Home Photoblog Trips and pictures Snow Bunting on snow, Rock Ptarmigan and a little confusion

Map of visitors

Latest pictures

lyskonoh úzkozobý, samice / Red-necked Phalarope, female (Phalaropus lobatus)

 lyskonoh úzkozobý, samice / Red-necked Phalarope, female (Phalaropus lobatus)

 lyskonoh úzkozobý, samice / Red-necked Phalarope, female (Phalaropus lobatus)
lyskonoh úzkozobý, samice / Red-necked Phalarope, female (Phalaropus lobatus)

 lyskonoh úzkozobý, samice / Red-necked Phalarope, female (Phalaropus lobatus)

 lyskonoh úzkozobý, samice / Red-necked Phalarope, female (Phalaropus lobatus)

Latest in portfolio

Latest articles

Latest birdwatching

Wednesday, 04 May 2011 22:34

Snow Bunting on snow, Rock Ptarmigan and a little confusion

When I think of how many kilometres I have walked and climbed during last three weeks, i have a feeling I’m more of a tourist than a wildlife photographer. My very last trip of Easter time led me up to the top of the Gullfjell Mountains in Bergen area. Yes, it is the same area where I photographed Golden Plovers last summer. This time I decided to visit for the first time the very top of the mountains called Gullfjelltoppen – it is supposed to be a good place for spotting Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus). I planned this trip already during February but at that time I was a bit scared to climb up when the tops were covered with thick sheet of snow and I would venture into places I have never been before. April seemed to be a good compromise – with less snow and higher temperature but the birds still having their white winter plumage.

 

Snow Bunting on snow, female (Plectrophenax nivalis)

IMG_6312PS

 

The days are getting longer vary fast now so I had to set up the alarm clock to 5.00 a.m. to be on the top in the morning light. I left the snow shoes at home this time – terrain at the parking place was already free of snow and the Gullfjelltoppen (987 m.a.s.l.) some 700 m higher from the parking lot was frozen enough in the morning for nice walk in snow with boots on.

 

On Gullfjelltoppen (987 m.a.s.l.) – home of Rock Ptarmigan, in the background is the snow-capped Austerinden hosting population of Golden Plover in summer time

IMG_6321PS

I could feel the spring especially down in the valleys between mountains – the heathers sounded with tens of Dunnocks, Willow Warblers, Pipits and Song Thrushes sang from the tree tops. As I climbed up the sounds went silent and the only birds I met in the middle of my trip at Redningshytta were two White Wagtails. The way up leads me to places I have never been before but fortunately the terrain is quite accessible and I only need to take care not to slide down from the icy slopes.

 

Snow Bunting, male (Plectrophenax nivalis)

IMG_6351PS

The trip up to the top with the sun rising was spectacular – not a single human around, just snow-capped mountains and the view towards frozen inland and fjords in the North and South from the massif. I could hear strange sound from the rocky field in front of me wondering what the hell the Crested Tits are doing up here? Closer view reveals my mistake – two pairs of Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) searching for food in the rocky spots where snow has already melted. I have forgotten the typical call of these „northern white sparrows“that I usually meet in winter months at the coast of Atlantic. The birds attract me towards the rocky ledge and leave soon beyond horizon. Strange call sounds from behind the ledge and I suspect Raven, the typical inhabitant of mountains. Quick look and nothing in there – the bird must have flown away!

 

Rock Ptarmigan, female in winter plumage (Lagopus mutus)

IMG_6327PS

Well my task at that day was the quest for Rock Ptarmigan so I continued upwards. There were no birds at the top but the footprints and burrows in the snow were quite clear sign of the recent birds presence. However the icy footprints meant the birds must have left it here at least one day earlier, no sigh of fresh activity. I admire again the birds courage – some of the burrows are dug just at the very edge of the snow-bank that continues down some 300 meters in almost vertical mountain face. Taking a rest between the stones close to the top I unwittingly note a small white spot some 100 meters down from me, which seems to slightly move across the dark rock – is it snow or Ptarmigan? Closing up with binoculars I could see a female still in the full winter plumage. After a while the bird adds a call – here it is! What I heard before was not a Raven, it was Rock Ptarmigan! The sounds are pretty similar! Crawling down on the snow towards the bird is not very successful, the birds takes off when I’m some 50-60 meters away but I have at least a record shot! These birds never fly far away so I try to spot where the bird might land again and really, after some 100 meters the birds sits down on a rocky spot again. Another 50meters of crawling in the snow and I’m almost there – hidden beyond the rock I could here the call of the Ptarmigan some 15 meters from me. Unfortunately the call was rather a sign of bird’s unrest and so when I slowly looked out from my shelter the bird was gone again. What a pity!

 

Snow Bunting, male (Plectrophenax nivalis)

IMG_6331PS

It is around a noon and the first tourist on the skies are coming – the best time to leave the scene. The snow starts to melt and walking in it becomes more difficult. On the way back I meet the Snow Buntings again – this time they are rather tame and let me do a few decent photos although it is still rather a record photo than an art, well photographing real wildlife is a task! :-).

 

Snow Bunting, female (Plectrophenax nivalis)

IMG_6388PS

A few hundred meters further I can hear the Ptarmigan’s call. I turn back and almost running a Try to spot where the birds might have landed. It is again some 100 meters from me – the bird perching on a rock with no chance for me to get closer hidden behind any natural ledge. So I need to go down on my belly again and try to get as close as the bird lets me. After a few meters I always stop and get some pictures – this is the usual technique when I need to crawl directly toward a bird that is aware of my presence. Sometimes you get bad pictures but sometimes you can get pretty close. This time the first case was true – the bird took off again when I was at ca 30-40 m distance. This time it was a male partially moulted into spring (summer) plumage.

 

Rock Ptarmigan, moulting male (Lagopus mutus)

IMG_6414PS

So it was my first photo session with Rock Ptarmigan – it was not exactly how I would like it to be but it was still better than in February when I always saw these beautiful birds flying away from me leaving no chance for taking decent picture.

 

Rock Ptarmigan, moulting male (Lagopus mutus)

IMG_6416PS

____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Last Updated on Thursday, 05 May 2011 13:24
 
Comments (107)
  • 2011-05-06 10:31:34 | karel šimeček

    Zdravím na sever,pěkná reportáž - taky jsme po nich během cesty po Norsku pásli,vždy to skončilo vyplašením a odletem -proto nás děsně dožralo, když za námi na jednom odpočívadle přišla Francouzka a chtěla určit ptáka, kterého před pár minutami vyfotila mobilem na asi 3 metry :-) byl to kohoutek bělokura přes celý displej ...

    ReplyQuote
  • 2011-05-13 09:45:11 | Jirka

    Tak to obcas bohuzel ci bohudik chodi - bohudik, pokud se to prihodi nam, kteri za ptaky vyrazime :-) Videl jsem spoustu videi z Aljasky, kde jsou ptaci pravdepodobne dost krotci ale nedavno jsem narazil na youtube i na podobne video z Finska - belokur vysel ze stromovi na silnici a motal se kolem nohou kameramana jako pejsek, holt nekdy se priroda chova prazvlastne :-)

    ReplyQuote
  • 2011-05-08 18:35:15 | | Štěpán Mikulka

    Ten Karel tě chce naštvat, co:-)? Jestli jsou tak ostražítí, jako tetřívci, tak to ještě asi dá fušku něco vyfotit. Zážitek ale určitě bezvadnej Jirko. Díky za počtení a hodně štěstí při dalších norských pozorováních.

    ReplyQuote
  • 2011-05-13 09:47:21 | Jirka

    Diky Stepane, stalo to rozhodne za to, byl to vpodstate vylet na soulacku takze jsem rad i za to, kdybych tam lezel pul dne a nehybal se, pravdepodobne bych se k nim dostal bliz ale momentalne nemam vubec cas jak uz to tak chodi. Ptaci jsou ostrazitejsi nez mistni tetrivci ale zase mene ostraziti, nez tetrivci cesti :-) Na pristi zimu bych chtel pripravit ten zasyp jak jsi mi radil. Mej se skvele.

    ReplyQuote
  • 2011-05-31 20:20:37 | Tommy Sørensen

    Mange flotte bilder!!
    Liker godt landskapsbildet.
    Og rypebildene er også flotte. Rypene er flotte på denne tida.

    Tommy S

    ReplyQuote
  • 2011-06-14 22:11:13 | Jiri

    Many thanks for your visit Tommy, yes they are beautiful in winter plumage, maybe it was already too late, I love when they are completely in white. I will try next year. Good luck with your tours / lykke til med din turer

    ReplyQuote
  • 2018-01-31 06:23:44 | hjgj  - dfhggfhj

    tours and travel ideas
    travel leisure tips
    travelling policies
    ideal travel plan
    get travel alerts
    global business travelling
    faculty of lawyers
    law and regulations
    legal law center
    find rated lawyers
    lawyer legal practice
    choose attorney lawyer
    expert business advices
    top business analysis
    get business backup
    securebusiness solution
    launch dream business
    todays business demand
    mini home tricks
    smart homes trend
    ideal living home
    homes decorating idea
    awesome diy home decor
    finance capital help
    micro finance saving

    ReplyQuote
  • 2018-01-31 06:26:33 | hjgj  - dfgfh

    tours and travel ideas
    travel leisure tips
    travelling policies
    ideal travel plan
    get travel alerts
    global business travelling
    faculty of lawyers
    law and regulations
    legal law center
    find rated lawyers
    lawyer legal practice
    choose attorney lawyer
    expert business advices
    top business analysis
    get business backup
    securebusiness solution
    launch dream business
    todays business demand
    mini home tricks
    smart homes trend
    ideal living home
    homes decorating idea
    awesome diy home decor
    finance capital help
    micro finance saving

    ReplyQuote
  • 2018-06-05 08:21:00 | amazon müller trikot  - amazon müller trikot

    Merely uploading your main purchase, You are investing buy this guidance tool from the vendor if you're gaining prospective buyer. You read and be in agreeement the worldwide delivery workout affiliate agreement parts in completely new pane or even tabs. Importance expense historically quotation perhaps may be be governed by change within the event you expand you most possible put money on portion..

    Regarding size boasts <b>calendario de futbol</b> relevant manners chores, tax, Broker together premiums. This type of money is be more responsive to change and soon you make rate. The local <b>maillot de foot personnalise</b> surf forecast in an Maglie Calcio Poco Prezzo european union customer mention <i><b>amazon müller trikot</b></i> apart from united kingdom, Transfer value-added [url=http://www.handysuperguenstig.d...

    ReplyQuote
  • 2018-06-22 03:10:42 | | Coach Outlet Online Store  - Coach Outlet Online Store

    If you have a woman in your life, or you are shopping for yourself, then you probably know all about click here. Through the help of some well known celebrity endorsers and word of mouth among fashion conscious women, coach outlet online have become their most popular selling item. Here are just a few places where you can find cheap Coach Outlet Online Store. You can find a plethora of styles and colors of the famous coach outlet store online available to bid on and in some cases. Another fantastic place to look for deals is at site that acts as outlets for Coach Outlet Store Online. These coach factory outlet will be authentic, in brand new or nearly new condition, and will usually be offered at steep ...

    ReplyQuote
  • 2018-12-24 10:11:12 | | tajmahalset

    کیف پول

    تولیدی کیف زنانه

    خرید عمده کیف

    ReplyQuote
  • 2018-12-29 04:11:58 | jane  - JANE

    maglie calcio a poco prezzo
    maglie calcio poco prezzo
    maglie calcio 2018
    maglie italia
    maglie calcio a poco prezzo
    maglie calcio poco prezzo
    maglie calcio 2018
    maglie italia
    maglie calcio a poco prezzo
    maglie calcio poco prezzo
    maglie calcio 2018
    maglie italia
    maglie calcio a poco prezzo
    maglie calcio poco prezzo
    maglie calcio 2018
    maglie italia
    maglie calcio a poco prezzo 2018
    maglie calcio poco prezzo 2018

    ReplyQuote
  • 2020-02-12 19:35:26 | | Custom Essay Writing UK  - Custom Essay Writing UK

    These are the best thing to remind the people because it is now a global issue to cut the forest which causes warming in the globalization and we have written the blog just like Custom Essay Writing UK

    ReplyQuote
  • 2020-02-24 07:32:56 | Samantha Charles  - Laptop Rental New York

    Thank you very much for sharing such a useful article. Will definitely saved and revisit your site https://oneworldrental.com/laptop-rentals-usa

    ReplyQuote
  • 2020-02-26 12:19:19 | cattyvince  - Catty

    Thanks for sharing this amazing post, keep sharing with us.

    [urlhttps://oneworldrental.co.uk/laptop-hire
    ]https://oneworldrental.co.uk/laptop-hire
    [/url]

    ReplyQuote
  • 2020-10-04 10:51:58 | | cheap yeezy shoes  - cheap yeezy shoes

    Simply stats are distributed to facebook or myspace if you can't engage this offer. Not results are distributed to Paypal should you not build relationships this include. (Online privacy)HubPages search for AnalyticsThis is utilized to present specifics up visitors to our world wide web site, All physically identifyable details are anonymized. (tags: Michael Kors Purses Outlet, Coach Bags Clearance, Cheap Yeezy Shoes, Yeezy Boost 360)

    ReplyQuote
  • 2020-11-26 08:46:54 | albert  - albert sinclair

    I loved the post, keep posting interesting posts. I will be a regular reader...


    [url=https://usaleatherjackets.com/erik-killmonger-black-panther-blue-leather- vest]Erik Killmonger Black Panther Armor Style Leather Vest Costume[/url]

    ReplyQuote
  • 2021-04-25 05:42:22 | | hsc result  - hsc result

    Get all Bangladesh education board result, Exam Routine, National University Result, HSC Result 2021, Alim Result 2021, JSC result 2021, HSC Admission Result, University Admission Circular, IPO Result 2021, Government Job in Bangladesh, and education news from our Government official website: Student or Candidate first & easily online University admission, Admit Card download, admission result, apply & download from our official website. https://allresultbd24.com

    ReplyQuote
  • 2023-12-14 03:50:22 | | e bingo online  - e bingo online

    Excellent to the point article and news.. Well appreciated, My sites: e bingo online

    ReplyQuote

Write comment

[b] [i] [u] [s] [url] [quote] [code] [img]   

Security

Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.