Spring at the tundra

Six days at or in the surroundings of Svartnes in Vardø has come to an end. The Red-throated Pipit fieldwork was carried out with acceptable results, and several adult birds were color-ringed. Göran will give these individuals further attention later this summer.

There were lots of other birds around, both on land and at sea, and the spring was still in an early phase compared to southern Norway. Ruffs were lekking in most suitable habitats, Temminck's Stints were doing their courtship in flight, Arctic Skuas were watching gulls and other seabirds for a snack to steal, while it's rodent-eating relative, Long-tailed Skuas, were spaced out on the tundra a kilometer or so from the coast.

Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus, Vardø 1 June 2005

Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus, Vardø 1 June 2005

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres, Vardø 2 June 2005