Pontic galore

During a visit to Jæren to work with partners in a Northern Lapwing project, I managed to squeeze a few birding hours. Starting with both Marsh and Hen Harriers seen from the car in the evening when arriving on the 23rd.

Caspian Gull is a rare species in Norway, although it has become noticeably more frequent over the years. The first Caspian Gull in the country was in 2000, and up until 2023 there were 122 accepted records. Today, it’s an annual visitor in small numbers.

After meetings this morning I drove a round along the coast of Hå municipality. My first stop was all the way south, in Sirevåg harbour. A young Caspian Gull had been staying there for a while, and I brought some bread to attract the gulls. The young bird didn’t show at first, but a slightly older individual appeared on a rock right in front of me. After a bit more bread‑throwing, the young gull finally turned up, and suddenly there were two Caspian Gulls in the harbour. Epic.

In Sirevåg there was not too many birds besides the gulls, but about 45 Common Eiders fed in the harbour. A few of them did also feed on the bread I threw out! A Common Guillemot swam by, but it ignored the food.

Second winter Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans, Sirevåg 24 March 2026.

First winter Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans, Sirevåg 24 March 2026.

A few kilometers further north I stopped by Brusand. A Great Egret was spotted here yesterday, and it was still around today. Before long, a thick sea fog rolled in, but there was still plenty of life both on the beach and in the farmland. Lots of migratory birds had arrived, and big flocks of Common Gulls were feeding on the fields. The Lapwings were already well underway with their aerial courtship displays, backed by a choir of skylarks.

Male Common Eider Somateria mollissima, Sirevåg 24 March 2026.

Common Guillemot Uria aalge, Sirevåg 24 March 2026.

Great White Egret Ardea alba, Brusand 24 March 2026.

The Norwegian population of Rook is redlisted (VU). The breeding population has grown during the last decade, but the distribution is patchy. Most breeding birds are found at Jæren, and about 200 birds were seen during my trip.

Rook Corvus frugilegus, Kaffiholen 24 March 2026.

Male Eurasian Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Kvassheim 24 March 2026.

Male Shelducks Tadorna tadorna, Kvassheim 24 March 2026.