Daniel´s birdblog

2012-02-13T04:02:00.000-08:00

11:th of February 2012
Three-toed– and Black Woodpeckers also did greg this weekend.

2012-02-13T03:58:00.000-08:00

10:th of February 2012
Great action on the feeding station for Siberian Jays today.

2012-02-13T03:40:00.000-08:00

9:th of february 2012
The Nutcrackers showed really well on the feeding station today. A Capercaillie flew by as well.

2012-02-13T03:35:00.001-08:00

9:th of February 2012
The first Pygmy Owl for the season showing off quite well today.

Little Bunting video

2012-01-08T14:21:00.000-08:00

The Little Bunting yesterday got caught on video as well.

Sweden´s 2:nd Dusky Thrush

2012-01-07T13:49:00.000-08:00

Only a little more than a month ago since Sweden saw it´s first Dusky Thrush, the 2:nd is found. check this video from yesterday!

Little Bunting

2012-01-07T11:42:00.000-08:00

The Little Bunting in on a feeding site Gävle appeared close an nice today.

3 Golden Eagles on video

2012-01-05T10:08:00.000-08:00

5 different Golden Eagles have been seen in the area the last month and these 3 individuals on this video are from last week and taken from our new photo hide. Drop me a mail (daniel@birdsafarisweden.com) if you want to book it. The ringed Eagle is 8 years old and was ringed as a nestling in a clutch of 2 up in northern Sweden near bode, june 2003. Interestingly it had never been reported anywhere before now.

2011-12-19T05:20:00.000-08:00

2 juv Golden Eagles in the area lately. Lovely birds, only winter visitors here.

2011-12-04T10:18:00.001-08:00

2:nd of December 2011
Last day´s birding for Matt and Lauren (US) starts with a Great Grey Shrike who´s eating from his own store, a vole staked up on a twig (quite a morbid but rare thing to see), followed by 2 White-tailed Eagles at Lake Fläcksjön. Near Stockholm we manage to see a day roosting Ural Owl in a very dense pine tree and a much more showy Water Rail at Råstasjön. I must admit I haven´t seen Water rail this good for many years. And what a tame bird. Max Green took the rail pictures. See more of his excellent work on http://skogn.tumblr.com/

2011-11-29T11:53:00.001-08:00

Plenty of Waxwings around today. At least 300 birds in one flock fed on apples and Rowan berries.

2011-11-14T09:52:00.001-08:00

Dusky Thrush remains
The Dusky Thrush near Stockholm remains true to the site. It was well watched today when the crowd was smaller and some better photographs where taken. From what I gather it´s a first year female.

2011-11-13T08:47:00.001-08:00

Dusky Thrush – a first for Sweden
Yesterday it became public knowledge that a Dusky Thrush (Turdus eunomus) resided in a garden just outside Stockholm. In fact it´s been seen already a week ago according to unconfirmed sources, but wasn´t identified until yesterday. Being a new bird to Sweden it attracted quite a crowd today. Even if it was quite skulking it stayed true to the same spot most of the time and appeared in the open to feed on berries for short periods. Sometimes it sat more in the open or even treetops. Dusky Thrush picture by Zsombor Karolyi. See more of his excellent pictures on his own photo-blog!

2011-11-06T11:39:00.000-08:00

It´s not every day you see Ural Owl hunting in daylight. Today was one of them. This bird (or maybe several) have been seen in the same area for some time and often in daytime. This might indicate lack of food (rodents), especially since 2 Ural Owls have been found dead in central Västerås lately too.

2011-10-28T10:26:00.000-07:00

Close Wolf encounter
A couple of White-tailed Eagles perched in a tree on a felling lead us to believe that there could be a carcass lying around. We approached and walk over and over the open area and all of a sudden a Wolf runs off from just some 20 metres away from me. I draw my camera and get the Wolf in the frame on one shot before it disappears in the forest. We are so in awe!

2011-10-26T01:00:00.000-07:00

Chestnut-eared Bunting (Emberiza fucata) - a first for Sweden!
What is likely to be Swedens´s first Chestnut-eared Bunting (Emberiza fucata) was photographed on the remote island Understen in Stockholm archipelago yesterday. See pictures here! It will be only the second record ever in the Western Palearctic, the first was made on Fair Isle, Shetland in October 2004. Unfortunately it was not relocated today. A Siberian Thrush was also reported yesterday from Björns fyr north of Stockholm on the Uppland coast.

2011-10-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

15:th of October 2011
Lesser Emperor Dragonfly (Anax parthenope) became a new species to Sweden only last year. This individual turned in to Ottenby Bird Observatory by a caring visitor was something like the 10:th record this year. So still a mega. Here showed to what is most likely the biggest crowd ever twitching a Dragonfly in Sweden. After release it posed in a bird cherry bush for quite some time but eventually took off and disappeared.

2011-10-13T14:08:00.000-07:00

13:th of October
Northerlies and several flocks of Waxwings in the area. 30 the most. Lovely birds. A Pygmy Owl briefly in the afternoon. They are on the move this autumn.

2011-10-11T13:31:00.000-07:00

11:th of October 2011
Despite a frosty night, the day gets sunny and warm. Black and Ruddy Darters fly by the lake and a Red Admiral in my garden. The first Waxwings for the autumn too, about ten birds.

2011-10-11T13:15:00.000-07:00

11:th of October 2011
The Nutcrackers have started to appear without any hesitation or shyness to people. Today at least 3 individuals appear within a few meters and for a long time, eating hazelnut cores.

2011-10-11T11:29:00.000-07:00

9:th of October
Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) , Pallas´ Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus proregulus) are the highlights of this Indian summer day with calm, sunny, absolutely brilliant weather. Quite a few birds ringed at the bird observatory lighthouse garden as well. I like the Chiffchaffs (Phylloscopus collybita)

2011-10-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

8:th of October 2011

Another good day at Ottenby bird observatory. Today with more passerines in the mistnets. The clue of the day is surely the 4 Tengmalm´s Owls that are caught at night. They seem o have a bit of an outburst this autumn and why shouldn´t they be on the move? They´ve had a terrific breeding season.

2011-10-11T11:16:00.001-07:00

7:th of October 2011
The first day on our Ottenby, Öland visit. A bit windy but impressive amounts of Barnacle Geese everywhere. Lots of Rough-legged Buzzards in the air, Peregrines, White-tailed Eagles and Waders. At Seby we spend quality time with a flock of Dunlins with Little Stint, Purple Sandpiper and Sanderlings. Only the Dunliuns got good enough on camera though.

White-tailed Eagles

2011-10-05T13:37:00.000-07:00

Had a nice moment with two White-tailed Eagles at Lake Rörbosjön today. Subadult birds with pale yellow bills and rather white tails, but still with some black tips to the tail feathers. They where soaing in the wind for quite some time and came rally close, almost as if they where curious.

Eagle nr 1

2011-10-05T13:34:00.001-07:00

The first of the 2 very similar White-tailed Eagles soaring together. Probably a bonding pair but not yet fully adult. Perhaps the next new pair to add to the already 4 couples breeding in the valley?

Eagle nr 2

2011-10-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

This is the second individual. Same type of plumage (hence age) but note the broken tip of primary 2 in the left wing.

Eagle doublé

2011-10-05T13:13:00.000-07:00

And the two of them together.

Cold Admiral

2011-10-05T12:20:00.000-07:00

Even if it´s still mild (+15° C but strong wind) the Red Admiral still about in my garden looks a bit cold today as it sucks on the same rotting apple most of the time.

Wolfattacks in the valley

2011-10-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

Since saturday, at least 20 sheap on 2 diffeent farms have been killed by wolves in and around Fläckebo in the Black River Valley. It´s known that a pair of Wolves with 7 or 8 cubs is residing in the area since a year back.

Summer lingers

2011-10-03T13:51:00.000-07:00

1:st of October 2011
Summer lingers on in central Sweden with +22°. Probably the hottest october day I´ve ever experienced. Red Admirals are still out flying in my garden.

Red Admiral below

2011-10-03T13:50:00.001-07:00

1:st of October 2011
and looks good from below.

Cranes on bogs

2011-09-28T01:30:00.000-07:00

Lately the bogs and myres in the Black River forest has been hosting the Cranes at night. A wild habitat where Wolves can be seen and heard. Here the first flock comes in. Picture by Mike Hilditch.

Cranes in sun

2011-09-28T01:27:00.000-07:00

These Cranes flew in to the bog as the sun still shone. Beautiful. Picture by Mike Hilditch.

Cranes against sunset

2011-09-28T01:24:00.000-07:00

Picture by Mike Hilditch. See more of his excellent work on his own website!

Dead Pygmy Owl

2011-09-27T13:05:00.000-07:00

24:th of September 2011
A Pygmy Owl found dead in a garden near town (after window collision) indicates there might be a movement of Owls this autumn. There should be! After this breeding season. Tengmalm´s Owls have started to appear in the south too.

And with spread wing

2011-09-27T12:59:00.000-07:00

24:th of September 2011
Can´t see any sign of moult or different age feathers. Indicates a juv bird.

Studying ringing

2011-09-19T12:45:00.000-07:00

14:th of September 2011
Today we pay a little study visit to the ringing activity at the Kvismare Bird Observatory. A Spotted Flycatcher and this Tree Pipit was some of few birds caught in the still relatively strong wind. A Black Woodpecker flying by was a nice surprise though. Craig Brookes guided us.

Cranes, cranes, cranes

2011-09-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

13:th of September 2011
Just a tiny fragment of all the Cranes that flew in to the roost this night. And this night the influx was impressive even without a good sunset.

Geese

2011-09-19T12:37:00.000-07:00

13:th of September 2011
Just a tiny fragment of all the Taiga Bean Geese that where seen every now and then, often flushed by Eagles.

White-tailed Eagles all over

2011-09-19T12:33:00.000-07:00

13:th of September 2011
White-tailed Eagle is the ever present raptor in the valley (together with Marsh Harrier). Over and over they flush huge flocks of Taiga Bean Geese. This juvenile bird came pretty close to us in the Rysjön watchtower.

Fields of Cranes

2011-09-19T12:31:00.000-07:00

12:th of September 2011
It´s always impressive to arrive the Kvismare valley to see all the Cranes filling the fields. Some closer than others. This night some 12.000 Cranes where counted on the site. This family was just by the road.

The running Crane

2011-09-19T12:28:00.000-07:00

12:th of September 2011
This juv Crane finally couldn´t stand our presence.

Pygmy Owl at dawn

2011-09-19T12:12:00.000-07:00

12:th of September 2011
We defy rain and set out at the break of dawn to see Pygmy Owl. In fact 2 individuals appear at the same time, one seen, one heard whistling a bit further away. The little nob in the tree is in fact the Owl!

Slender-billed Nutcrackers

2011-09-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

11:th of September 2011
Today´s surprise is the find of 2 Slender-billed Nutcrackers in the outskirts of Skinnskatteberg. Fooling around in a suburban villa garden area. We found them by chance when we had stopped to look for divers on the lake Nedre Vättern.

Nuttie eating nuts

2011-09-19T11:42:00.000-07:00

11:th of September 2011
These 2 Nutcrackers had a go on both Cembra Pine cones and Hazelnuts.

Crane evening

2011-09-18T13:24:00.000-07:00

10:th of September 2011
A first of several Crane evenings by Lake Fläcksjön is enjoyed.

Comma still flying

2011-09-18T13:21:00.000-07:00

10:th of September 2011
It´s getting late for butterflies on this latitude but today a Comma is found by a south-facing forest track.

Great Grey Shrike

2011-09-18T13:11:00.000-07:00

10:th of September 2011
A Great Grey Shrike (and lately even 2) have been resident for a couple of weeks in the Black River area, many times perched on the very same stick.

Migrating Lesser Whitefronts

2011-09-18T12:39:00.000-07:00

16:th of September 2011
This is the flock of 25 Lesser White-fronted Geese that left Hjälstaviken westwards in a pure flock. 1 is outside the picture. Note the very short necks and tiny appearance.

Leeser White-front record

2011-09-17T02:14:00.000-07:00

16:th of September 2011
We are impressed by the presence of no less than 71 Lesser White-fronted Geese today. It´s as far as I know a new record for the season and perhaps in total. A good 20 or more are juveniles so it´s a pretty and optimistic picture of the species´ comeback in Sweden that´s painted here. A few of them can be seen in the picture. Later a flock of 20 took height and flew west, perhaps continuing their migration.

Hazelhen surprise

2011-09-05T02:08:00.000-07:00

31:st of August 2011
A Hazelgrouse male steps out on the path in front of us. A real bonus, since these birds are not always easy to see.

Nutcracker season on

2011-09-05T02:06:00.000-07:00

31:st of August 2011
For the first time this season several Nutcrackers are attending the feeding station. A bit shy though but still. Great birds. In company with Crested- and Willow tits and Red Squirrels too.

Black Woodpecker showoff

2011-09-05T02:04:00.000-07:00

30:th of August 2011
The Black Woodpeckers have a real showoff today. A male Grey-headed Woodpecker also appears. Great stuff!

Azure Hawkers

2011-08-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

Today I find a new site for Azure Hawker (Aeshna caerulea) in the Black River area. Characteristically perched flat on pine-trunks and being quite approachable, but also out hunting a bit. At least 5 individuals, all males seen well, several other Aeshnids on the site probably Azures as well. Moorland–, Blue– and Brown Hawkers flying in the area too.

Azure Hawker on rock

2011-08-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

Here´s another male Azure Hawker (Aesna caerulea) basking on a rock. Note the brown, smokey tinge on the wings.

Green Hawker bonanza

2011-08-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

13:th of August 2011
I take a break from the raising of Peregrines, with a good days "Dragonflying". Aeshnids in a good reed habitat is in focus. David, Jerry and I find a good bunch of Green Hawkers (Aeshna viridis), several Moorland Hawkers (Aeshna juncea), Brown Hawkers, also plenty of Yellow-spotted Emeralds (Somatochlora flavomaculata) and lots of Darters too. Green Hawker male on the picture.

Male viridis closer

2011-08-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

13:th of August 2011
It´s a stunning creature the male Green Hawker (Aeshna viridis). Clearly identifiable in flight as well with it´s briliant colours.

Female Green Hawker

2011-08-14T10:20:00.000-07:00

13:th of August 2011
This female Green Hawker (Aeshna viridis) only had 3 wings but was still flying as if nothing.

Pale Clouded Yellows

2011-08-10T04:54:00.001-07:00

8:th of August 2011
The last weeks have seen a notable appearance of migrant Butterflies in the south and east of Sweden. On Öland I get excellent views 6-10 Pale Clouded Yellows (Colias hyale) in one single field of Lucern. Together with plenty of Admirals, Painted Ladies and other butterflies.

Hyale showing upper tip

2011-08-10T04:49:00.000-07:00

8:th of August 2011
A straw between the wings make a bit of the diagnostic black edge on the forewing upperside show for once. Usually just visible in flight. Pale Clouded Yellow (Colias hyale)

Two-barred Crossbills on the move

2011-08-09T01:48:00.000-07:00

Two-barred Crossbills are moving south through Sweden. Birds have been seen on several sites in Västmanland lately. All in larch-trees. Have a look at these pictures of a stunning male!

Peregrines arrive

2011-08-05T14:08:00.000-07:00

Today the very first young Peregrines arrived to Västerås and our hacking cage on the top of the old water tower just outside town. We hope to lay the foundation for a new population of this stunning bird, that bred traditionally in the area til the 1950:ies. Two brothers and a sister was placed in the cage, at the age of 35 days, reared in captivity at Nordens Ark in the southwest of Sweden. Due to be realeased on wednesday next week. See more pictures and more about the project on our Peregrine facebook-group.

Knot Grass cat

2011-08-05T14:04:00.000-07:00

2:st of August 2011
The season of caterpillars have started. Picked up a Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar on the road today and brought it to the relative safety of my garden. This furry, little beauty I found among my vegetables, think it´s a Knot Grass caterpillar (Acronicta rumicis) - Syreaftonfly in swedish.

Musk beetle

2011-08-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

1:st of August 2011
An impressive, long-horned beetle lands in our garden today. Turns out to be a Musk Beetle (Aromia moschata) -Myskbock in swedish.

Sweden´s first Lesser Purple

2011-08-01T00:26:00.000-07:00

31:st of July 2011
Sweden´s first Lesser Purple Emperor (Apatura ilia)appeared was found in a garden outside Stockholm and shown to visitors by the very kind finder Petter Simonsson during Sunday afternoon. It was around 20 years ago Sweden got a new Butterfly species. Ilias is known to expand northwards on the Baltic side with several finds in Finland the last years.

Great Moth-night

2011-07-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

20:th of July 2011
Excellent conditions for a night out with Moths. 5 crazy guys put out 6 mercury lamps and canvas in a multi habitat with oaks, aspens, grassy areas and stony slopes on an island. Dyring 6 intense hours (finishing at 3.30(!) we identify and photograph no less than 70 species of macro moths: Scarce Silver Y, Small Chocolate-tip, Oak Nycteoline, beautiful Garden Tigers, Lime–, Elephant– and Poplar Hawk Moths, Rosy Footman, Lempkes Gold-spot, Dark Arches, Green Arches, Lunar-spotted Pinion, V-Moth, Brussels Lace, to mention but a few. Even some without english names: Diachrysia tutti, Eilema lutarellum and Paradrina selini. This Elephant Hawk-moth sat in a thistle the whole night from dusk til dawn.

Light Crimson Underwing

2011-07-25T11:52:00.000-07:00

20:th of July 2011
A Light Crimson Underwing (Catacola promissa) is slightly torn but still a jewel.

Small Chocolate-tip

2011-07-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

20:th of July 2011
Small Chocolate-tip (Clostera pigra) is one of many good species tonight.

Sociable Plover in Stockholm

2011-07-22T11:55:00.000-07:00

22:nd of July 2011
Goes to Stockholm to see a Sociable Plover (Vanellus gregarius) standing in a flock of Lapwings not far from Drottningsholms castle on Ekerö. Nice bird. Have a look at these pictures!

Large Tortoiseshell

2011-07-21T14:01:00.000-07:00

15:th of July 2011
After 4 attempts during the last 3 years I finally get to see my first ever Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) on northern Öland. It´s the very first butterfly I lay my eyes on as I arrive to the site and it´s such a miracle. Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell was seen too on the same site a few days ago but not today. Note the dark legs.

Furry and fresh

2011-07-21T13:59:00.000-07:00

15:th of July 2011
The Large Tortoiseshell soon lands on a hazel leaf and spreads out basking in the sun, looking really furry and fresh.

Well spread cat

2011-07-21T13:34:00.000-07:00

15:th of July 2011
Only when fully spread reavealing it´s "cat´s face-pattern". Note the bright brick-red colour and no white in the pale patches on the forewing.

Second Tortoiseshell

2011-07-21T13:32:00.000-07:00

15:th of July 2011
Judging from the incomplete trailing edge of the back wings, this is a second individual.

Large Blues

2011-07-13T23:19:00.000-07:00

11:th of July 2011
Today I make an excursion to the major site for Large Blue butterflies in the area. A real hotspot for butterflies and flowers. The hillside is in full bloom with wild thymes painting the ground purple. A good set of Butterflies are flitting around, including a bunch of Large Blues. This is a male.

Large Blue female

2011-07-13T23:15:00.000-07:00

11:th of July 2011
Here´s a female with the diagnostic set of black spots on the forewing.

Marsh Carpet

2011-07-01T04:51:00.000-07:00

30:th of June 2011
Last night produced excellent conditions for attracting Moths to my mercury lamp and canvas. + 20° c and a light overcast. Elephant Hawk Moths where all over my Jasmine bushes and after only 15 minutes a real rarity - a Marsh Carpet (Perizoma sagittata) – Piltecknad fältmätare in swedish – sat on the deck. I got 2 pictures and went away to do an ID-check in some books. When I got back it was gone. Then it started to rain so I had to abort the session. Marsh Carpet is known to be rare and hard to find since it´s not very attracted by light. I had the theory it would fly in the Black River area for some years so it feels good for several reasons. Handsome creature too.

Hazelhen with chicks

2011-06-16T23:45:00.000-07:00

16:th of June 2011
A close meeting with a female Hazel Grouse with at least 3 chicks along the track to Bertejaure is a good one. Here we also see Siberian Jays, Rough-legged Buzzard and we hear calls from what I believe are Hawk Owl chicks, but we can´t find them in the forest.

Short-eared Owls parade

2011-06-16T14:05:00.001-07:00

15:th of June 2011
En route we see at least 4 Owls, the 2 we can identify are short-eared Owls parading with high wingbeats above us in the light midsommer skies. Magical!

Lapland sunset

2011-06-16T13:58:00.000-07:00

15:th of June 2011
After a 2 hour domestic flight to Arvidsjaur we drive through amazingly vast forests with beautiful, calm lakes towards Ammarnäs, as the sun sets in a lovely quite evening.

Lynx at Lake fläcksjön

2011-06-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

14:th of June 2011
Visiting filmmaker Malcolm Rymer and Ann Trangmar gets lucky to see and film a 1-year-old Lynx at Lake Fläcksjön tonight. I know; it´s distant, it´s blurry, but it´s an unmistakable profile.

Hairy Hawker

2011-06-14T14:15:00.000-07:00

13:th of June 2011
A good day for Dragonflies. Plenty of 4-spotted Chasers, Downy Emeralds and a Hairy Hawker (Brachytron pratense).

Yellow-spotted Whiteface

2011-06-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

13:th of June 2011
Yellow-spotted Whiteface (Leucorrhinia pectoralis) is a good Dragonfly-species that I today find at least 5-6 individuals of in a water where I haven´t seen them before. Especially positive since I have not found them on two previously known sites this year.

Marsh Fritillaries

2011-06-12T14:33:00.001-07:00

9:th of June 2011
Marsh Fritillaries seem to have just started their flight season, since I encounter more than a dozen really fresh individuals today. This one really striking and well contasting with dark parts and white spots. Male?

Marsh Fritillary female

2011-06-12T14:25:00.000-07:00

9:th of June 2011
The Marsh Fritillaries vary quite a bit in plumage, this individual is a bit less contrasting with less white in the markings on the hindwing. Compare with previous! Could it be a female?

Marsh Fritillary under

2011-06-12T14:22:00.000-07:00

9:th of June 2011
And a great underside as well.

Purple-edged Copper

2011-06-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

9:th of June 2011
A great day for photographing butterflies. Male Purple-edged Copper ( Lycaena hippothoe).

Capercaillie female final

2011-06-09T01:54:00.001-07:00

8:th of June 2011
On the final morning of the Rockjumper group´s visit, we come across a female Capercaillie with chicks. An amazing encounter. (Fast moving bird in poor light)

Honey Buzzard

2011-06-08T13:39:00.000-07:00

The Honey Buzzards are in by numbers and always a nice bird to see.

Rockjumpers set record

2011-06-08T13:25:00.000-07:00

8:th of June 2011
Our first group from South african tour operator Rockjumper left today after two weeks in Sweden and a list of 208 species(!). The last three scored in Svartådalen was European Bittern, Spotted Redshank and Capercaillie.

Ortolan Buntings

2011-06-07T06:41:00.000-07:00

1:st of June 2011
On the last day of the trip we close the birding with visiting a good site for Ortolan Buntings. At least 3 singing males appear.

Green underside Blues

2011-06-07T06:36:00.000-07:00

1:st of June 2011
Some Blue butterflies turn out to be the non-british species Green-underside Blue.

Lemming abundance

2011-06-07T06:21:00.000-07:00

31:st of May 2011
Lemmings are abundant in the Scandinavian mountains this year, hence a good year for all predators. We saw a dozen or so on every mountain walk. Really difficult to get pictures on though, constantly moving as they are.

Dotterel in fog

2011-06-07T06:15:00.000-07:00

31:st of May 2011
The last summit on the trip awaits us with fog, but since it was pouring with rain 2 hours before that, we are happy and Dotterels have the good taste to show up against all odds.

Squirrel and Jays

2011-06-07T06:04:00.000-07:00

31:st of May 2011
Red Squirrel, Willow Tits and Siberian Jays are the stars of 2 excursions in the forest. A female Capercaillie on the path and fleating glimpse of a Hazel Grouse adds to it.

Tengmalm´s appear

2011-06-07T06:00:00.001-07:00

30:th of May 2011
A good tip brought us to a site where a single Tengmalm´s Owl male´s been heard calling a lot lately. We see a glimpse of something the right size but we have to wait a while before we suddenly get´s attackad by 2 Owls(!) perching up right in front of us, obviously nesting.

Tengmalm´s magic tree

2011-06-07T05:58:00.000-07:00

30:th of May 2011
And they even perch in the magic shaman tree.

Tengmalm´s Owls on the make

2011-06-07T05:55:00.000-07:00

30:th of May 2011
As if this wasn´t enough, they start mating in front of us. Worth a blurry picture isn´t it.

Sylarna massif

2011-06-07T05:37:00.000-07:00

30:th of May 2011
The Sylarna massif is the highest summits in the area. With it´s 1.695 meters it is actually the highest alpine area in Sweden south of the Arctic Circle. From this viewpoint we enjoyed Rough-legged Buzzards.

Great Snipe performance

2011-06-07T05:11:00.000-07:00

29:th of May 2011
The night calms down and we head out for leking Great Snipe. Around 15 birds entertain us in magnificent display. I am sure everybody got better pics than I did. Maybe this can qualify for a word record in blurry bird picture. Adding a new dimension to the word record-shot.

Hawk Owl encounter

2011-06-07T05:09:00.001-07:00

29:th of May 2011
The wind drives us down in the valleys and good that because that´s where we find a pair of Hawk Owls.