Monthly report September
General: coverage and weather
Average temperature was 12.6dgC, 0.8degC over the normal. Highest temperature was 17.5degC (31st August), ad lowest 6.7degC (17th). Total rainfall was 155.9mm- Most rainfall in one day was 23.0mm (15th). Highest wind speed was 23.8m/s (15th). A total of 126 species were recorded during the month versus 94 in the same month in 2018, slightly over the normal of 120 species.
Raptors:
Eight raptor species during the month is about what is expected for such a month. The Osprey on the 6th rested briefly on a post in Kvalvik was the most notable species. Hen Harrier were noted with a single on the 9th and two on the 23rd. Goshawk were recorded on the 21st and 28th, while a Gyrfalcon was noted on the 8th. Sparrowhawk were seen almost daily with one to five birds and a maximum of 15 on the 28th. Kestrel were also noted daily with one to two birds each day from the 9th to the end of the month with a maximum of five on the 28th. Otherwise there were reports of the local White-tailed Eagle and Peregrine Falcon.
Shorebirds:
September is normally a month for passage geese, not normally stopping off. 114 Pink-footed Geese arrived on the 15th and dispersed into small flocks with up to 55 birds and then 21 birds until the end of the month. The Canada Goose in Nordvik on the 27th and 28th is a local scarcity. 11 Brent Geese were on passage on the 23rd. Shelduck is also less than annual on Utsira. Two juveniles arrived at Nordvik harbour on the 20th while up to six birds were noted the next day at various localities, then four between the 22nd and 24th with one to four towards the end of the month. Quail is also a rare autumn guest – a bird was flushed in Veito on the 27th.
There were only three days with good seabird passage. On the 13th 12 Sooty Shearwater, a Storm Petrel and 290 Gannet were noted, on the 14th two Sooty Shearwater and Manx Shearwater were noted while on the 15th a Sooty Shearwater, a Storm Petrel, a Leaches Petrel, two Pomarine Skua and 820 Fulmar were recorded. There were smaller passage numbers of diving ducks, auks, Kittewake and other skuas. A Black-throated Diver passed Pedleneset on the 1st and another Pomarine Skua on the 30th.
In terms of waders these were well represented with a Grey Plover at Pedleneset on the 14th and another between the 23rd and 28th. A Black-tailed Godwit was noted on the 9th while six Bar-tailed Godwit flew past Pedleneset on the 1st and another single on the 24th. Curlew Sandpiper over Merkeskogen on the 27th and a Spotted Redshank are also noteworthy.
Passerines:
As with last year there were few passerines throughout the month. There were however a few highlights, particularly on the last weekend of the month. An active Nightjar at Starabarjet on the 28th was the most surprising record of the month. A Red-flanked Bluetail first seen in the lighthouse garden on the 29th was later trapped in Merkeskogen was also well appreciated.
One the same day two un-ringed Olive-backed Pipits were in the Søre Merkeskogen area. The first Olive-backed Pipit was ringed in Merkeskogen on the 23rd. Yellow-browed Warbler were noted daily from the 20th until the end of the month. The best day for this species was on the 29th when over 30 were reported. Barred Warbler were reported with 1st year birds on the 9th and 27th. Invasion species: Great-spotted Woodpecker were reported on the 22nd and 28th, a Two-barred Crossbill on the 21st and a Parrot Crossbill on the 29th.
Ringing:
There were only eight days of ringing in September. A total of 219 birds of 21 species were ringed. The best day was the 29th when 62 birds were ringed of which Goldcrest (40), Redwing (6) and Wren were the most numerous. The most notable ringing records were Olive-backed Pipit, Red-flanked Bluetail and six Yellow-browed Warblers. The result is slightly better than last years record low ringing when 66 birds of 18 species were ringed in 5 days of ringing.
Year ticks:
There were twenty new species for the year in September: Sooty Shearwater and Black-throated Diver (1st), Barred Warbler and Gyrfalcon (8th), Hen Harrier (9th), Storm Petrel (13th), Grey Plover (14th). Pomarine Skua and Leaches’ Petrel (15th), Yellow-browed Warbler and Shelduck (20th), Little Stint and Goshawk (21st), Great Spotted Woodpecker (22nd). Olive-backed Pipit and Brent Goose (23rd), Curlew Sandpiper (27th), Treecreeper (28th) and Parrot Crossbill and Red-flanked Bluetail (29th).
Rarities/local scarcities:
Red-flanked Bluetail was the 23rd record, the last in October 2018.
Shelduck are less than annual the last being in May 2015, while the last Curlew Sandpiper was in August 2014.
The Canada Goose was the 23rd record for Utsira, the last being in October 2013.
Here some more photos by Tore Vang (see also coolbird.no):
