European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) - 22Jul2017

I can't decide if our American Goldfinch or this striking European Goldfinch is more beautiful.  Seen at Ostensjovannet Park near Oslo, Norway.

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) - 22Jul2017

Although this beauty of a grebe is fairly common in Europe, for some reason it was not on my radar on my trip to Norway.  So when I found this one at Ostensjovannet park near Oslo, I was very pleasantly surprised.

Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) - 22Jul2017

This bird was considered a local rarity, and who knows what its deal was.  Its possible it was a released duck but many people had reported it just before I went.

Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) - 22Jul2016

Its too bad I only found this little gem of a park called Ostenjovannet at the very end of the trip.  Only about 30 minutes from Oslo and chock full of good birds.

Eurasian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) - 22Jul2017

These were not easy to find and I found myself wanting better looks.  Photographed at Fornebu, Norway just outside Oslo.

Common Swift (Apus apus) - 22Jul2017

These swifts were flying all over downtown Oslo, Norway but never came very low. Luckily there is really only one likely species.

Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula) - 22Jul2017

Somehow this was the only decent photo I came away with of this species after a week in Norway.  I will return!

European Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) - 22Jul2017

I was seeing loads of the immature or female birds in the parks of Oslo and then finally saw this beauty.

Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) - 22Jul2017

Peekaboo!  This Eurasian Blackcap was not cooperative but enough for a positive ID.  Fornebu, Norway.  One of the Sylviid Warblers.

Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) - 22Jul2017

This is the second time I saw this species and ended up with an unsatisfactory photo.  The previous time was in Portugal and this time in Norway.  Fornebu is a park just outside Oslo city center.

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) - 22Jul2017

Black and white, the most elegant of all the color schemes.  These Barnacle Geese were in a park in Oslo, Norway.

Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea) - 22Jul2017

These sometimes show up in Newfoundland but I believe they are probably here in the ABA more but are dismissed at Great Blue Herons.  These were photographed in Oslo, Norway.

Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) - 22Jul2017

I was able to get some better photos of some common birds on my last day in Norway.  Here was a Eurasian Blue Tit in Oslo, Norway.

Common Buzzard (Buteo regalis) - 21Jul2017

I was deliberating quite a bit on this raptor but in the end I decided on Common Buzzard.  Photo taken somewhere between Stavanger and Kristiansand, Norway.

Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) - 21Jul2017

There was a Foodie Festival in Stavanger when we were there.  I was more into the birds though.

European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) - 20Jul2017

Have to love these little cute birds.  Nothing like our American Robins.  Photo taken at Priekstolen in Norway.

Willow Tit (Poecile montanus) - 20Jul2017

I didn't see many birds on the hike up and down Priekstolen in Norway but the ones I did see were quality.  This flock of birds was an actively feeding flock giving calls while moving down a tree line. The Willow Tits have a little larger of a "bib" that flares out into a triangle, whereas the Marsh Tits have a little vertical bib.

Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) - 20Jul2017

The scenery at Priekstolen is ridiculous so when I saw these birds I almost didn't pay them much attention.  However, the photo opportunities don't get much better so I had to snap a few.

Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) - 20Jul2017

Lemony Snickets!  This little Phylloscopus warbler was seen on the way up to the famous Priekstolen  (Pulpit Rock) in Norway.  The very white breast and lemony throat and super cilia were good indicators but the bird was calling too.  I think they were on breeding territory.

Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) - 19Jul2017

This Goldcrest was seen on the hike down from Mount Floien in Bergen, Norway.

Eurasian Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) - 19Jul2017

An anniversary lifer!  15 years married and I still managed to bird a little on our hike up Mount Floien, Bergen, Norway.

Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) - 19Jul2017

Apparently these nuthatches are common in Norway but this was one of only a couple I saw.  Seen in Bergen, Norway.

Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus) - 18Jul2017

Yet another lifer on this hike at the Mano Museum Trail in Hordaland, Norway.

Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus) - 18Jul2017

Love this little bird!  The light sucked but these were the only ones I saw the whole time I was in Norway.  Photos taken on the Mano Museum Trail in Hordaland, Norway.

Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris) - 18Jul2017

More tit fun!  I must have heard this flock because I wrote Marsh Tit down.  Although there are some field marks that can help ID, with this species you want to hear them.  Willow Tits are very similar.  I checked eBird and indeed there are more reports of Marsh Tit from this spot (Mano Museum Trail, Hordaland, Norway).