Gloomy but no rain

I missed completely last year's autumn migration ... still haven't figured what exactly happened. Went on a short two weeks holiday to Kuala Lumpur, came back, and the running around at the start of school year started and never ended. That was all of 2016 birding  over in a flash... not much birdwatching took place.

This year 2017, I popped over to Sandness Havn for the usual suspects wintering at Gandalfjord. Local weather being warmer than the past few years (warmest yet at 4-5 deg C this year in the midst of Jan). Saw a couple of cormorants, several swans, Tufted Ducks and a single Goldeneye on one particular Sunday. There were no Common Widgeon spotted.  It used to be much more festive during colder winters of previous years.

Tried again over the past weekend at Risavika Havn. First with a scope than followed up with the 400mm. There were Common Scoter (Melanitta fusca), Black Scoter (Melanitta nigra), Goldeneye, Common Eider, Common Widgeon and Mallards. It was pretty interesting watching the M. fusca diving in for mussels. First ever sighting of a first winter M. nigra for me this year.

After Risavika, I took a quick detour to Sola airport. With parts of the Sola splitten road almost completed, the ducks are back. Saw many Mallards and Common Scaup (Athya marila) both adults and first winter juveniles.

Must go back with the 600mm ... if only the sky stays clear and dry.