Got back last night from a week-long family trip to Sweden. Sweden is a wonderful country. We landed at V\u00e4ster\u00e5s and drove from there up north. First night we stayed near Sandvik, second near Bispg\u00e5rden and then we reached our destination – Lule\u00e5 in the far north of Sweden. Lots of driving…From a family point of view it was a great holiday – weather was perfect, we did lots of outdoor stuff and got to know special people.<\/p>\n
From a wildlife point of view I could have achieved more. At this time of year, best hours for birding are between 22:00 and 04:00. Because of all the driving I did, and long days of family stuff, I could afford only one night of proper birding. Other times when I was outdoors during hours when normal people are awake were rather quiet, and light conditions were horrible.<\/p>\n
However, all in all, I saw some stuff and enjoyed the common birds Sweden has to offer. I enjoyed seeing in good numbers migrants that are doing pretty bad in England. Red-backed Shrikes, Pied Flycatcher and Willow Warbler were present at almost every stop in the south and centre. Pied Flycatchers were breeding in almost every nestbox I saw.<\/p>\n
Pied Flycatcher<\/p>\n
Heading up north, a short stop at the lovely nature reserve \u00c5lsj\u00f6n was productive with breeding Whooper Swans and Slavonian Grebes.<\/p>\n Lule\u00e5 is a special town, with lots of wildlife in it. Urban birding with Arctic Terns and Whimbrel can’t be bad.<\/p>\n Arctic Tern<\/p>\n Whimbrel – taken at 00:45 without flash…<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Lx5A6hLr2m8\/Wz6Nnn4wzsI\/AAAAAAAAQwM\/mtmagJa1Mv8b3vHZsdsCzigb7xa_R_FGwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/pied%2Bflycatcher1.jpg\" "\\"\\"")