Helgeland 29th April to 19th May 2014

As usual I have spent a few weeks in Helgeland monitoring the spring migration of Barnacle Geese. Spring was rather cold, but it brightened up and turned warm towards the end of the stay.

Greylag Geese Anser anser (N=grågås), Vega May 2014

 

Greylag Geese Salvatnet, Nord-Herøy May 2014

 

 

Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis (N=hvitkinngås) in a snow-shower. Tennvalen, Herøy, May 2014

 

Barnacle Geese at the same spot as above in nicer weather!

 

 

Helgeland is also a good area to watch waders, with good numbers of many species breeding and/or on migration. Here is a little selection:

 

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus (N=tjeld). This bird was colour-ringed in The Netherlands and resighted at Tennvalen, Herøy on 9th May 2014, which is the first record of this individual away from NL.

 

 

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa islandica (N=svarthalespove). Tenna, Herøy, May 2014

The same bird preening. Beauty!

 

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula (N=sandlo). Tennvalen, Herøy, May 2014

 

Dunlin Calidris alpina (N=myrsnipe). Tennvalen, Herøy, May 2014.



 

Turnstone Arenaria interpres (N=steinvender). Tennvalen, Herøy, May 2014.

 

 

But the best bird of the whole trip was the wader I found on my way home on the last day of fieldwork! Its is also the worst photo I have posted to date on this blog.

 

Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor (N=hvithalesvømmesnipe). Ostjønna, Tjøtta, Alstahaug 19th May 2014. This is as far as I am aware only the 4th record in Norway, the three previous being from the south-west (Rogaland).