Oh so close to a lifer....

STOP PRESS--Tormod has just confirmed that the Barred Warbler was, as suspected, a first for the Finnmark region--niceness!!

I've been banging on about the variation in the birds on offer on previous posts--and today was no exception. It was a cold morning so we decided to hold fire and didn't open the nets until things warmed up a little. It quickly became apparent that there wasn't a lot about although there were one or two short bursts of visible migration; but nothing sustained.
The result was that we struggled to reach a creditable 205, with no particularly noteworthy species, although it is always nice to catch a few waders and Lapland Bunting. The stand-out species in many ways this visit has been Bluethroat. Today we caught another 33 new birds bringing the total for our 5 days so far to a stunning 189. To put this in context; last year we caught 135, and in 2012 we caught 194--both totals refer to a 13 day catching period.
This has given us plenty of time to clean up, prepare for dinner, do some serious shopping, and catch up with a few z's. Our Dutch friends Petra and Frank again showed up at a very welcome time with tea, coffee and biscuits-and some good info on a potentially cool place to catch a particularly cool bird. I will report in due course if it works out.
Oh--I'd better explain the title of todays post. A call from the nearby hedge indicated a woodpecker was close, and when it flew onto a wooden telegraph post it revealed itself as a White Backed/ Three Toed pecker. I shot down to the nets and switched on the relevant track, which brought the bird to within a few feet of the net. At which point the iPod ran out of juice, and the bird ran out of patience. Those who know me will realise that I may have cursed under my breath at this point.....
However, it's very encouraging to know that they are in the area so I hope we get another chance. The weather looks brilliant for tomorrow--quite warm still and cloudy so let's hope the birds oblige. Charlie took no pics today so here are a few extras from previous days:-

Here's a nice view of a small group of typical waders that we have been trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to catch. Dunlin in front, then Ringed Plover withLittle Stint in the background.

A stunning male Bluethroat-this is the northern or red-spotted form and you can just about see the faint red on the throat above the blue area. One of the key species of this year's trip so far.

 This is a Red-Throated Pipit, showing -unusually at this time of year-a reddish throat patch. This species has been less common than in the previous 2 visits.

This is an unusual view of the iconic Nesseby church to show the old fish drying frame which is so typical of many villages in this part of the world. Doubters please note the beautiful blue sky!

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