In mid may, on my way to my relatives, I visited Lake Kvismaren during 24 hours. Since I wanted to see as much as possible during a limited time period, I focused on birding instead of photographing. The first day, starting at 2 o'clock I saw a lot of Little Gulls, 48 too be precise, as well as Black terns, Great reed-wablers, Slavonian grebes, Black-tailed godwit and other waders. In the evening I was lucky enough to spot the Little white-fronted goose which had been present around the lake for a while. It was actually the first one for me, a lifer as we birders would call it. Later at night I went out to listened to some nocturnal birds. It was a lot of activity on the common birds such as Water rails and Bitterns but probably a bit early for the rarer once. Anyway, at least I year-ticked Spotted crake.
A Roe deer and roosting starlings in the last light
The next day I woke up bloody early. I unexpectedly discovered that the moon was bigger on the sky than usually, probably not as big as a supermoon of course, but still big enough to be noticeable bigger. Since the only natural satellite of earth was in it's latest phase that day, in a waning crescent, it wasn't very easy to capture but I did try. Maybe you get the feeling it's bigger, maybe you don't, that doesn't matter to me. It was very cool!
The morning went on well and I got to see more Little gulls, as well as a Penduline tit, a Ortolan bunting and the first honey buzzard for the year, at least for me. I also watched a young Peregrine falcon hunting down a Wood sandpiper in remarkable speed, and consuming it for breakfast as well of course. Very fascinating birds!
If you ever have the time, go visit Lake Kvismaren, it's an awesome place.
If you ever have the time, go visit Lake Kvismaren, it's an awesome place.
