Early spring up north is an uncertain business! As we went to Andøya the last week of April we were hit by a second winter.

Good to see that the Common Cranes (trane) was back on their breeding grounds, even if they had to find food under a fresh layer of snow.

The migration of Pink-footed Geese (kortnebbgås) was on hold due to the cold weather, but we found a few flocks around.

Andøya is a hotspot for Short-eared Owls (jordugle), and a handful was already back for the breeding season.

Most gulls were gone since the peak fishing season is over, but a single adult Glaucous Gull (polarmåke) was still hanging around in the harbour.

A good number of Bar-tailed Godwits (lappspove) on migration was feeding along the shores.

In the small lake Kleivatnet in Andenes, several pairs of Slavonian Grebes (horndykker) were back marking their territories. 

Lekking males of Willow Ptarmigan (lirype) could be seen and heard all around the island.