lazza
Well-known member
I was in Norway this week for work, and finished my meetings a little earlier than expected. So I headed to Gardermoen airport, and carried on going north a little, coming off the motorway at Råholt and heading to the south end of Hurdalsjøen lake.
As it was cold and snowy, and the lake was mostly (but not completely) frozen, there was not much bird life around, with just a few bullfinch and tits in the trees to show for half an hour out in the cold! Then, just as I was leaving - and back in the car - a large raptor flew in from the north.
Although it was visible for a minute or so, it was quite distant, so I am not absolutely sure of the identification (and I am still learning!). Initially, as it came into view, I thought it was a heron because of its size, but viewing through my mini-binoculars, it was clearly a raptor. It was almost entirely dark brown, with some hints of paler brown and possibly two faint white patches on the under-wing. The most noticeable feature, however, were very distinctly spread out "fingers", which curled up slightly when it soared.
So, does this sound right for a golden eagle? Is it possible (or likely) in this region and area?
As it was cold and snowy, and the lake was mostly (but not completely) frozen, there was not much bird life around, with just a few bullfinch and tits in the trees to show for half an hour out in the cold! Then, just as I was leaving - and back in the car - a large raptor flew in from the north.
Although it was visible for a minute or so, it was quite distant, so I am not absolutely sure of the identification (and I am still learning!). Initially, as it came into view, I thought it was a heron because of its size, but viewing through my mini-binoculars, it was clearly a raptor. It was almost entirely dark brown, with some hints of paler brown and possibly two faint white patches on the under-wing. The most noticeable feature, however, were very distinctly spread out "fingers", which curled up slightly when it soared.
So, does this sound right for a golden eagle? Is it possible (or likely) in this region and area?