Yesterday (23rd January) there were four (4) Iceland Gulls Larus glaucoides (N=grønlandsmåke) at Hommelvik, Malvik, which is only a ten minute drive from home. One of these looked like it could be a Kumlien's Gull L.g. kumlieni which nests as far away as Canada. It was very difficult to get any good photographs due to strong, bright sunlight and the fact that the birds were a few hundred metres offshore.

Record shot of a possible adult Kumlien's Gull Larus glaucoides kumlieni. Hommelvik, Sør-Trøndelag 23.01.2012

Today (24th January 2012) was also quite good for birdwatching. Around the house there was a male Merlin Falco  columbarius (N=dvergfalk) sitting on a nearby tree  and an incredible 14 (!!) Hawfinches Coccothraustes coccothraustes (N=kjernebiter) sitting in another tree (not the same one as the Merlin, which is a potential predator!). Merlins are unusual here during winter, and it is unusual to see such a large number of Hawfinches at one site in Mid-Norway.

Adult male Merlin Falco columbarius Midtsandan, Malvik 24.01.2012

A record shot of one of the fourteen Hawfinches Coccothraustes coccothraustes at Midtsandan, Malvik 24.01.2012

A search today to try and locate any Iceland Gulls at Hommelvik proved fruitless. Nonetheless, there were lots of ducks to look at, as well as a few more "regular" gulls. The day was brightened up by a Wren Troglodytes troglodytes (N=gjerdesmett) singing merrily away in the sunshine. A bit early in the season, but nonetheless a joy to hear!

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Hommelvik, Malvik 24.01.2012