Sunday 27th January 2013 Glyn, Mike, Richard and myself caught a Ryanair flight from Standsted to Vasteras, Sweden. We set off in search of Sweden's Big 4 winter birds, Nutcracker, Pygmy Owl, Siberian Jay and the infamous Hawk Owl. We also expected a few more good birds to fill in the time and we were not to be disappointed. We arrived at Vasteras, in Vastmanland, around 2:30 local time and were met by Daniel Green from Bird Safari Sweden who was to be our guide for our three day stay. It took around 45 minutes to an hour before we arrived at our B&B Hotel located in a small village called Salbohed in the Black River Valley nature reserve. The accomodation, Salbohed Garden Hotel, was superb, warm & comfortable and Wilma's cooking was wonderful.
Monday 28th January 2013 – We set off for Skillsberg and a secluded woodland bird feeding station. After a short walk through deep snow, we were soon on site. There were many Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits,Northern Willow Tits (borealis) and Marsh Tits. Plenty of Northern Nuthatch (europaea) and a few Crested Tits all visiting the various feeders. At least 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker and a single Grey-headed Woodpecker were also around the site. After around 20 minutes or so, the first two Nutcracker (form caryocatactes) appeared. We had about 4 individuals coming to the feeding station on and off during approximately three hours. Simply stunning birds and these Nutcrackers are of the "thick billed" form. Also seen here, a brief flight view of a Black Woodpecker and a Northern Red Squirrel.
Nutcracker – form caryocatactes – Skillsberg, Vastmanland, Sweden – January 28th 2013 – Tony Davison© – below 6 studies
After several hours at this site we moved on to an area called Rålken Skultuna – A Hawk Owl had been present in this vast area for the past three months, so we were extremely hopeful of seeing it. Within a few minutes of arrival, there it was, sat right out in the open on top of a spruce tree. What a fantastic bird and probably one of the best birds I've ever seen. It was a great pity that it was such a grey and cloudy day, nevertheless, it performed and we were able to get some reasonable photographs of it. After 20 minutes or so, it suddenly took flight and swooped down into the nearby field, caught a vole and flew off some distance, where it perched and began to feed. At this point we decide to go looking for Pygmy Owl and Pine Grosbeak.
Rålken Skultuna, Vastmanland – The Hawk Owl site – January 28th 2013 – Tony Davison©
Above two images – Hawk Owl – Rålken Sultuna, Vastmanland – January 28th 2013 – Tony Davison©
We finished off the day searching the area of forest at Silvborgslid Fagorsta and soon found a large flock of 22 Pine Grosbeak. These birds are quite scarce in Sweden and once they have stripped the berries from gardens and hedgerows, they move into the pine forests feeding high up in the trees on fresh pine shoots and cones. Large heavy birds, the size of a small thrush, with a thick-set bill and long deeply forked tail. The males are bright pinky-red with a prominent white wing-bar. Females and first winter birds are a yellowish-orange. Very distinctive in flight.
Pine Grosbeak – My record shot – Silvsborgslid Fagorsta, Vastmanland – 28th January 2013.
Pine Grosbeak – Photo courtesy of Richard Pittam© – much better shot – Silvsborgslid Fagorsta, Vastmanland – 28th January 2013
Whilst walking back to the mini-bus we heard and saw, very briefly, a Hazel Grouse. Our final bird of the day was a cracking little Pygmy Owl. This tiny owl has a very distinctive call, similar to Scops Owl and we soon located it calling from the extreme tip of a spruce pine tree. Unfortunately too far away to get a decent photo. Superb views through scope & bins though. Elsewhere during the day we saw Magpie, Chaffinch, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Whooper Swan, Hooded Crow, Greenfinch and a superb MOOSE. Not bad for our first day…
Tuesday 29th January 2013 – Our journey to-day would take a two and a half hour drive north to an area called Jädra Ås for Siberian Jay. A huge area of pine forest that seemed to stretch for miles and miles. Some very deep snow in this area and the temperature here was definately a little cooler. A male Capercaille was feeding at the side of one of the small roads and promptly flew straight in front of us and disappeared into dense forest. After a kilometre walk through deep snow, we arrived at another large feeding station and the place was crawling with Crested Tit, Willow Tit, Nuthatch, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Coal Tit. I flushed a Hazel Grouse from a small area of pine scrub as we walked down towards the site. We had to wait for some 30 minutes before the four Siberian Jays came into the feeding area. What stunning and beautiful birds.
The forest area near to the Siberian Jay site at Jädra Ås – January 29th 2013. Tony Davison©
Siberian Jay – Above four images at Jädra Ås – January 29th 2013. Tony Davison©
Crested Tit – Above three images at Jädra Ås – January 29th 2013. Tony Davison©
Northern Willow Tit (borealis) – Above – at Jädra Ås – January 29th 2013. Tony Davison©
Northern Nuthatch – (europaea) – Above – at Jädra Ås – January 29th 2013. Tony Davison©
Another stunning bird, one that I had not seen before, was a Northern Long-tailed Tit (caudatus), unfortunately, the bird moved through very quickly and it was all over in a matter of seconds. I really need to see some more of these little beauties. Daniel cooked us some great Hot Dogs over a fire and with hot soup and superb views of Siberian Jays, what more could we ask for. On our journey home we stopped of at a place called Möulinja in the hope of a Great Grey Owl – no such luck but we did find a Ural Owl, which slightly made up for the lack of a Great Grey.. Two more Moose in this area.
Wednesday 30th January 2013 – Our last day, so we decided to have a second go at Nutcracker, Pygmy Owl and Hawk Owl. A wet and miserable morning, so we headed off to a site called Slät såltorpsbachen. A large forested area and the hope of better views of Pygmy Owl. Well eventually Mikael located the bird and we all had very good views, in very poor light. Also here 8 Yellowhammer, Marsh Tit and Crested Tit.
Pygmy Owl – Slät såltorpsbachen – 30th january 2013 – Tony Davison©
The Nutcrackers performed very well this morning and there was even a little sunlight trying to break through.
And finally a last visit to the Hawk Owl – what a mind blowing experience this turn out to be. The bird had moved to another area of open felled forest and gave some really good views in the early afternoon. We struggled to pull ourselves away for the journey back to Vasteras. Other birds at this site were two Great Grey Shrike, Common Crossbill, Raven, Eurasian Jay and Common Buzzard.
Hawk Owl – Our final views before we had to leave for the airport. A fantastic three days birding in Sweden, our trip list was 36 species. A brilliant experience with some awesome birds in a wonderful and stunningly beautiful country.
My thanks go to Glyn for suggesting to do the trip, for his company and for getting it all organised. To Richard and Mike for their company, to Daniel Green and Mikael Rhönnstad from Bird Safari Sweden – www.birdsafarisweden.com and to Wilma and Georg at the Salbohed Garden Hotel, for all their hospitality during our stay – www.salbohedgarden.se
Great write-up and great images.