Back in Oslo

Back in Oslo I have seen my first Common Rosefinch and Marsh Warbler and therefore all the common summer migrants of the Oslo area are back. Migration of waders and ducks is all but over but the end of May is the time for proper rarities to turn up. My focus however is going towards breeding birds and the last two days I have visited Sørkedalen, Maridalen and Nordre Øyeren. Interesting breeders I have encountered include Long-eared Owl, Whooper Swan, Garganey, Little Ringed Plover, Three-toed Woodpecker, Goshawk and Red-breasted Flycatcher but notable absences are Wood Warbler, Wryneck and Red-backed Shrike which seem to be here in very low numbers (so far) this year. Pied Flycatchers seem to be abundant but I have yet to find any breeding Tawny Owls so far and fear that the winter paid a terrible toll on this species.

Sand Martins look like they might breed in both Maridalen and Sørkedalen which are the only breeding sites in Oslo. Lapwings are also present in both valleys with two pairs sitting in Sørkedalen but seemingly only one pair remaining in Maridalen and I don’t think they have laid yet.

Red-breasted Flycatcher (dvergfluesnapper)

male Common Rosefinch (rosenfink)

female Common Rosefinch

a young male Common Rosefinch with brown tones in the rather limited red

Spotted Flycatcher (gråfluesnapper)

adult male Goshawk (hønsehauk)

a late Pink-footed Goose (kortnebbgås)

male Garganey (knekkand) - there a number of birds around Nordre Øyeren

this pair looks like it will breed

Long-eared Owl (hornugle) on the nest

an old male Marsh Harrier (sivhauk)

a young White-fronted Goose (tundragås) that has recently turned up at Østensjøvannet

female Little Ringed Plover (dverglo)