Flommen 2016!

One more autumn season in the Flommen reedbeds, already my 4th!
It's been a rather busy season, with many more birds than the previous ones, and other additional work delayed this post. But finally!!

Flommen ringing season is over after one of the best seasons in the 21st century: 4271 birds of 51 species have been ringed in the standardised ringing, above the reference number of 4258 birds (average 1980-2009). Also, almost 600 birds have been ringed in extra ringing in the same area.

Click here to check the seasonal total at Flommen for this year.

Since the beginning of the season it was noticeable the high density of different insect species in the reeds, significantly more than the previous seasons. The amount of food for many species is probably one of the reasons that explain this year’s high numbers, but also many species, such as Eurasian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus), both local breeding species trapped in the beginning of the season, have shown quite good breeding success with many juvenile birds recently fledged being trapped and ringed.

The weather has been quite good through the whole season, with a lot of sunny and rather warm days during most of August and September, and therefore it was in very few days when the ringing was cancelled, mostly due to too strong winds. Then, and in combination with the amount of food and the apparently good breeding season, one could expect a good total number of birds trapped we had.

In order, the most common species this season have been Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) with 1300 individuals ringed, Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) with 556, Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) with 399, Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) with 309 and Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) with 306.

As has been happening during the last few years, some species don’t reach the average number par season (1980-2009). The ones with more obvious difference, and also as it has been the case for the last few years, are Reed Warbler (seasonal total: 1300, average: 1940) and Willow Warbler (seasonal total: 399, average: 628). Other species clearly below the average were Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) (seasonal total: 68, average: 140) and Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) (seasonal total: 14, average 43), due to the lack of roosting in the ringing area. For the rest of species below the reference number both the seasonal total and the average are rather close, Sedge Warbler being an example (seasonal total: 556, average: 588).

On the other hand, some species were caught in very high numbers comparing to the average 1980-2009. Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) is probably the most extreme case (seasonal total: 309, average: 14), but it has been particularly good for other ‘September species’ too, like Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) (seasonal total: 309, average 80), European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) (seasonal total: 203, average 75), Dunnock (Prunella modularis) (seasonal total: 134, average 54), Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) (seasonal total: 126, average 40) and Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) (seasonal total: 289, average: 212). Early species in the season like Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) (seasonal total: 50, average 34), Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris) (seasonal total: 151, average 92) and Icterine Warbler (Hippolais icterina) (seasonal total: 7, average 2) showed high numbers compared to the reference number.

Using walk-in-traps, we caught the anual record number of Water Rails (Rallus aquaticus), from all ages, including this very little black ones!!

Walk-in-traps are also very useful to catch other 'walking' species, such as Pipits. In fact, by placing them on different places, especially on the beach or the trail in the reedbed, we caught several Tree Pipits (Anthus trivialis), Meadow Pipits (Anthus pratensis), a Red-throated Pipit (Anthus cervinus) and up to 11 Rock Pipits (Anthus petrosus) - only 3 of the latter species had been ringed at the Bird Observatory the last 50 years!!-.

Tree Pipit (Anthis trivialis), Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus) and Meadow Pipit
(Anthus pratensis)

1st-year (EURING 3) Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus). Note the
moult limit in median coverts, inner GCs and tertials; usually
found in the MeC or with 1-2 inner GCs and sometimes possible
to detect in the field.

Most unusual birds this season have been: a Shoveler (Anas clypeata), a breeding female in the area that is only the second individual ringed of this species in the last 36 years, and first ever for Flommen, a juvenile European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) – first ever for Flommen - , a juvenile European Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) – 2^nd ever in the standardised ringing at Flommen -, a first-year female Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) – 2^nd ever in standardised and for the Bird Observatory -, a first-year female Blackbird (Turdus merula) – 3^rd ever for the standardised ringing at Flommen -, 30 Penduline Tits (Remiz pendulinus), 23 ringed and 7 recovered from other places, 2 Great Reed Warblers (Acrocephalus arundinaceus), the 57^th ringed at Flommen since 1980 and a recapture from another place in Sweden, 3 Jack Snipes (Lymnocryptes minimus), 3 Spotted Crakes (Porzana porzana) and a Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo).

But the rarest bird was, without any doubt, the putative Stejneger's Stonechat (Saxicola maurus stejnegeri) (still not confirmed genetically). Don't miss the comparision made by Björn Malmhagen about the Flommen bird and an Stejneger's Stonechat from China; in the same dates the year before and same age/sex combination (first-year female).

But the amount of migrating birds is what it really makes Falsterbo special. Some days, the sky gets full of migrating birds, usually calling energically (and making a lot ot sound!). You can get huge flocks of many species, with literally thousands of birds flying over!!! This year I stayed longer than other years, until the beggining of October, and those days are especially good to get great numbers of Woodpigeons (Columba palumbus) in migration.

We had also a very special evening with several thousand Cranes (Grus grus) over the peninsula, this picture is taken from the door of the station.

Usually different flocks of different species migrate at the same time, creating a unique scenario!

But you can really see a lot of species migrating in huge numbers. That evening, for example, hundreds of Song Thrushes (Turdus philomelos) and Mistle Thrushes (Turdus viscivorus) were migrating too. And these Redpolls (Carduelis flammea), that somehow look like flying fish!

Such a rather common species across Europe as Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus) can be seen in huge amounts at Falsterbo. For instance, 21921 individuals have been counted in migration during 2016's season. Check Falsterbo Bird Observatory's webpage and click on 'Migration counts' to check numbers for other species.

  

Another great time and experience in such an amazing place. Thanks to everyone one more time: Timmy, Per, Lennart, Karin, Sophie, Caroline, Ingela, Oscar, André, Peder, Björn, Jonas, Johan, Juho, Paul, Kat, PG, Måns, et al.... vi ses sen!!

... and Varanger (Norway)!

During the trip to Finland we crossed the border to Norway to spend some days in Varanger. The whole place is very nice... a must-see!! Thanks to Anders Maeland for some birding tips around the fjord.

Varangerfjord is about 100 km long, and it has birds everywhere. There are several places to go, but actually you'll see many birds just stopping the car wherever and looking around.

Waders are particularly numerous in the shores, but only few species breed there, like Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus).

If you drive inside the tundra, you expect poor wildlife richness for being such a plan and apparently monotonous habitat...

But the amount of breeding species is quite impressive!, and very nice especially if you are used to see them only in migration or in winter, as it happens with the waders. Golden Plovers (Pluvialis apricaria) are easy to spot in several places showing their fantastic breeding plumage.

Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus) are also found in the tundra, and Dunlins (Calidris alpina) and Common Snipes (Gallinago gallinago) are common in small ponds, where you can also find Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus) sometimes.

In shallow pools it is also possible to see Red-necked Phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus) in breeding plumage, in which the female has brighter and more colourful plumage thant males, as it happens with Dotterels.

Male

Female

Arctic (Stercorarius parasiticus) and Long-tailed Skuas (Stercorarius longicaudus) are also common in the tundra, but as well very easy to spot on the sea from many places. I didn't know that Long-tailed Skuas hunt hovering over the tundra, as Kestrels would do... It's very nice to see them doing it!

Arctic Skua (Stercorarius parasiticus)

Long-tailed Skua (Stercorarius longicaudus)

Talking about raptors, if you are lucky you'll find a Gyr Falcon (Falco rusticolus) sitting on a rock, waiting for the best chance to hunt a Willow Grouse (Lagopus lagopus) or a distracted wader. But the actual kings of the region are White-tailed Eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla)!

Lapland Longspurs (Calcarius lapponicus) are very common in some areas, especially in meadow areas were also waders are found, while Horned Larks (Eremophila alpestris) are more scarce. Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) are restricted to more rocky areas, but still it is possible to find them close to Vardø. 

Red-throated Pipits (Anthus cervinus) are more common close to the coastline, in grasslands. They can be very tame!!

Also inland, there are some lakes and marshes were you can see Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) and breeding Divers, especially Red-throated (Gavia stellata). Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus) are also easy to spot!

Back to the fjord shores, Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima) are very common everywhere. Also Black-throated (Gavia arctica) and Red-throated Divers (Gavia stellata) are common at the sea. We also saw 5 Great Northern Divers (Gavia immer), which is an interesting amount for the area.

Skuas, waders... and thousands of Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) are flying around all the time. Is actually very impressive!
Most of Kittiwakes in the fjord are breeding in Ekkerøy cliffs. The breeding colony is actually amazing! And it truly deserves a visit...

Some chicks have already hatched!

Some Razorbills (Alca torda) were quite close to the Kittiwake
colony.

At Vardø harbour you'll see some nests in buildings as well! 

Another bird breeding colony that has de be visited is Hornøya, a rocky island close to Vardø. To get there you have to take a boat, and tickets are sold at the Turism Information Office. Once you get there, you'll get surprised on the amount of birds everywhere, and the sound they make...

Common Guillemots (Uria aalge) are the commonest species in the colony. They are everywhere!!

Brunnich's Guillemots (Uria lomvia) are quite restricted
to the cliffs that are seen in the beggining.

Razorbills (Alca torda) are also present, but not as numerous
as the Guillemots.

Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) are also quite common, and at this time of the year they give very nice photographing opportunities while are carrying fish to the nest.

Other species in the colony are Kittiwake and European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis)...

Apart from Hornøya it is worth to keep following the coast to the North, going to Hamninberng. From the road you'll have views to several small bays which are usually very good for Divers, like White-billed Diver (Gavia adamsii), but we actually saw one from Hamninberg. And apart from the quite huge flocks of both Red-breasted Mergansers (Mergus serrator) and Goosanders (Mergus merganser), it is also quite good for King Eiders (Somateria spectabilis).

And yeah!! We found this very nice 2nd-year male King Eider!

From Hamninberg village, the seawatching is impressive! We saw many birds from several nice species, including hundreds of Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis), Great Skuas (Stercorarius skua), Manx Shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus), Common, Brunnich's and Black Guillemots, Razorbills, Atlantic Puffins, Kittiwakes, Gannets... and also a Harp Seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus). We also saw an unidentified Whale and several Harbour Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) inside the fjord.

On the scruby areas, especially in the one close to Hamninberg, Red-spotted Bluethroats (Luscinia svecica svecica) are quite easy to find, and sometimes, very tame!!!

Redpolls (Carduelis flammea) are usually in all scruby places, and this one close to Hamninberg is meant to be one of the best spots for Arctic Redpoll (Carduelis hornemanni).

Male Redpoll (Carduelis flammea).

Female Arctic Redpoll (Carduelis hornemanni).

After seeing most of the fjord, we drove south, on the way to Kirkeness, to stop at the Neiden's church; a place which is mentioned by many trip reports as a good site for Arctic Warbler (Phylloscopus borealis).

We were having dinner there when, suddenly, we heard the first singing male very close to us!!, about 10 o'clock in the evening. At the end, we heard at least three singing males! Some record shits here... they are hard to photograph properly while singing from the trees!

From the same place we also saw this moulting Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), several Woodcocks (Scolopax rusticola) and one of the several Hawk Owls (Surnia ulula) we saw...

 We spotted up to 20 Hawk Owls, from the car!! They use the cables a lot, and from the distance, they look like a Swallow! ;)

 Early in July most of juveniles are flying around already, but they are still begging and are quite easy to detect. I have to say also that, apparently, it was a very good breeding year for the species!

A very nice experience!, and, of course, very worth to come back...!!