Sunday morning Naerlandstraen

Had to send my son to the airport so took the opportunity to do a few hours birding south at Naerlandstraen, perhaps one of my favorite spot for waders. The numbers are not as significant as in September but the regulars are there. The Godwits were noticeably absent. From a distance Grey Plovers were around too. Two Peregrine Falcon made several attempts during the 4 hours I was there, completely oblivious to my presence.

Late evening Reve

Late evening Naerlandstraen

Naerlande in August

This is the time for the return of the waders on their autumn migration south. Along with the adults, they youngsters make up quite a significant potion of the numbers. Most numerous are probably the Dunlins and the Godwits. Among the crowd are Common Ring Plover, Ruddy Tursntone, Grey Plover, Redshanks and other smaller sandpipers.

I put to use the EF400/4.0 DO IS II USM lens. Lightweight and sharp, it proved to be the ideal tool for close up shots of the small waders from just about the right distance (2-3m) where the 300 would be just slightly too far and the 600 just a bit too close. Next up would be to see how easy or appropriate this lens is for shooting with flash at night, to capture waders feeding after dark.

The lens+7DMk2 combo is light enough for sharp handheld shots without a tripod. The f4 provided the soft background quite nicely and sufficient light to shoot at 1/1600 secs on a bright sunny dat at Iso 400.

Focusing on moving objects is still something I need to practice on. Not sure if my inability to focus on the Godwit in flight successfully was attributed to lens autofocusing IQ or my own knack for panning.

There should be enough light and warmth the next couple of weeks to make several more attempts at Naerlande with this lens. Hopefully more waders pass this way as per past years ...

Images and words by Nazeri Abghani 30th Aug 2015

Purple Sandpiper at Tungenes Fyr, Randaberg

If it's one wader you could almost guarantee to see on the coast in Spring it'd be the Purple Sandpiper. Long before the Ruddy Turnstones, Redshank or the other waders return, you'll see them flitting about the rocky shores on the coast. These are cute little fellas, position yourself quiet enough along their feeding path, they'd come really close.

As the season shift from Spring to Summer, the focus returns to waders ... the long (throughout winter months anyway) awaited return of the waders. Northern Lapwing and Oystercatchers are slowly filling up the fields, their calls reminding you of that fabulous summer around the corner.

Purple Sandpiper is a great start to wader watching for the birding season.

Birding by Sandness Sentrum

Winter comes and all the ducks gather further south than they normally roam, once in a while you a see a nice mix of ducks in just one place. "Rafts" of ducks can be seen floating about in the fjord in the few days before the water freezes ... happy days indeed!

Birds close to home in Hundvag

Hundvag is an island, surrounding it is a body of water teeming with birds if you'd care to look. Best times are in the early morning, and late afternoon. There are always movements in the water of waterbirds foraging or flying overhead.