Old friends back in the Vestfjord

From the 1980'ies and up to 2006 Killer Whales where a regular sight in the Vestfjord between the mainland and the Lofoten Islands, as they followed the herring to their wintering grounds from October. But then the herring decided to change their migration route, and started wintering in the open sea in the north-west, and with them the Killer Whales disappeared.
However - every now and then the Killer Whales come by on «scouting trips» to check out if there are any signs of herring in the fjord. And last week they where here - a group of some 20 animals - some of them well known individuals from twenty years ago!

September at Røst

Røst is widely known for its seabird colonies. For many birders, however, the fall migration is the most interesting period on this remote island. Situated far off the Lofoten Islands, Røst becomes a magnet for rare, out-of-course migrants.
When I visited the island in September, we combined the search for passerines on the main island Røstlandet with a pelagic trip to the waters off Skomvær lighthouse.

Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) are gathering everywhere on the island, and
seems to like it around the sheep. Stær.

The siberian Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus) is regular on
fall migration at Røst - gulbrynsanger

A group of first year Red Knots (Calidris canutus) - polar sniper

First year Pomarine Skua (Stercorarius pomarinus) at Skomvær - polarjo

A couple of Sooty Shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) showed up around
the boat off Skomvær - grålire

A soon as we had loaded some chum in the water, the Fulmars
(Fulmarus glacialis) showed up around the boat - havhest

A first year Greater Black-backed gull (Larus marinus) - svartbak

August in Lofoten: shorebird migration.

Late August is the peak period for migrating waders in the Lofoten Islands, and with right weather conditions the numbers can be rather good:

A first year male Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) - brushane

A flock of Curlew Sandpipers (Calidris ferruginea) - tundrasniper

Little Stint (Calidris minuta) was the dominating species on the mudflats
this August, with flocks up to hundreds - dvergsnipe

A Little Stint (Calidris minuta) deeply consentrated in search for food
- dvergsnipe