Sam

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