Monthly report June 2022
General: coverage and weather
Highest temperature was 24.6 degC (29th) and lowest was 8.8 degC (5th). Although there was 11 days of rain it was a dry June with 38.8mm of rain. Most rainfall in one day was 14.8mm (18th). Strongest wind was 18.9 m/s (25th) and highest average wind was 13.5 m/s (25th). There was a total of 86 species of bird recorded during June versus 99 the previous year. 43 species are probable breeders.
Raptors:
June is not the best month for raptors; most notable was a Marsh Harrier which flew out from Veito by the church towards the lighthouse (2nd). White-tailed Eagles were noted only with singles until the 20th and Kestrel with singles only on the 3rd and 12th.
Shorebirds:
Mallard were successful breeders on Måkskittmyr this year, with four young noted on the 9th. A male Teal was at the same location on the 10th. Three Red-breasted Mergansers were also there on the 10th and a female there the next day. One to two Quail were on the island during the month, first a singing bird by the windmills on the 14th and 15th, Veito by the church on the 16th, Starabarje on the 19th, Skare on the 23rd, and a more stable bird by Veito. A Corncrake was singing by Merkeskogen on the 12th, a Lapwing was at Pedlestemmen on the 8th and a Golden Plover at the same place on the 9th. A late Ringed Plover was on the ploughed field at Myre on the 27th. There was a large flock of Curlew at the end of the month with a maximum of 53 in Nordvik on the 28th.
This years seabird count on Spannholmane Reserve was carried out on the 1st. An additional visit together with researchers from NINA was carried out on the 22nd for fitting of GPS trackers and light recorders on 19 Guillemot. The purpose of the research is to map hatching areas in breeding season and wintering areas for the Guillemots on Spannholamne. The project is financed wind energy companies in connection with development of Utsira Nord. There were still encouraging results for species who feed on tobis fish species and low numbers of Shag. This years counting are published 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-spannholmane-2022
From the counting there were noted 146 Guillemot on the 1st and only one Puffin the same day but with 17 noted on the 22nd. A young Great Northern Dive was in Nordvikvågen on the 3rd, Sørvågen on the 5th and by Spannholmane on the 6th. Great Skua were noted on a number of days with one to three birds circling over the island between the 3rd and 20th. While another was in the gull colony at Koltemyr.
Manx Shearwater were noted with a maximum of 32 on passage on the 12th and two birds on the 15th.
Gannet were noted with a maximum of 250 on the 12th feeding/passage. Bird Flu has had a significant impact in June with many dead birds on the sea and sick birds in the harbor areas.
The months highlight on the seabird front was a Great White Egret Atle found in Tuevågen on the evening of the 9th, also seen the next day in Nordvikvågen.
Passerines:
Arne found a Turtle Dove at Starabarje on the 13th. A male Golden Oriole was trapped and ringed in Merkeskogen on the 10th while a Blyth’s Reed Warbler was singing in Herberg between the 7th and 17th.
A Marsh Warbler was also ringed in Merkeskogen on the 8th and a one without ring was in Veito the following day. The Marsh Warbler was around Merkeskogen until the 12th. An adult Rosefinch sang in Herberg on the 7th and 8th. A pair of Twite were seen at Breimyr in Vestrmarka on the 16th. Common Crossbill were noted with singles on the 2nd, three on the 11th and 30 on the 12th. Siskin were well represented until the 15th with a maximum of 68 on this date. A fine Snow Bunting in summer plumage was noted by Jupevikshaugen on the 8th and a Rustic Bunting was ringed in Merkeskogen on the 7th. A female Black-headed Bunting paraded on the road by the new quay at Koltemyr, found by Atle during a survey with Statnett. A few photos were taken, and the plan was to come back with better equipment, however the bird was no longer to be seen.
Ringing:
A total of 143 birds of 22 different species were ringed during six days of rining in Merkeskogen in June. The best day was the 15th with 62 birds where Sisking (48) and Meadow Pipit (4) were the most numerous species. A Golden Oriole, a Rustic Bunting and a Marsh Warbler were the most notable birds ringed. Last year in June resulted in 143 birds of 25 species ringed in four days of ringing.
Year ticks:
Five new birds for the year: Rustic Bunting (7th), Marsh Warbler (8th), Corncrake and Feral Pigeon (12th) and Black-headed Bunting (13th).
Rarities/local scarcities:
Fourth record of Great White Egret, last in April 2022.
Eighth record of Black-headed Bunting, the last in April 2016.
Thirty fourth record of Blyth’s Reed Warbler, last in May 2022.
