June 27th, part 1

This was a rahter good day for photographing and birdwatching. To begin with the drake Wigeon (Brunnakke) was showing well off at short distance near the dogyard.

Then, a bit later an Arcitic Fox (Fjellrev) were beeing chased by a pair of Arctic Terns (Rødnebbterne) when it tried to get an easy meal. The meal was not easy to get at all, but apparently it was worth vile for the fox since it kept on going until it had emptied out the nest, and it was licking egg-yolk off its nose. Looking rather pleased with it self.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

                                         

Todays second fox came when I had had dinner and was just out for a relatively short trip. I became aware that the Arctic Terns were rather ill-tempered near the dogyard, and I went up there to have a look. There was a fox in the middle of a better meal of eggs. It did not seem to mind that I was stood just ten metres away at the closest. The only thing that I would wish could be different was that I would have liked to get some sun, instead of the grey clouds which made my pictures become more or less black/white.



June 21st

First of today are a couple of pictures of a local rarity: The Wigeon (Brunnakke). Even though it is a common sight at times in different parts of Europe, up here in the Arctic Ocean we are not blessed with the sight of this charming duck every day. And when it still keeps its breeding plumage I could not let an opportunity to photograph it pass!

This and the next picture shows how difficult to see the birds that are breeding on the tundra around Longyearbyen and elsewhere on Svalbard. In the middle of the upper photo lies a female Common Eider (Ærfugl), which the bottom picture clearly shows. This also shows the difference of taking a poicture with 150 mm and 500 mm zoom!

June 7th

After a few days at the mainland I was back in Longyearbyen again, and through the telephone I found that there was a Gadwall (Snadderand) in the valley. I met up with a friend on the plane who was more than happy to join in re-finding this bird again. On our way out we first encountered a flock of Brent Geese (Ringgås) at Tuedammene. In amongst the regular ssp. hrota were one ssp. bernicla. This subspecies is supposed to be in Siberia, but it is apparently not an entirely uncommon sight in these parts of the Arctic. I have uploaded a picture of it together with two ssp. hrota. 

The Gadwall was not difficult to find, and it was swimming alongside a male Wigeon (Brunnakke). I have uploaded a record-shot of the bird here.

5th July

One thing that I forgot to mention about yesterday was that inbetween shifts at work I went out ringing wader-chicks. I managed to find and ring four Red (Grey) Phalarope (Polarsvømmesnipe) chicks and two Dunlin (Myrsnipe) chicks. I am adding a picture of one of the Red Phalarope chicks which is walking along the little pond where they were staying.

In amongst the boats at the docks there were three Black Guillemots (Teist) resting, and at Hotellneset there were two male Wigeon (Brunnakke) which were moulting into eclipse-plumage.

26th June

Because of the high latitude here in Longyearbyen, birds that are quite common on mainland europe are quite rare up here. And this led to my excitement of seeing a male Wigeon (Brunnakke) close to the dogyard this day. Even though the picture is not the best, at least its no problem seeing that it is this species.