1st–15th August
The Rosy Starling was standby until the 6th. August had to start before the Red-backed Shrikes admitted breeding; a young bird was seen in the company of the two adults on the 1st. Meanwhile, the Two-barred Crossbills multiplied, and on the 4th a good 70 birds were logged. A Black Redstart on the 2nd was an unseasonable one.
More or less regular waders started to appear in the beginning of the month, like Common Greenshank, Ruff, Bar-tailed Godwit and Green Sandpiper. Less regular was the Spotted Redshank that flew over on the 3rd. A trip to Spannholmane gave Common Ringed Plover (2), Sanderling, Dunlin (15), Purple Sandpiper (15), Whimbrel, Greenshank, Common Redshank (4) and Common Sandpiper. Representing a very early autumn occurrence was a Northern Goshawk on the 4th, also representing the first record this year.
In the ringing forests an early start resulted in among other things Icterine and Wood Warblers, the latter with up to four in a day. Also, several of the distinctive crossbills were trapped.
However, the real result was the catch of a Siberian Accentor (Sveinung Larsen et al.) early midday on the 6th. The species have never reliably been recorded in Norway before, the only previous record being a bird accepted as a Siberian or Black-throated Accentor from Farsund, Vest-Agder on 5th October 1992.
This biggy resulted in a certain travel activity among the landbased species collectors, a contingent that had to face failure and return with a not increased balance.
Then both feet firmly on the ground with the autumn´s first Great Spotted Woodpeckers on the 11th. Next day an early Northern Harrier was seen.
Back to the ringing, 7th and 8th gave good numbers of trapped migrants with 120 and 127 birds, respectively. Among them, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Icterine Warbler and Red-backed Shrike, with Whinchat new to the ringing year.
Again quality in the nets on the evening of the 12th when Utsira´s fifth European Nightjar (Sveinung Larsen et al.) was found trapped. Caught in the northernmost of the forests, this very plantation can now boast three out of five Nightjars on Utsira.
The next two days continued in fine style with one European Turtle Dove, two Barred Warblers and one Common Rosefinch being trapped.
Below more of the highlights so far in August:
