The first Corn Bunting in Vestland

During todays fieldwork on farmland birds in Nordhordland (western Norway), I stumbled upon a big surprise. The encounter lasted only a few seconds, but fortunately long enough for me to shoot a few moderately useful documentation photos.

While conducting a point count at Djupedalen in Alver municipality, I noticed a bird perched in a spruce tree in the otherwise open landscape. As I raised my binoculars, I assumed it was a Meadow Pipit, one of the most common species in the area. But the moment I got the bird in focus, I saw the heavy bill. Definitely not a Meadow Pipit. It was a Corn Bunting! A species never before recorded in Vestland county.

I had the bird in my binoculars for maximum a second before switching to my camera. Just as I did, it turned, dropped behind the spruce, and disappeared into the dense vegetation. The three photos presented are all I managed to get. I stayed in the area for another twenty minutes, hoping to relocate it, but without success.

Contact

Reach out for prints or collaborations by using the contact form

All content © Frode Falkenberg

Gallery shortcuts

• Flies

• Beetles

• Slugs and snails

• Moths and butterflies

• Damselflies and dragonflies

• Spiders and allies

• Birds

• Mammals

• Reptiles and amphibians