Chiffchaffs moving south

The Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) is one of several passerine species that increase in Sweden and are pushing up their distribution range from the south, colonizing new habitats and areas in the country. In our (central) parts of Sweden however, the Chiffchaff is not yet a regular breeding bird (yet) and in fact not a bird I see many times a year at all. We are namely mostly exposed to the northern population on migration. Mid september is when they turn up on their way south and during a relatively short period of a few weeks they can be enjoyed, often spotted by their distinctive song. At this time practically all Willow Warblers have gone south.  Today I saw my first Chiffchaff for the autumn. It flitted around in one of my big apple trees in the garden and I was surprised to get a few images of this constantly moving little bird. I later saw a Bluethroat as well but the Chiffchaff was the bird of the day for me.

Geese bonanza in Hjälstaviken

Hjälstaviken not far from Uppsala is one of the major staging areas for Geese in central Sweden, especially during autumn migration. The season has just started but already last week 4.000 Bean Geese, 8.000 Greylag Geese and 7.000 Barnacle Geese where counted. The minorities where the 25 Lesser White-fronts and 4 (!) Pink-feet. Add to that 4.100 Common Cranes and you can just begin to sense the noise and sheer spectacle when all these birds come into to roost in the wetland at night. The Barnacles are the most tame, the Beanies the most shy.