Monthly report – August 2017
General: coverage and weather:
Average temperature was 13.3 degC, 1.0 degC over the normal. Highest temperature was 17.3 degC (18th), and lowest 11.2 degC (13th). Total rainfall was 122.9 mm. Most rainfall in one day was 20.1 mm (18th). Highest wind speed was 16.5 m/s (17th). There were only 85 different species recorded during the month versus a record low of 81 in the previous year. Poor coverage, reporting in Artsobservasjoner.no and the weather with mostly NW and SW winds can take much of the blame.
Raptors:
No days with any notable passage of raptors. Only singles of Kestrel and Sparrowhawk between the 18th and 27th. Reports also of the local White-tailed Eagle and Peregrine Falcon.
Shorebirds:
The final large flock of breeding Greylags was noted on the 7th with 25 birds. There were no notable days with any seabird passage. Nine Great Skuas were recorded on the 5th. Rainy days resulted in a few good days with waders at various puddles that formed on various fields. Five Black-tailed Godwits were stationary between the 13th and 19th, three Wood Sandpiper passing over Sørevågen on the 3rd, otherwise between one and three each of Green Sandpiper, Greenshank and Redshank through the month. The first Ruff was noted on the 12th with other singles noted until the months end. A Water Rail was found at the dam by Merkeskogen on the 27th. A trip over to Spannholmen on the 27th resulted in a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Knot, 30 Sanderling, 20 Turnstone, nine Redshanks and seven Dunlins.
Passerines:
A pair of cuckoo bred on Utsira and different adults/young were registered at various localities until the 18th. A Two-barred Crossbill in a flock of three Common Crossbills was noted on the 16th. A Wryneck and a Treecreeper in Merkeskogen, as well as an Ortolan Bunting in Herberg on the 27th raised expectations. A Blue-headed Wagtail and a Red-backed Shrike were noted on the 29th, before the wind turned towards the NW.
Ringing:
A total of 68 birds were ringed distributed between 18 species during five days of ringing in Merkeskogen in August. The best day was the 27th when 30 birds where Willow Warbler (8) and Goldcrest (8) were the most numerous species. Wryneck and Treecreeper were the most notable records. The previous year in four days of ringing resulted in 88 birds of 18 species being ringed.
Year ticks:
Seven new species for the year: Wood Sandpiper (3rd), Purple Sandpper (9th), Ruff (12th), Black.tailed Godwit (13th), Sanderling (25th), Reed Warbler and Knot (27th).
Rarities/local scarcitieis:
No records for the record books.
