The month of May is definitely not the same in northern and southern Norway! While May in the south is a green month when all plants find their summer coat, it is basically a month of waiting in the north.
The appearance of butterflies and migratory birds are also two different stories...
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Golden Plower (Pluvialis apricaria) on the bare fields in Lofoten 10. May,
waiting for the snow to disappear in the higher areas.
Heilo. |
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The beautiful drake Teal (Anas crecca) watches over his territory, where the
female is probably all ready brooding her eggs. Lofoten 13. May.
Krikkand |
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Female Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator), Lofoten 31. May
Siland |
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The Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) is an early arriver, and among
the first waders to start breeding. Lofoten 31. May
Sandlo |
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Not too many butterflies fly in the north in May. But suddenly, on a warm,
sunny day, the beautiful Green Hearstreak (Callophrys rubi) was flying in
great numbers. Lofoten 11. May
Grønnstjertvinge |
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In the south, several species of butterflies are flying in late May. Among
them the Swallowtail (Papilio machaon). Tjøme 25. May.
Svalestjert |
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Excited Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) is a sign of summer!
Askim 22. May.
Låvesvale |
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House Martins (Delichon urbicum) busy collecting mud for their nests.
Askim 22. May.
Taksvale |
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The song of Trush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia) is dominating the nights
and mornings along the Oslofjord in southern Norway. Tjøme 23.05.
Nattergal |
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The Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) is a close relative to the nightingale,
and often referred to as «the nightingale of the north». Lofoten 31.05 |
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The Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) arrives Northern Norway from Africa
in May. It have to accept that the trees are still not green at the start of
the breeding season. Lofoten 27. May.
Svarthvit fluesnapper. |
