An uneventful trip to Heysham and an easy drive to Hull before boarding for an overnight to Rotterdam, only interrupted by some little Oyk at 1am shouting 'room service' down the corridor. Shame keel-hauling is no longer a permitted form of punishment!!
On the 31st we were off through Holland and Germany to catch the ferry to Denmark before camping at Maribo, where we were regaled by a Nightingale singing through the night from an oak tree directly above our tent - now you don't get that on the Isle of Man!!
Not too early a start on the 1st to get to a campsite at Nykoping in Sweden, another site we used last year. Very peaceful, next to the Baltic, with Caspian Tern on the shore, Barnacle Geese with goslings and nesting Fieldfare. Next day to Stockholm for an overnight at Pelles apartment, with time to take a stroll and beer in the old town, where Monica has her flat before heading north on the 2nd.
Monica came with us to make sure we made it to base for the next six weeks; Pelles Mum & Dads in
Flästa, near Arbrȯ. On the way stopped off to add Citrine Wagtail and Great Reed Warbler to the list of 'lifers' before reaching base in the early evening along with Pelle, whose folks have made us so welcome it is untrue. Breakfasts, lunches, dinner and hospitality in generous portions!!!
Straight out to a Ural Owl nest site, the only brood that had not already left their nest box; most having bred early thanks to an abundance of prey, including voles and lemming. Four chicks in the nest was another indicator of plentiful food, though one was too small to ring, so Kay ringed two and Chris one - ringing ticks and smiles all around. Adult female was very protective, making repeated dives on either Pelle or Chris, depending who was up the ladder, clouted by wing but no blood (see later!!!)
The next few days were spent with Monica and Pelle, who showed us many good sites for walks, filming and birding, including a morning running a standardised ringing site of Pelle's (one of a network of sites through Europe).
Among the many highlights, listening to both Red-throated and Black-throated divers calling from lakes within the forest, goldeneye females with chicks and adding to our list of species seen since getting to Heysham (126 as at 13th) are all fantastic. Some stand out even more though: Finding a Hawk Owl chick near the nest site for Pelle to ring was a treat. Going to another Ural Owl nest where we found the female incubating a sterile egg. Bird is so strong, but Kay played a blinder and fitted the ring!
Highlights though were being taken to a Great Grey Owl nest site where we watched the adult female sitting very peacefully watching over one of her young, that was sat motionless on a tree less than 10m from where we were. A very peaceful and calming scene. We have also been to a White-tailed Eagle nest where we were able to see one of the two chicks up close. Fantastic views also of a Peregrine eyrie, high up a cliff face with fantastic views over the forests and lakes below.
Last Sunday we went back to the first Ural Owl nest, hoping to ring the final chick, but no joy - the female was that protective that she caught Pelle on the head with both talons, scoring hits with all eight claws and drawing blood - we left her to it!!!!
Since Pelle and Monica have left us we have been walking, birding and filming in some lovely scenery, running Pelles ringing site this morning (17 birds caught), watching fox cubs and Roe Deer, seeing Cranes, Pied Flycatcher, and seeing Cuckoo all over the place. Some photos follow to give a flavour.
Looks like internet might allow us to update more regularly than we thought for the first part of our trip, so we'll be in touch soon!
C & K
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