Monthly report February 2021
General: coverage and weather
The month started with a calm and cold period with frost and 3cm of snow until the 14th. The highest temperature was 7.7 degC (21st) and the lowest -6.3 degC (10th). Total precipitation was 83.9mm. Most precipitation in one day was 18.2mm (20th). Highest average wind was 21.7 m/s and gust 30.7 m/s (23rd). Total number of species ended on 56 compared to 50 in the previous February.
Raptors:
Apart from a juvenile Gyrfalcon that was disturbed from prey in Siradalen on the 21st all the usual raptors were noted during the month. Sparrowhawk were noted with singles throughout the month with two on the 24th. White-tailed Eagle were reported daily with one to two birds, as well as the local Peregrine Falcon throughout the month as well as some additional reports of juveniles.
Shorebirds:
A new juvenile Mute Swan arrived in Nordvikvågen on the 25th and was present until the end of the month at least.
A male Wigeon was in Tuevågen on the 6th and 7th. Three female Goldeneye were noted in February, one in Sørevågen between the 4th and 20th, and two in Nordvikvågen and Måkeskitt area from the 13th until the end of the month.
Two Oystercatcher passed by Beiningen on the last day of the month. The years two first Lapwing arrived on the 20th and then increased to a maximum of seven the following day with two to six to the end of the month. A total of 240 Purple Sandpiper were on Lausingen on the 27th.
Woodcock maintained their high numbers from January, and were noted with an extreme 104 on the 6th, with 35 still there the following day. After the snow disappeared on the 14th only single birds were noted till the end of the month.
There was no large gatherings of large gulls during the month. Common Gulls were noted with four to five birds from the 15th until the end of the month. Guillemot were on breeding grounds on Spannholmane with 60 there on the 27th. Razorbill were present in smaller numbers at the same locality and date. A wind-blown Puffin in winter plumage made landfall in a garden in Klovning on the 20th.
Passerines:
There was little in the way of thrushes or other passerines with the exception of Stonechat which were noted in exceptional numbers. It started with a moderate six birds on the 21st, then increased to a maximum day record of 35 on the 22nd, a new record of 37 on the 23rd, followed by another maximum record of 39 on the 26th. The last day of the month resulted in 17 birds.
Woodpigeon were noted with one to three birds from the 21st until the end of the month. 45 Skylarks were noted on the first real spring day on the 21st with between one to twenty till the end of the month. Pied Wagtails were reported on the 25th and 28th. A pair of Mistle Thrush were stable in the Nordvik area from the 21st to the end of the month. On the 27th there six were noted otherwise two to four birds throughout the month.
Ringing:
There was ringing with the use of clap-traps of Stonechat by Truls W Andersen. Best day was 24th with a total of 14 Stonechats.
Year ticks:
14 new birds for the year – Goldeneye (4th), Wigeon (6th), Fieldfare and Mallard (7th), Goosander (18th), Lapwing (20th), Mistle Thrush, Stonechat, Skylark and Woodpigeon (21st), Pied Wagtail and Mute Swan (25th), White-fronted Goose (27th) and Oystercatcher (28th).
Rarities/local scarcities:
None but very good numbers of Stonechats – here a couple of photo by Håkon Heggland:
