Geese and seaducks

It's been a few days since I last updated this blog. Last week I visited Nordland county, partly holiday and partly work. The first Barnacle geese Branta leucopsis (N = hvitkinngås) arrived on the island of Vega on 19th April, having travelled from the Solway Firth in UK.

Barnacle geese at Vallsjø, Vega

On both the northward and southward journey we stopped to check flocks of Pink-footed geese Anser brachyrhynchus (N = kortnebbgås). We saw over 26,000 from the main road (E6) during our journey north on 18th April.

Pink-footed geese taking flight Hyllbukta, Røra

Part of a flock of over 5,000 Pink-footed geese at Klingsundet, Snåsavatnet

Back home in Malvik municipality seaduck numbers have dwindled somewhat in recent days. Common Eiders have been observd heading east (to breeding grounds in the Baltic!), Velvet Scoter numbers have dropped, yet there are still many hundred ducks at Midtsandan, including 500 - 700 Long-tailed ducks. 

Velvet scoters Midtsandan 27th April 2011

Long-tailed duck Midtsandan 27th April 2011

Mixed seaduck flock Midtsandan (Common eider, Velvet scoter, Long-tailed duck and one drake Greater Scaup, also Herring gull)