December 2019

Monthly report December 2019

General: coverage and weather
Highest temperature was 10.1 degC (20th), and lowest was 1.2 degC (27th). Wettest day was with 30.6mm precipitation (11th) and highest wind speed was 25.3 m/s (9th). The total number of species for December ended on only 39 compared to the comparatively low December 2018 when 44 species were recorded. There is probably under reporting in artsobservasjoner.no.

Raptors:
Sparrowhawk were noted with a few single observations during the period 4th to 30th. Otherwise the local Peregrine Falcons (up to two birds) and up to two White-tailed Eagle were noted through the month.

Shorebirds:
The only notable species in this group was a 3rd year Iceland Gull that was present at various localities in the south on the 29th. Single Puffins were noted by locals, while single Common Scoter and Velvet Scoter were noted in inner bays during the month. Two Greylag Geese on the 27th were the only geese noted during the month.

Passerines:
Possibly an even sparser group than the previous category. Up to two Carrion Crow has been noted during the whole month. On the last day of the year there was an influx of Blackbird and Fieldfare with 30 and 18 birds respectively.

Ringing:
No ringing activity during the month.

Year ticks:
The Iceland Gull on the 29th was the only new species for the year. The year list for Utsira ended on 209 versus 202 in 2018.

Rarities/local scarcities:
None