Eiders, Purple Sandpipers and Iceland Gull

At last we can really notice the increase in daylength from day to day. With fairly cold and clear weather and even some sun (!) then it is nice to be out birding. Below are a few photos taken in the last couple of weeks.

Common Eiders Somateria mollissima (N=ærfugl), Hommelvik

Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima (N=fjæreplytt), Midtsandan

....having a good scratch.

Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides (N=grønlandsmåke) (right) with Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus (in background, left), Hommelvik. The Iceland Gull is a 2nd calendar-year bird, whereas the Black-headed is a full adult in winter plumage.

The same Iceland Gull, with an adult Herring Gull Larus argentatus (N=gråmåke) in background.