Icelandic Cruise: Norway

 2 - 4 June

Our two-week cruise from Southampton to Iceland and back was shared with friends Derek and Barbara Etherton, so guaranteed to undertake some birding along the way!  Three stops in Norway at Haugesund, Skjolden and Olden respectively.  True to say that on the coast and rivers there were many Eider Ducks and once ashore you could be sure of seeing a Hooded Crow.  Whilst the best birding was in Haugesund, Skjolden produced the first Red-breasted Merganser and not until Olden did we pick up a Canada Goose. 

Eider Ducks Somateria mollissima in the harbour upon arrival

The last two ports were mainly glimpses of birds in passing, either ashore or on passage, whereas in Haugesund we were able to do a little more exploring. Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Heron in the harbour before walking through the town to stop at the local cemetery.  A couple of Hooded Crows followed by  a number of Feral Pigeons before coming across the resting Fieldfare hidden among the leaves of the large trees.  A Barn Swallow was seen then a small flock of Starlings.  Also in the vicinity both Herring Gull and House Sparrow.

Well-concealed Fieldfare Turdus pilaris

Leaving the cemetery and walking to a nearby wooded park set on  small hill we soon recorded both Blue and Great Tit.  Chiffchaffs were singing before coming across both Goldfinch and Greenfinch.  Having also recorded Blackbird, Robin and Woodpigeon, we were delighted to find a Lesser Redpoll and ere long both Willow Warbler and Marsh Tit. And once back on board our ship, the "Caribbean Princess," we also noted both Common and Great Black-backed Gulls along with another Heron and, of course, many Eiders.

Marsh Tit Parus palsutris

Skjolden was noted for the sightings of both Pied Wagtail and Red-breasted Merganser but we did also encounter Barn Swallow, House Sparrow and Lesser Black-backed and Common Gulls.

Common Gull Larus canus

More birds note at Olden albeit the ship had to moor off  Loen with tenders used to bring us ashore.  This meant a shuttle bus up Olden where we were able o take a short tour of to the glacier but a stop on the way produced a Grey Wagtail in addition to the later Pied Wagtail.  Birds here included Lesser Black-backed and Common Gulls, Hooded Crow, Canada Goose, Magpie, Barn Swallow, Starling, Blackbird and Fieldfare.

Hooded Crow Corvus cornix amongst the gravestones

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Eider Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Cormorant, Heron, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Back-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Marsh Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Hooded Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Lesser Redpoll.

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