Holmestrand, Vestfold & Telemark, Norway 20th & 22nd January 2020

When studying the images of Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula taken at Holmestrand harbour it was possible to separate adult females from a second year female and a second year male by head pattern. Most bird guides refer to plumage differences in the wing coverts to age female plumaged individuals, which may be difficult to observe in the field.

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Adult female: Typical round head form, bright eye and dark bill with yellow tip

Second year female: Smaller slightly less rounded head, dark eye and dark bill with paler tip.

Second year male: Pointed head shape, dark eye and all dark bill. 

In addition, some paler feathers beginning to appear behind bill

Adult male.

Spotted Sandpiper / Flekksnipe Actitis macularius – second year at Hvaler, Østfold, Norway on 9th January 2020

Waders have always been a sought-after photo subject, and the rarer the species, the more desirable it becomes. To photograph this cool bird was no exception and well worth the trip to Ørekroken on Kirkøy in Østfold. Although very rare in Norway, Spotted Sandpiper’s occur annually in Europe and most commonly as autumn first year birds. This second-year individual can easily be aged by the upper side and tertiary’s feather barring (dark subterminal band with white outermost).