The island of Tautra is full of surprises

On Saturday (12th March) I went to the island of Tautra. The plan was to enjoy the first signs of spring, and Tautra is a great place to see the first early migrants. First on the cards was several small flocks of Eurasian oystercatchers.

Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus (N=tjeld)

There was also a female King Eider Somateria spectabilis together with the Common Eiders. I didnæt get any photos of the King Eider, but there were close views of the Commons.

A pair of Common Eiders Somateria mollissima (N=ærfugl)

But I certainly was not alone at Tautra today. Usually I meet a few of the local birders, but today there were 40-50 or so:

Just what are these people looking at?

I hadn't heard the news before I arrived at Tautra, but there was a MEGA bird that was first spotted the day before. Norway's 4th (?) ever find of Siberian Scoter!! It was never close to land so we all managed little better than some record shots. Here is the best I managed:

Male Siberian Scoter Melanitta (deglandi) stejnegeri. Record shot where you can just about make out the characteristic bill shape including the knob on the upper mandible.