Bullfinches

21:st of January 2010
Just some nice Bullfinches on one of my feeding stations today, Redpoll, Brambling, Hawfinch and plenty of Yellowhammers too.

Waxwings and Fieldfares

19:th of February 2010
The numbers of Fieldfares and Waxwings seem to be increasing in the area. This waxwing sat in my backyard looking ab it lost and tipsy today.

Hawk Owl still present

17:th of January 2010
The Hawk Owl at Burunge, Uppland is still present when we pay a visit today. Golden- and White-tailed Eagle, plenty of Hawfinches, Crossbills, some Waxwings and tons of Fieldfares are also among today´s birds. Because of the distance and the snow we have to settle for one of last year´s Hawk Owl pictures. Courtesy of Glyn Sellors, UK.

Garden Grey Partridge

16:th of January 2010
Today me and my son Max goes to Stockholm to meet up with and interview a network of female Birdwatchers calling themselves "the Partridges" - Rapphönorna in swedish. A handful of them are out on a Birdrally with 7 other teams and they have just got reports of a Grey Partridge – their own mascot bird – in a garden nearby. Not an easy bird to see around hear and a good find even if it might be an introduced bird.

Black-throated hospitability

16:th of January 2010
It´s become time to look at the Black-throated Thrush in Duvbo, Stockholm. It´s resident in a private garden and we are welcomed in by a sign on the gate saying: "Welcome! A good observation-point for the Black-throated Thush is behind the green-house". That´s what I call hospitability! Many thanks Lotta & Georg!

Black-throated Thrush

16:th of January 2010
We are lucky to see it after only a few moments. It appears in the trees several times even if it don´t come down on the ground to feed on the apples we´ve brought. (A brown rat is taking care of that) Blakbirds, Fieldfares, Redwings and a Robin is seen in the garden too. I know the picture is crap but it´s authentic!

Nibbling birch

14:th of January 2010
Today a Moose was standing just outside the village (Fläckebo) nibbling on a frosty birchtree.

Moose in frost

14:th of January 2010
And in the landscape..

A common Nuthatch

14:th of January 2010
This is how a typical Nuthatch of the Scandinavian race Sitta europea europea looks in our region. (Not that it´s a good picture, but just for comparison)

Continental Nuthatch?

14:th of January 2010
So is this a Nuthatch of the continental race Sitta europea caesia? It´s frequenting these fatballs near lake Fläcksjön.

Orange breasted

14:th of January 2010
Looks perhaps even more orange-breasted on this picture, with a rather distinct contrast to the white chin and cheeks.

Sunrise over the River

10:th of January 2010
Today we head north for Siberian Jays and our first stop is at the impressive river Dalälven. We can´t help stop as we cross at the exact rise of the sun and the light is just magical as the sun breaks the mist. Some Goldeyes swim in the open water. It´s like –20° C! A little further north some 50 Waxwings are seen at the roadside. Cute little devils!

Grandma and her boys

10:th of January 2010
Sorry to bore you with personal stuff but today´s expedition is strictly a family affair with my mom Monica and my three sons; Leon, Max and Simon. A wild bunch who really loves the Swedish winter.

Siberian Jays

10:th of January 2010
It doesn´t take long til the Siberian Jays appear. Such furry, little gorgeous birds. My picture don´t do them justice. Next time perhaps. Leon spots a Grey-headed Woodpecker too while we´re on walkabout.

Winterland

10:th of January 2010
What a winterland!

Dipper evening

10:th of January 2010
As we reach Gysinge and the River Dalälven on our way back south it´s just at the fall of dusk and the circle of the day is closed. In the last light of the day we spot a Dipper on the ice edge. It is in the picture (just left of the ring on the stand in the centre). A moment later it took off and we stepped into the café for a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream.

Eyebrowed Redwing

8:th of January 2010
As I scan through the hundred or so Fieldfares in the Mountain-ashes at my Mom´s place I see a white eyebrow on a Thrush. I blast off a few pictures before raising my bins, so I have time to reflect weather it is an Eye-browed Thrush (Turdus obscurus), a Dusky Thrush (Turdus eunomus) or just a Redwing. Of course it is the latter, but it´s still a nice bird and I can´t even remember how many years ago I saw the last winter Redwing here.

Waxwing arrival

4:th of January 2009
All of a sudden the town is full of Waxwings. A 50-flock great me just in my backyard as I walk to the store for some vital breakfast ingridients in the morning, they later increase to around 100. On a walk down to the lake, several other smaller flocks are seen here and there. Attracted to Mistletoes among others. Their little bells are ringing all over. Nice!

Black-throated Thrush in Stockholm

A male Black-throated Thrush (Turdus ruficollis atrogulari) is resident in a garden in Stockholm since a couple of days. Photos are showing what is likely an adult male, even if the black bib isn´t that black. Have a look at svalan - the website for birdreports in Sweden.
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