Monthly report November 2015
General: coverage and weather
Average temperature was 8.2 degC, 2.2 degC over the normal. Highest temperature was 12.4 degC (6th), and lowest 0.7 degC (22nd). Total precipitation was 173.7 mm. Most rainfall in one day was 18.3 mm (9th) measured 0700 (0800 summer time) for the previous 24 hours. Highest wind speed was 23.9 m/s (9th). All in all a normal November month with 74 different species registered compared to last year’s 91.
Raptors:
Six different raptors in the month are respectable. Sparrowhawk was reported almost daily with a maximum of nine on the 5th. Peregrine Falcon and White-tailed Eagle were also noted throughout with maximums of three and to individuals respectively. Of the scarcer raptor of note is a Goshawk from the 20th to 22nd. Rough-legged Buzzard was noted with singles on the 5th and 20th and a female Hen Harrier was present between the 3rd and 5th.
Shorebirds:
November can be a good month for geese and this year was no exception. 11 White-fronted Geese arrived on the 16th and stayed until the 19th when four were still present between the 20th and 22nd, followed by singles thereafter. On the 1st the flock of Pink-footed Goose increased to 14 until the 14th.
One of the Barnacle Geese from October was present until the 11th, with four new birds on the 16th and seven further birds between the 20th and 22nd. Both Little Grebes from October were still in Nordvikvågen the whole month. No divers and only a few Little Auks on passage indicate the passage and coverage during the month.
Two Glaucous Gulls in the harbors provided some satisfaction. A young bird in Sørevågen from the 19to to 21st and a 3rd year bird in Nordvikvågen on the 20th. Jack Snipe were noted with singles on the 16th and 22nd. Periods of rain resulted in seven Mallard, a Wigeon and a Teal in various pools on the 16th. Two adult Whooper Swans were also present in Måkskittmyr from the 18th and 22nd. A Water Rail on the 4th is also of note.
Passerines:
Short-eared Owl was well represented with two birds on the 4th and singles on the 5th and 18th. Single Grey Wagtails were noted between the 1st and 4th. Waxwings from October were noted only with a single on the 20th. An aberrant Yellow-browed Warbler was in Helgesenhagen on the 4th and 5th.
The first five days of November were good for larger flocks of Fieldfare, Blackbird, Redwing, Starling, Wren and Brambling. These species were noted with maximums of 1600 Fieldfare on the 5th, 200 Blackbird and Chaffinch and 50 Wren on the 4th along with 200 Starling on the 16th. In the middle of the month there were still smaller flocks on these species and small flocks of Siskin and over 60 Lesser Redpoll on the 22nd. The month ended with very few passerines noted.
Ringing:
The nets in Merkeskogen were taken down on the 1st so there is no ringing data for this month.
Year ticks:
White-fronted Goose on the 16th, Whooper Swan on the 18th and Glaucous Gull on the 19th were the only new species for the year.
Rarities/local rarities:
No records that would feature in the update of Fugler og fuglafolk på Utsira
A few more photos from November:
