That's more like it

Despite a late start I managed a great day in the field today, catching up with a few winter specialities and bolstering the year-list. The late start meant that breakfast looking out into the garden inevitably produced some new birds for the year, most notably at least 1500 brambling that flew north out of Sinarpsdalen. At least 750 more brambling were noted as I went over the top of Sinarpsdalen as I drove down to Båstad.

First stop was a look at Eskilstorpsstrand. Serious damage to the dunes here and the beach has been re-profiled. Sea levels are still high and the beach was covered in foam. Not much here in a short watch, the best birds being a flock of 75 scaup just offshore and a black-throated diver north.

Klarningen was busier with 25 bean geese over on arrival and a total of 22 white-fronted geese also probably newly arrived. As Sweden freezes up to the north we should get a few geese through, it normally happens in November but it has been so mild this winter. Other notable birds here were mallard (22), tufted duck (6), hen harrier (2 ringtails) and 30+ starling.

Drove home over the top where a 5 minute stop at Lya ljunghed produced the hoped-for great grey shrike as well as a complete surprise in the shape of a west-bound merlin (probably a female).

In the afternoon we grilled sausages at Ripagården (meadow pipit and goldfinch) before heading to Torekov. The rev was completely submerged and rather quiet for birds, just 13 wigeon and a rock pipit noted. Nearby the harbour was providing a refuge for a single guillemot and viewing across the sound Vinga Skär produced singles of both peregrine and white-tailed eagle. Last stop of the day was at Påarps Mal where a water pipit performed well before dusk.

Already over 100 species have been logged in BK this year, I added a few today but it will be some time before my year-list hits the ton.