Monthly report June 2019
General: coverage and weather
Average temperature was 12degC and little over the normal. Highest temperature was 21 degC (6th) and lowest 8 degC (1st). Total rainfall was 46.0mm. Highest wind speed was 15m/s (2nd). There were a total of 101 different species recorded during June versus 73 the same month the previous year. 44 of these species are believed to be breeders.
Raptors:
The usual representation for raptors in June, a single Kestrel on the 4th and two on the 7th. Otherwise there were single White-tailed Eagle between the 4th and 11th and a few reports of Peregrine Falcon.
Shorebirds:
No days with noticeable seabird movements, with only a few Kittewake and Gannet from local colonies. Red-throated Divers were recorded on the 1st and 7th, Manx Shearwater with three on the 1st, two on the 21st and singles on the 22nd and 30th. Great Skua observations were noted with one to three birds on the same dates. A Velvet Scoter passed Djupvikshaugen on the 1st. Waders was well represented during the month. Two Wood Sandpiper on the 20th, an islandica Black-tailed Godwit at Haganeset on the 19th and a male Ruff on Røvartre on the 17th were the pick of the bunch. One to two Quails were heard calling at various locations from Nordvik to Tuevågen between the 6th and 19th.
The years’ bird survey of Spannholmane reserve was carried out on the 20th. There was upward trend for species with tobis fish diets whilst low but stable trend for other species such as Shag. This years results can be found on the councils website (in Norwegian only):
https://www.utsira.kommune.no/tema/natur-og-miljo/miljovern-og-gronn-profil/verneomrader-og-sarbare-omrader/spannholmane-naturreservat/sjofugltellinger-pa-spannholmane-2019
Passerines:
A few changes in wind directions from the south resulted in some nice days in June. The most notable passerine was the years third Subalpine Warbler (or second?) that turned up behind Sirahallen on the 2nd. The bird had clear Wren-type calls in its song and as a result Moltoni's Warbler was discussed. The bird was ringed and a possible theory was that it was the bird from May. The bird was attempted to be trapped without success and was last seen on the 4th.
A Nightjar was seen in the same area on the 6th. A Bee-eater was seen briefly over Hovland on the 8th. Female-type Black Redstarts were noted in the south and by Dahmsgård on the 10th and 30th respectively. A Marsh Warbler was reported on the 6th.
Ringing:
A total of 59 birds of 18 different species were ringed in six days of ringing in Merkeskogen in June. The best day was the 8th with 27 birds were Chiffchaff (10), Garden Warbler (4) and Willow Warbler (3) were the most numerous. A Long-eared Owl on the 1st and a Cuckoo on the 8th are the most notable ringing records. The previous year resulted in 31 birds of 12 being ringed during four days of ringing.
Year ticks:
Seven new species for the year: Long-eared Owl and Velvet Scoter (1st), Quail, Nightjar and Marsh Warbler (6th), Bee-eater (8th) and Wood Sandpiper (20th).
Rarities/local scarcities:
Nightjar the seventh record, the last in August 2011
Bee-eater the 20th record the last in June 2015
Black-tailed Godwit the 25th record the last in May 2019