Why birding is so hard, Norway edition…

 Spot the differences of these common birds in Oslo, Norway:

L to R: Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Rock Dove (the common feral bird you see in every urban area)

L to R: Eurasian Tree Sparrow, House Sparrow (abundant worldwide)

Oslo & Flåm, Norway

 A few birds I’ve seen so far in Norway.  We’re still on the “sightseeing” portion of our trip, so I haven’t spent much time focusing on the birds.  The “birding” portion will all start in two days 😉

Fieldfare - they are everywhere here, like American Robins at home.

Eurasian Bullfinch

Marsh Tit - # 1490 on the life list!

Common Chaffinches - it is definitely spring here with lots of fledglings.

I did it! I'm officially a Botanical Illustrator.

For the past 2 1/4 years I have been taking classes online through New York Botanic Garden in Botanical Illustration, and I'm happy to announce that on June 7th I will be graduating with a professional certificate in Botanical Illustration!  That explains why you haven't heard about birding trips for the past few months - I was nose-to-the-grindstone working on my final project. In June I will resume my birding adventures.

My final portfolio project is five different ant - plant symbiotic relationships (Mango, Cyclamen, Rattle Skulls, Fanged Pitcher Plant and Cherry).  Here is the link to my new portfolio website where you can see all five illustrations and other artwork:  http://www.hrkbart.myportfolio.com

Green Weaver Ant

The Big Mango in Bowen, Queensland, Austra

Day 5 Cyprus - Paphos

 Last day birding on Cyprus.  We found 51 species, 8 of which were lifers.

Eurasian Kestrel

European Goldfinches

Red-throated Pipit

Great-spotted Cuckoo - a rare find!

Greater Sand-plover

Day 4 Cyprus - Akrotiri Marsh

European Greenfinch 

Common Buzzard -
contrary to popular belief, buzzards do not look like vultures.

Greater Flamingo
It amazes me that so much color is
hidden when the bird is just standing around 👇

Same bird as above 👆 

 

Day 2 Cyprus - Lanarca Sewage Works

 Today was not a planned birding day, but we opted to make a “quick” stop (that turned into over an hour) at the Lanarca Sewage Works.  Water treatment plants have some of the best birding, just ask any birder.  And no, 99% of the time it doesn’t smell.

Spur-winged Lapwing

European Robin

Laughing Dove

To be honest, most of our birding looks like this.  

Day 1 Cyprus - Lanarca

 First day waking up in Cyprus.  We did some morning (jet-lagged) birding at Hala Sultan Tekke.  I have seen most of the birds on Cyprus in other countries, so I was excited to see four new ones!  

Spectacled Warbler

Eurasian Kestrel

Common Buzzard

male European Stonechat

female European Stonechat

Common Shelduck

Hooded Crow

Greater Flamingo