Monthly report June 2018
General: coverage and weather
Average temperature was 12.1 degC, 0.5 degC over the normal. Highest temperature was 20.6 degC (1st), and lowest 9.0 degC (21st). Total rainfall was 46.0mm. Most rainfall in one day was 11.2mm (15th). Highest wind speed was 20.0 m/s (14th). There were a total of 73 different species recorded during the month versus 73 the same month the previous year. 43 of the species are breeding species. There is still a challenge with reporting of the more usual species.
Raptors:
June means few raptor species on the island, but this year an excpetion. The month’s best find was a Hobby which was present in Sørevågen on the 16th and 17th. Otherwise the local Pergrines were reported and more than usual reports of White-tailed Eagle in various plumages.
Shorebirds:
During good wind conditions, strong winds from the West-South West can produce good seabird passage. In June this year there were no such conditions. The 15th was the only day with notable passage with a Manx Shearwater, a Great Northern Diver and three Kittiwakes from Jupvikshaugen. A Great Skua passed Spannholmane on the 17th. Other species worth a mention are an adult Tufted Duck on the sea at Spannholmane on the 17th as well as another flyby at Tuevågen on the 25th. Also two female Red-breasted Merganser in Beiningsundet was seen between the 15th and 24th. The newly opened and restored Veito resulted in breeding Common Sandpiper with fledgings noted on the 20th. There are two previous summer records with possible breeding record at Koltemyr in 1999 and 2000.
This year’s seabird survey at Spannhomane bird reserve was carried out on the 1st. The results were generally poor with the lowest numbers for Shag since surveys began in 1992. The year’s survey results can be found on Utsira council’s website: https://www.utsira.kommune.no/tema/natur-og-miljo/miljovern-og-gronn-profil/verneomrader-og-sarbare-omrader/spannholmane-naturreservat/sjofugltellinger-pa-spannholmane-2018
Passerines:
A Turtle Dove present in Helgesenhagen between the 12th and 15th as well as a female Black Redstart on the 2nd was the month highlights. A Dunnock which was ringed in May last year was controlled in Merkeskogen on the 8th.
Ringing:
A total of 31 birds of 12 different species were ringed during four days of ringing in Merkeskogen. The best day was the 6th when 13 birds were ringed of which Meadow Pipit (6) and Chiffchaff (2) were the most numerous. A Common Rosefinch on the 6th is a notable ringing record. The previous year resulted in 85 birds of 21 species being ringed during eight days of ringing.
Year ticks:
Turtle Dove and Manx Shearwater were the only new species for the year on the 12th and 15th respectively.
Rarities/local scarcities:
None